Buildings over 50,000 sq ft must undergo a professional energy audit and retro-commissioning study every 10 years. The compliance year for a given building is determined by the last digit of its tax block number — this creates a rolling 10-year cycle that staggers filings citywide. Findings must be filed with the NYC Department of Buildings.
A comprehensive assessment by a licensed professional engineer (PE) or registered architect (RA), following ASHRAE Level II audit standards. Covers HVAC, lighting, building envelope, hot water systems, and controls. Identifies where energy is wasted and recommends upgrades. Capital investment is not required to pass.
A systematic process to ensure existing systems operate as efficiently as possible — without capital investment. Focuses on calibration, controls tuning, and operational adjustments. A trained retro-commissioning agent identifies "no-cost" and "low-cost" improvements. Often results in 5–15% energy reduction.
Your compliance year is the year that ends in the same digit as the last digit of your building's tax block number. For example: tax block 3456 → last digit 6 → compliance year is any year ending in 6 (2016, 2026, 2036, etc.).
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Failure to file energy audit and retro-commissioning report by Dec 31 of compliance year | $3,000/year until filed |
| Materially deficient report | $3,000 + correction required |