Energy Conservation Code

The New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) is comprised of New York City local laws and the current Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State (ECCCNYS). By State law, all local government Energy Codes, including the NYCECC, must be more stringent than the ECCCNYS.

• 2020 NYC Energy Conservation Code
• 2016 NYC Energy Conservation Code
• 2014 NYC Energy Conservation Code
• 2011 NYC Energy Conservation Code

2020 NYC Energy ConservationCode

2020 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State (2020 ECCNYS), based on the 2018 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1-2016, became effective on May 12th, 2020. Adopted as Local Law 048 of 2020 (Introduction No. 1816), the 2020 New York City Energy Conservation Code (2020 NYCECC), based on the 2020 ECCCNYS, aligns with certain provisions of the NYSERDA NYStretch Energy Code-2020 (as required by Local Law 32 of 2018), and further modified, also became effective on May 12th, 2020.

• Aligning with NYSERDA’s NYStretch Energy Code-2020 by aligning with the following provisions:
  • Continuous insulation for balconies and parapets
  • Mandatory supply ventilation provided with energy or heat recovery devices on homes and multifamily buildings 3-stories and less
  • More efficient interior lighting power requirements
  • Additional lighting controls
  • Additional thermal envelope performance requirements for buildings choosing to comply with energy modeling
  • More stringent insulation and fenestration requirements for most assembly types
  • Allowing source energy as a metric, instead of energy cost, for buildings choosing to comply with energy modeling
  • Efficient design of service water heating distribution systems in one- and two-family homes and multifamily buildings 3 stories and less
  • Whole building energy monitoring on commercial buildings
  • Efficiency measures for certain traction elevators and commercial kitchen equipment
  • Infrastructure for the future installation of electric vehicle chargers in one- and two-family homes
  • Adopting local provisions from Advisory Committee
    • Documentation of certain linear and point thermal bridges for all new construction
    • Requiring more new construction projects to perform air leakage testing
    • Increased HVAC efficiency to align with federal requirements
    • Requiring more alteration projects to perform commissioning

    Application Submittal

    • Applications filed on or after May 12th 2020, will be subject to the 2020 NYCECC. Complete applications filed on or before May 11th, 2020 will be subject to the 2016 NYCECC.
      NOTE: Complete applications are those that meet the submittal requirements of Buildings Bulletin 2020-002 and include a complete energy analysis.
    • Incomplete applications filed on or before May 11th, 2020, may be subject to the 2020 NYCECC.

    Local Law 048 of 2020 (Introduction No. 1816) may be found on the New York City Council’s website. A published hard copy version can be purchased at the City Store and ICC website, and is also viewable on this webpage.

    Applicability

    The 2020 NYCECC applies to completed job applications filed on or after May 12th, 2020. All completed job applications filed on or before May 11th, 2020 can continue review under the 2016 NYCECC.

    Application Types Not Regulated by the Energy Code

    Full demolition, sign and subdivision applications are not required to comply with the NYCECC. However, sign applications that affect a building’s envelope must be accompanied by an alteration application for the envelope work, which must comply with the NYCECC.

    Variances

    Under Article 11 of the New York State Energy Law, only the Secretary of State has the authority to grant variances from the provisions of the NYCECC that align with the State Energy Code. Contact the Department of State’s Division of Building Standards and Codes for an application for variance by email at energy.code.support@dos.ny.gov. The application form is also available on the Department of State’s website. For variances or waivers from provisions of the Energy Code that are more stringent than the State Energy Code, please follow the process outlined on the Determination Requests webpage to submit a Construction Codes Determination (CCD1) request to the Department.

    Software for Energy Analysis

    REScheck, COMcheck, and DOE2-based software can be used to conduct the energy analysis and are available for free at the US Department of Energy and may be used as follows:

    • REScheck: The full report shall be provided, including the building envelope, HVAC/service water heating. The New York City version must be used. The IECC version of REScheck is not acceptable
    • COMcheck: Depending on whether you use NYCECC or Appendix CA (modified ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016) for compliance, the respective version of COMcheck should be used. Use the 2020 NYCECC version for ECC compliance and the 2020 NYCECC Appendix CA (modified ASHRAE 90.1-2016) version or the 2020 NYCECC Appendix CA Modeling Envelope Backstop for compliance with that standard.
    • Energy Modeling: For more complex energy modeling, including where trade-offs among disciplines, a DOE2-based software should be used. Such software, including updates, may include DOE2.1E, VisualDOE, EnergyPlus or eQuest. Other energy modeling programs must be approved by the Secretary of State of New York and the Buildings Commissioner prior to submission.

    CURRENT Regulations

    • 1 RCNY §5000-01 – Energy Code Compliance Rule, Including Progress Inspections UPDATED
    • [Red line version]
    • 1 RCNY §5000-02 – Corrections and Amendments to ASHRAE 90.1-2013 UPDATED
    • [Red line version]
    • 1 RCNY §101-07(c)(3) – Approved Agencies Rule – Progress Inspectors UPDATED
      [Red line version]

    Superseded Regulations

    • 1 RCNY §5000-01 – Energy Code Compliance Rule, Including Progress Inspections – Aligned to the 2016 NYCECC
    • 1 RCNY §5000-01 – Energy Code Compliance Rule, Including Progress Inspections – Aligned to the 2014 NYCECC
    • 1 RCNY §5000-02 – Corrections and Amendments to ASHRAE 90.1-2013 – Aligned to the 2016 NYCECC
      [Red line version]
    • 1 RCNY §101-07(c)(3) – Approved Agencies Rule – Progress Inspectors – Aligned to the 2016 NYCECC and the prior NYCECC

    2020 NYCECC

    • 2020-007 – Envelope Buildings Bulletin
    • 2020-008 – Lighting/Power Buildings Bulletin
    • 2020-009 – HVAC/Service Hot Water Buildings Bulletin

    2016 NYCECC

    • 2017-004 – Lighting/Power Buildings Bulletin
    • 2017-005 – HVAC/Service Hot Water Buildings Bulletin
    • 2017-006 – Envelope Buildings Bulletin

    Reference Guides

    2020 NYCECC

    • Comparison of Mechanical Sections: 2016 NYCECC vs. 2020 NYCECC
    • 2016 - 2020 NYC Energy Conservation Code Progress Inspections Comparison Table
    • Wall UA Template
      • Wall UA Template
      • Instructions for Wall UA Template
      • Wall UA Template Example
      • 2020 NYCECC Residential Tabular Analysis
      • 2020 NYCECC Commercial Tabular Analysis
      • 2020 NYCECC Appendix CA (Amendment to ASHRAE 90.1-2016) Tabular Analysis
      • General
      • Building Envelope
      • Mechanical Systems
      • Lighting & Electrical Power
      • Other Requirements

      2016 NYCECC

      • Energy Code Tabular Analysis (March 2018 Version)
      • Energy Code: Supporting Documents How to Guides (December 2017 Version)
        • General
        • Building Envelope
        • Mechanical Systems
        • Lighting & Electrical Power
        • Other Requirements

        2014/2011 NYCECC

        • Energy Code Tabular Analysis (2011 Version)
        • Energy Analysis How to Guide (August 2012 Version)
        • Energy Code: Supporting Documents How to Guide (August 2012 Version)

        Reference Tools

        • Training Modules & Technical Assistance
        • What Codes, Rules, & Forms Apply When
        • Required Documents for Construction Sign-off
        • Energy Code Performance Pilot Program

        Additional Information

        • Resolving Energy Code Violations
        • Energy Audits & Retro-Commissioning
        • Benchmarking
        • Sustainability
        • Sustainability Boards
        • Code Presentations

        Helpful Links

        • Frequently Asked Questions(including DOB NOW FAQs)
        • Energy Code Forms
        • Information for Homeowners
        • Professional Statement