Sustainability Services & Energy Consulting
KOW Building Consultants provides sustainability consulting services that help owners, developers, and lenders improve building performance while meeting regulatory and financing requirements. We support projects at every stage by integrating energy efficiency, resilience, and long-term operational planning into the decision-making process.
Our team delivers practical, data-driven guidance across sustainability programs, energy modeling, and capital planning. From incentive-driven programs and green financing support to certifications and commissioning, we help clients reduce environmental impact, optimize lifecycle costs, and maximize available incentives—without losing sight of project feasibility or financial goals.
Sustainability Consulting Services
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Email: incoming@kowbc.com
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Phone: (855) 966-5888
Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 8:00 pm EST
Why Sustainability Services Matter for Developers and Housing Partners
When sustainability requirements are overlooked or mismanaged, the consequences can be costly:
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Loss of eligibility for local or state funding
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Delayed closings due to incomplete EGC or IPNA documentation
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Missed incentive opportunities (NYSERDA, ENERGY STAR, etc.)
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Non-compliance with building codes or energy requirements
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Costly retrofits or redesigns late in the project timeline
Green building requirements are more than just checkboxes—they directly impact timelines, budgets, and long-term operational performance. From Enterprise Green Communities to Passive House and NYCECC compliance, sustainability expectations are now baked into nearly every affordable housing and multifamily project in NYC and beyond.
Our team helps you plan ahead, meet program requirements, and avoid downstream delays—providing the extra layer of oversight that funders, regulators, and owners increasingly expect.
Our Core Sustainability Services
Our services address a wide range of management risks that can arise across project phases.
Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) Consulting – Nationwide
We guide teams through every stage of the EGC process, including:
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Full project walkthroughs aligned with EGC 2020 and NYC Overlay
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Credit documentation strategy and submission support
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Coordination with design teams to integrate sustainable strategies early
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Ongoing compliance tracking through construction and closeout
We work on both new construction and substantial rehab projects, and specialize in LIHTC and affordable housing portfolios seeking EGC certification.
Passive House Verification & Consulting
As certified Passive House consultants and verifiers, KOW supports high-performance building projects with:
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Feasibility studies for Passive House certification
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Coordination with CPHCs, design teams, and contractors
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On-site verification and documentation
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Passive House overlays for EGC and NYSERDA-funded projects
We work with developers pursuing PHI or PHIUS certification, including those participating in NYSERDA’s Carbon Neutral Portfolio Standard (CNPS) and HPD's sustainability programs.
Integrated Physical Needs Assessments (IPNAs)
We prepare compliant IPNAs for HPD, HDC, NYCHA, and NYSERDA projects, integrating:
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Standard physical needs assessment data
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Energy audit findings
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Water usage analysis
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Electrification and decarbonization planning
Our team understands the nuances of affordable housing funding cycles and delivers reports that are accurate, actionable, and funding-ready.
ASHRAE Energy Audits & Modeling – NYC
We perform ASHRAE Level I and II energy audits to support:
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Integrated Physical Needs Assessments (IPNAs)
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NYSERDA FlexTech studies
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Electrification readiness and energy benchmarking
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Strategic energy efficiency upgrades and funding applications
Our audits are tailored to multifamily properties and affordable housing portfolios, combining utility data, field verification, and system modeling to guide practical, cost-effective energy planning.
Additional NYC-Based Services
While EGC services are available nationwide, the following services are offered within the New York City metro area:
Energy Code Commissioning & TR-8 Inspections
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NYCECC and ECCCNYS compliance reviews
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TR-8 commissioning and progress inspections
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Testing and verification of energy systems
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Required documentation for DOB and utility programs
Electrification & Decarbonization Consulting
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Heat pump conversion studies
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Boiler commissioning & phase-out strategy
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Load calculations and electrification feasibility
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Compliance alignment with LL97 and NYSERDA FlexTech
NYSERDA Program Support
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NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program (MPP)
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FlexTech applications and audits
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ENERGY STAR Multifamily certification
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Assistance accessing incentives and grants
Local Law 97 Consulting
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Building emissions analysis and carbon limit compliance planning
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Decarbonization and electrification strategy development
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Emissions modeling and penalty exposure forecasting
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Coordination with energy upgrades, capital planning, and incentive programs
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Ongoing compliance support and reporting guidance
Local Law 87 Energy Audits & Retro-Commissioning
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ASHRAE Level II energy audits
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Retro-commissioning (RCx) studies and implementation support
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Energy conservation measure (ECM) identification and lifecycle cost analysis
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Required reporting and DOB filing support
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Alignment with LL97 compliance and capital planning strategies
Local Law 84 Benchmarking & Reporting
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Annual energy and water benchmarking using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
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Data collection, validation, and submission to NYC DOB
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Portfolio-level benchmarking support for owners with multiple assets
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Performance tracking to support LL97 and sustainability goals
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Ongoing compliance monitoring and advisory support
Why Work with KOW's Sustainability Team?
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Affordable Housing Experts: Deep experience with HPD, HDC, NYSERDA, and EGC requirements
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Multifamily Focus: Specialists in both low-rise and high-rise developments
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Design Through Construction Support: We engage from early schematic phases through project closeout
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Nationally Available EGC Guidance: Supporting clients across the U.S. with documentation, team training, and certification
