Due to escalating energy costs and findings contained in a recent energy audit of the Division's Mitchell-Lama housing portfolio, the New York State Division of Housing Community and Renewal (DHCR) has undertaken a number of initiatives to assist their housing developments in managing and controlling energy consumption in their properties.
One of these initiatives is a training program for the maintenance and management staffs of State-supervised housing companies and authorities. Already in progress since February, 2001, the Division is hoping that this program will lead to substantial reductions in energy consumption. The program is voluntary and consists of ten half-day sessions with a written exam, a field test and an official Certification in Energy Management Practices by DHCR.
Steven Winter Associates, an environmental and energy consulting firm, will conduct the training and certification program for housing company and authority personnel, in consultation with DHCR. Energy costs have become a significant component of housing company operating expenses in New York State, estimated by housing and ownership organizations to reach as high as 40% of total maintenance and operating costs. With recent increases in gas, oil, electricity, propane and water costs across the State, the recording and monitoring of energy/resource consumption, along with the concomitant implementation of energy-conscious maintenance programs, will help supervised housing developments to maintain their viability. It will also ensure that housing companies and authorities are better prepared for energy cost hikes such as those that many buildings endured last winter. Companies that monitor their fuel usage, particularly how their usage is affected by severe weather, are better managed buildings and will be better able to withstand the vagaries of adverse weather conditions and fuel price fluctuations.
DHCR's goal is to ensure that their housing developments understand how much energy and water they use, what it is being used for and what are the most cost-effective ways to reduce consumption, with occupant safety at the forefront.
DHCR is recommending that each housing company and authority enroll at least two participants in the training program - one person from management and one from maintenance - preferably in different classes. While the Division stresses attendance is voluntary they strongly insist on total participation claiming it "is critical in assisting us to preserve the viability of our subsidized housing stock."
The classes, conducted over a ten-week period, one half- day per week, will include eight classroom sessions and two field trip locations.
SYLLABUS
The anticipated topics to be covered are:
1. Introduction to Energy and Energy Usage
2. Heating Systems--Basic Principles
3. Water/DHW & Building Control Systems
4. In-field--Boiler Room Survey
5. Lighting and Electricity Usage
6. Building Envelope
7. In-field -- Energy, Health, and Safety Walk-Through
8. Health and Safety
9. The Building as a System--Building Science and Financing
10. Overview/Conclusions -- How to Assess/Assign Priorities in Your Building
According to Vincent Callagy, General Manager at Knickerbocker Village, a DHCR property, "The instructor clearly has a commanding knowledge of the subject, flavored with a strong seasoning of environmental activism. DHCR is to be commended for the selection of a first rate instructor and its responsiveness to the urgent energy crisis faced by its housing companies and authorities."
Elliot Ashrey, Assistant Director of Housing Management, is available to answer any questions regarding this project. He can be contacted at 212-480-7258.