Sustainability Services & Energy Consulting
At KOW Building Consultants, we provide expert sustainability consulting tailored for developers, affordable housing teams, architects, and commercial building owners. We support projects across New York City—and nationwide for Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) certification—with a focus on regulatory compliance, program incentives, and long-term performance.
Whether you're working on new construction or a retrofit, we help you achieve green building goals without compromising your timeline or budget.
Sustainability Consulting
Sustainable building practices are key to long-term efficiency, compliance, and environmental responsibility. Our team specializes in helping clients reduce environmental impact while optimizing performance, and maximizing incentives.
IPNA (formerly GPNA)
EGC Certification
Energy Star Certification
Capital Needs Assessment
Local Law 84 Benchmarking
NYSERDA Incentives
Feasibility Studies
Commissioning
TR8 Inspections
Other Services
Why Sustainability Services Matter for Developers and Housing Partners
When sustainability requirements are overlooked or mismanaged, the consequences can be costly:
-
Loss of eligibility for local or state funding
-
Delayed closings due to incomplete EGC or IPNA documentation
-
Missed incentive opportunities (NYSERDA, ENERGY STAR, etc.)
-
Non-compliance with building codes or energy requirements
-
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.
Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) Consulting – Nationwide
We guide teams through every stage of the EGC process, including:
-
Full project walkthroughs aligned with EGC 2020 and NYC Overlay
-
Credit documentation strategy and submission support
-
Coordination with design teams to integrate sustainable strategies early
-
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:
-
Feasibility studies for Passive House certification
-
Coordination with CPHCs, design teams, and contractors
-
On-site verification and documentation
-
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:
-
Standard physical needs assessment data
-
Energy audit findings
-
Water usage analysis
-
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:
-
Integrated Physical Needs Assessments (IPNAs)
-
NYSERDA FlexTech studies
-
Electrification readiness and energy benchmarking
-
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.
Energy Code Commissioning & TR-8 Inspections
-
NYCECC and ECCCNYS compliance reviews
-
TR-8 commissioning and progress inspections
-
Testing and verification of energy systems
-
Required documentation for DOB and utility programs
Energy Code Commissioning & TR-8 Inspections
-
Heat pump conversion studies
-
Boiler commissioning & phase-out strategy
-
Load calculations and electrification feasibility
-
Compliance alignment with LL97 and NYSERDA FlexTech
NYSERDA Program Support
-
NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program (MPP)
-
FlexTech applications and audits
-
ENERGY STAR Multifamily certification
-
Assistance accessing incentives and grants
Why Work with KOW?
Need help with green building documentation, compliance, or incentives?
Email Us: incoming@kowbc.com
Call Us: (855) 966-5888
-
Affordable Housing Experts: Deep experience with HPD, HDC, NYSERDA, and EGC requirements
-
Multifamily Focus: Specialists in both low-rise and high-rise developments
-
Design Through Construction Support: We engage from early schematic phases through project closeout
-
Nationally Available EGC Guidance: Supporting clients across the U.S. with documentation, team training, and certification