NYS launches $12M heat recovery program to modernize buildings | Long Island Business News

New York State has launched a $12 million program to modernize commercial, multifamily, institutional and other buildings across the state.

The “Heat Recovery Program” focuses on decarbonization and retrofit projects that reuse heat to save energy and reduce fossil fuel use in buildings. Through heat recovery, buildings can recuperate wasted heat and either reuse it or store it for later use, according to the state. This effort, according to officials, would help the state in its goal to reduce greenhouse emission by 85% by 2050.

“New York’s robust statewide decarbonization efforts are bringing forward innovative and replicable approaches to lowering building emissions and combatting climate change,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a written statement.

“Through this new initiative using heat recovery, we will help increase the adoption of heat recovery solutions, make building operations more affordable, and promote a healthier living environment for more New Yorkers across the state,” she added.

The program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. It features open-enrollment funding, which is available to projects in existing commercial, multifamily, institutional and industrial buildings across the state.

For awarded projects, except for low-to-moderate income multifamily housing, NYSERDA will provide up to a 75% cost share, with maximum awards of $40,000 for the production of heat recovery opportunity assessments, and $80,000 for the development of design and construction plans for heat recovery projects.

Heat recovery projects will include the capture and transfer of rejected heat to lower the energy used by other systems, such as heat rejected and captured from cooling and dehumidification, ventilation exhaust or wastewater processes.

Low-to-moderate income multifamily housing is eligible for up to 100% cost share, and NYSERDA will dedicate $3 million of the total funding exclusively for projects in low-to-moderate multifamily housing buildings.

“NYSERDA is pleased to add the Heat Recovery Program to its portfolio of available offerings that aim to increase energy efficiency and advance the use of new decarbonization technologies,” NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris said, in a written statement.

“Buildings, even those that are well-run, waste heat through a variety of processes including ventilation, cooling and wastewater,” she added. “Applying heat recovery to building operations lowers costs by recapturing energy that has already been paid for and reduces overall greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in safer, more sustainable living conditions.”

Applications for the Heat Recovery Program are now open, and funding will be made available on a first come, first served basis. For more information on heat recovery, including project specific case studies and program details, click here.