Case Study
Stories about New Yorkers leading the clean energy transition in their own homes.
How-To
Tenant power heats up
How one rent-stabilized building organized to demand heating upgrades
Clean Energy
All-electrics aren’t all created equal
What’s right for your building — heat pumps, or electric resistance heaters?
Case Study
In the South Bronx, this co-op sets a high standard
How one working-class cooperative took an incremental approach to improving efficiency, and found savings along the way
Ask an Expert
“You have to break it down so that it can be understood by a third grader”
A Q&A with Martin Robertson, a Brooklyn-based facilities manager, on how to push for progress in a big building
reports on the clean energy challenge happening right now in New York, illustrating how New Yorkers are tackling decarbonization at home: In their apartments, co-ops, and houses.
Getting Started
Explainer
What is Local Law 97?
Skylight’s all-in-one explainer of New York City’s landmark building decarbonization law — and what it means for the city’s residential buildings.
Efficiency
Sealing in the benefits of energy efficiency
Project designers explain why air sealing is a crucial component of any energy efficiency project
Financing
Making it make cents
A Q&A with Jay Merves on green financing options for different types of homeowners
Ask a Cooperator
“Read the F*cking Manual!”
A Q&A with Chris McGinnis, a former IBM worker and longtime co-op resident who made it his mission to learn how buildings work so he could make his own more efficient
Going Big
Profile
Getting under the hood with Derek K. Jones
What drove this South Bronx cooperator to lead his building toward solar and more
Case Study
Pilot light: HDFC co-op pioneers a new strategy for air-source heat pumps
Inside the pilot program that helped this LMI Manhattan co-op lean less heavily on #2 heating oil
Profile
Eric Bluestone talks solar strategy
Bluestone, president at the Bluestone Organization, is putting solar anywhere he can
Clean Energy
Out of the china cabinet and onto the façade
Cutting-edge porcelain tiles offer durability and low maintenance for Manhattan co-op
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Edition 5 March 2025
Case Study
Pilot light: HDFC co-op pioneers a new strategy for air-source heat pumps
Inside the pilot program that helped this LMI Manhattan co-op lean less heavily on #2 heating oil
Efficiency
Sealing in the benefits of energy efficiency
Project designers explain why air sealing is a crucial component of any energy efficiency project
Cool Tech
Controlling for comfort — and for cost
New air-source heat pumps offer residents an increased level of control, but also shift who’s paying for the heat
Tips and Tricks
Tips from Tom Sahagian
An energy aficionado offers advice on how to make the switch to more renewable technology
