Reducing Your Carbon Emissions: Controls
As buildings across New York City continue preparing for ongoing Local Law 97 (LL97) compliance, one of the most effective and overlooked strategies for reducing energy consumption — and thus carbon emissions — lies in controls.
While large-scale capital upgrades such as boiler replacements or envelope improvements can deliver significant results, optimizing how existing systems operate through modern controls technology can yield impressive efficiency gains at a fraction of the cost.
Types of Building Controls
1. Boiler Controls
Modern boiler control systems monitor indoor and outdoor temperatures, adjusting firing rates to maintain optimal efficiency. By eliminating overheating and reducing short-cycling, these systems can lower fuel consumption by 10–20%.
2. Heating and Cooling Controls
Smart thermostats, setback schedules, and zone-level sensors help maintain comfort while minimizing wasted energy. Integrating controls into existing building management systems (BMS) allows for real-time monitoring and adjustments.
3. Lighting Controls
Occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, and time-based scheduling ensure lights are used only when necessary. These systems can cut lighting-related electricity use by 30–50%.
4. Ventilation and Airflow Controls
Demand-controlled ventilation adjusts airflow based on occupancy and indoor air quality, improving both efficiency and tenant comfort.
5. Centralized Energy Management Systems
Modern BMS and cloud-based platforms consolidate building data — tracking temperature, energy use, and performance trends — enabling more informed operational decisions.
Why Controls Matter for LL97
By fine-tuning how systems run rather than replacing them outright, controls can yield measurable reductions in carbon output and lower operating costs — key advantages for buildings approaching their 2026–2030 LL97 emissions limits.
In many cases, controls projects qualify for utility incentives through Con Edison and National Grid, which can cover a portion of the installation costs and improve payback periods.
Aurora Energy Advisors works with clients to identify the most impactful control strategies for their specific systems and to coordinate with incentive programs to maximize project value.
Market Analysis
Electricity
Electricity pricing in NYISO Zone J remained steady through October, averaging $0.04 to $0.05 per kWh. Shoulder season conditions and strong renewable output have kept rates stable entering winter.
Natural Gas
NYMEX natural gas prices rose to around $2.90 per MMBtu in October amid early heating demand and storage withdrawals. Forecasts suggest moderate increases through December if temperatures trend colder than average.
Crude Oil
Crude oil futures hovered between $82 and $85 per barrel in October. Market attention remains on OPEC+ production policy and global economic conditions heading into 2026.
💡 Mitchell’s Tip: Don’t overlook controls — optimizing what you already have can deliver fast paybacks and measurable emissions reductions under LL97.
