Kathryn Farrell

New York

Editor at Habitat Magazine

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Articles

NYSERDA Funds Heat Recovery Study in Lenox Hill Co-op

Nov 21, 2024 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

A 134-unit postwar building in Lenox Hill is one of the first co-ops to tap into state funds to explore the capture and reuse of waste heat. The 12-story building at 315 East 65th St. has just begun the $40,000 study with 75% of the cost being met by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Structural Repairs Needed After Apartment Sale in South Harlem

Sep 9, 2024 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

What began as a simple apartment sale at a 160-unit HDFC in South Harlem snowballed into major structural repairs. A shareholder wanted to sell her apartment, but there was a problem: the floors were sagging. A closer look uncovered several broken beams beneath the floorboards, which was bad news for the board. “We had to rip out the entire apartment and gut it so we could get to the beams under the floor,” says Josh Koppel, president of H.S.C. Management, the company that manages the building.
Steam Trap Upgrades Save Energy and Carbon Emissions

Aug 22, 2024 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

A small but mighty device — the steam trap — is making a big impact on energy efficiency at The Cezanne, a 261-unit co-op at 61 Jane St. in the West Village. Combined with new heating controls for the boiler and a pump replacement, the traps have successfully eliminated carbon emission penalties for the building until at least 2035. “The controllers reduced our annual emissions by 67 metric tonnes and the steam traps by 82 metric tonnes,” says Ritu Chattree, the co-op’s board treasurer.
Hybrid Electrification Project Reduces Energy Use by 57% at Co-op

Jul 7, 2024 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

The International Tailoring Company Building has achieved a triple-play with hybrid electrification: cutting fossil fuel use by over 80%, reducing annual energy use by 57% and — crucially — making apartments more comfortable. Improved climate control was a key driver for the upgrades at the 173-unit East Village co-op, which enable shareholders to enjoy both heating and cooling throughout the year, something the previous system did not allow.
Interest-Free Payment Plan for Riser Replacement in West End Co-op

Jul 7, 2024 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

Faced with a major riser replacement project but without adequate reserves, the board at a luxury West End Avenue co-op is using an interest-free contractor payment plan to fund the nine-month, multimillion dollar project. This financial strategy means the monthly assessments for the project are stretched nine months beyond the expected completion date, easing the financial stress on shareholders. The move enables the much-needed work at the 45-unit building to start immediately.
Smart Radiator Covers Help Fordham Hill Oval Address Carbon Penalty

Apr 29, 2024 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

Faced with a projected six-figure annual carbon-emissions penalty starting in 2030, the board at Fordham Hill Oval, a 1,130-unit co-op in the University Heights section of the Bronx, is installing thousands of smart radiator covers to cut fines and save on energy costs. What’s more, the co-op is the first to take advantage of a no-money-down subscription payment model for the technology, making it an affordable way for the complex to meet Local Law 97 regulations.
Partial Electrification Yields Sizable Savings for Yorkville Co-op

Mar 20, 2024 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

Needing to meet Local Law 97 carbon-emission requirements and improve a lackluster D energy efficiency grade, the board at a 200-unit co-op in Yorkville is upgrading its cooling and domestic hot water systems by going electric. The project, with an estimated cost of $1.2 million, involves boosting the electrical capacity at the 20-story building, replacing an outdated absorption chiller with heat pumps, and reusing waste heat to drive the electrification of the domestic hot water system.
Co-op Electrification

Nov 4, 2023 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

The board at 420 Beekman Hill, a 110-unit co-op at 420 East 51st St., is pioneering large-scale heat pump technology to meet the city’s Local Law 97 emission requirements. The ambitious $3.2 million project will replace the building’s steam heating, cooling and hot water system with rooftop heat pumps and basement heat exchangers, something that is rarely seen on this scale in older buildings. It will enable the co-op to meet its 2049 emission goals next year.
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane - No, It’s a Drone!

Aug 9, 2023 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

In late July, Mayor Eric Adams announced new rules regarding the operation of drones within city limits. According to a statement from the mayor’s office, part of the new rules will include a permitting process administered by the New York Police Department (NYPD) and guidelines for takeoff and landing.
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane - No, It’s a Drone!

Aug 5, 2023 | habitatmag.com | Kathryn Farrell

Learn all the basics of NYC co-op and condo management, with straight talk from heavy hitters in the field of co-op or condo apartmentsProfessionals in some of the key fields of co-op and condo board governance and building management answer common questions in their areas of expertise Got elected? Are you on your co-op/condo board?