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2022 Guide To Local Law 152 - Empire Plumbing™

As building owners around NYC are returning their full time focus to work. Property management in 2022 it is time to begin thinking about inspection requirements for Local Law 152. 2022 marks the third round of LL 152 inspections, requiring all properties in NYC with natural gas to have their gas piping system inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber every four years based on the schedule outlined by the law.

With the third year of inspections, local property owners are starting to get a better understanding of the requirements of this new rule, although many still have questions. Challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic and some confusion around the implementation of Local Law 152 have also impacted the inspection schedule, resulting in deadline extensions that you need to be aware of.

Our 2022 guide goes in depth on what is expected from New York City properties in regards to local law 152 this year. We will go over what Local Law 152 is, benefits of lead generation virtual assistant what properties are included in this year's inspection cycle, and what to know if you were impacted by the recent extension to the 2021 inspection deadline. If you need someone to provide an LL 152 gas inspection in 2022, contact the master plumbers at Empire Plumbing at (718)494-7301 or (917)642-3041.

First passed in 2016, Local Law 152 went into effect in 2020. The law was created in response to a series of disasters that occurred due to improperly installed natural gas plumbing. The goal of this rule is to use regular inspections of NYC properties that use natural gas power to identify any potential problems and take immediate action. A Licensed Master Plumber in NYC must complete the LL 152 inspection. Any repairs that are determined to be needed during the inspection. The LMP will also work with the property owner to submit all necessary paperwork to the NYC Department of Housing, certifying that the inspection has been completed, outlining any issues, and detailing what repairs were made. Currently the inspection cycle is once every four years. The schedule is based on community district. We will go into more detail on the breakdown in which districts are included for this upcoming year's deadline.

The important part is to be sure that you have the inspection done in the required year. Failing to comply with Local Law 152 guidelines can result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000 and any issues can involve an interruption to gas service at your residential or commercial property.

2022 Community Districts Due for a Local Law 152 Inspection

Local Law 152 outlines an inspection schedule determined by community district. Each year, specific community districts in every borough of NYC need to complete their inspection. For 2022, the districts included are:

- Community District 4 - Community District 6 - Community District 8 - Community District 9 - Community District 16

If you own property in any of these districts in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Staten Island you will need to make time to schedule an inspection with a Licensed Master Plumber sometime this year.

For building owners who are unsure which district they live in, you can find your specific district on the NYC community district profile website. Simply type in your address and it will tell you your district number within your borough. You can also check out this map of the various community districts.

Other properties that will need to conduct a gas piping system inspection this calendar year include any that will be installing or resuming gas service for the first time, regardless of the scheduled inspection year for your community district.

Community Districts Included in the 2021 Local Law 152 Extension

2022 is also unique for Local Law 152 in that the deadline for the previous year was extended. Due to various challenges with the pandemic in regards to scheduling inspections, the City Council changed the 2021 Local Law 152 deadline to June 30, 2022.

This gives all properties with gas piping system in community districts in which an inspection was required last year an additional six months to complete the inspection and necessary repairs. These community districts are:

- Community District 2 - Community District 5 - Community District 7 - Community District 13 - Community District 18

This extension is likely to be a one time occurrence and buildings in these districts will return to the every four year schedule for all future inspections, meaning the next inspection for these districts will be in 2025. But for this year, the extension provides extra time to complete your requirements and avoid any late penalties. Local Law 152 also outlines which properties are included. Need to have an inspection completed. We have already gone over which districts must have an inspection this year, but not every property in each of these districts is included.

Your building needs an inspection unless it is in the R-3 occupancy group. The R-3 group includes buildings where there are no more than two dwelling units and occupants number under 20, which can apply to group homes, convents, or monasteries. You can find your buildings occupancy classification on your Certificate of Occupancy.

Buildings that are not in the R-3 occupancy group and do not use natural gas also have updated requirements in 2022 because of the law passed by the City Council. Prior to this year, buildings that did not use natural gas but fell within the community districts included for that year's inspection deadline were required to submit paperwork from a Licensed Master Plumber confirming that no gas appliances were in use on the property.

This year and going forward, properties with gas piping but without active gas service can provide certification from the utility company that gas is not being supplied to the building. In order to confirm this, the property owner will need to submit to the Department of Buildings:

- When gas was last supplied. - The date when gas service was no longer provided. - A signed statement from the owner of the building. - A certification from the utility company that the building is no longer connected to the gas main.

Although an inspection is no longer required, this certification is still due by the deadline if your property has unused gas piping within any of the community districts listed for either the 2022 deadline on December 31, 2022 or the 2021 extension on June 30, 2022. You will need to submit this paperwork to avoid the $10,000 fine.

How to Complete Your 2022 LL 152 Inspection

Completing the gas piping system inspection is a relatively easy process for building owners, but you will want to make sure to schedule your inspection early to prevent any stress that can occur at the last minute and leave time for repairs.

You will need to schedule the inspection with a Licensed Master Plumber like Empire Plumbing Inc. We will come to your property at the scheduled time and inspect all gas pipes and connections in public areas. We will examine the space between the gas meter and up to tenant spaces, but per the law, there is no need for us to enter tenant dwellings.

Following inspection and in compliance with LL 152, we will provide you a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report within 30 days, outlining all necessary repairs. We will also provide you with a signed Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification indicating that the inspection was done. You will need to submit this form to the Department of Buildings.

We then work with you to conduct all necessary repairs within 120 or 180 days, depending on our original findings. When these are complete, we will give you any additional certifications or reports necessary to confirm that repairs were made.

In extreme cases where we identify a significant hazard such as a leak or an unauthorized connection, we will also have to report our findings to the Department of Buildings and the gas utility. This can result in a temporary shutdown of your National Grid or Consolidated Edison gas service while the issue is resolved. However, this happens in only a very small percentage of our inspections.

At Empire Plumbing, most of the Local Law 152 inspections that we have conducted so far have yielded no or only minor repairs that we can quickly and affordably correct, removing the chance of interruption to your gas service. Our goal is to make it as simple as possible for property owners throughout NYC to comply with this new legislation. Avoid facing any penalties for incomplete inspections or missed deadlines. If you own a building in any of the community districts scheduled for inspection this year or you have additional questions on Local Law 152, call our team at Empire Plumbing for more information on what is required of you in 2022.

Local Law 87 (LL87) Bench Marking Greater Buildings Plan Energy Audit™

Do you know your number? It could be your year of the EER

No matter what industry you are in, there is a push for energy efficiency. It’s no different when it comes to building maintenance, even in a city as old as New York. A few months ago we mentioned how New York City is leading the nation when it comes to energy efficiency. One of the things helping this positive change is the Department of Buildings. The DOB has a long list of Local Laws, and among them is Local Law 87 of 2009 (LL87). So let’s say you’re a building owner. What is Local Law 87. What does it mean to you?

As part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP), LL87 requires large building owners to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) every ten years. Covered buildings, those that are required to comply with LL87, are those over 50,000 square feet, and single lots with two or more buildings larger than 100,000 square feet.

If you own a big building that falls within these categories, you should expect to file an EER once a decade and pay close attention to your tax block number. The year in which you have to comply with LL87 is determined by the last digit of that tax block number. For example, if the number ends in “7” you have until December 31st, 2017 (and once every ten years after that) to file the EER. If that number is “8” then it’s 2018, and so on and so forth.

Okay, so you have until December 31st to file your EER. What exactly is that?

The main components of the EER are the Data Collection Tools, and the Professional Certification forms, EERC1 and EERC2. The former is for the energy audit component, the latter for retro-commissioning. The energy audit is a survey and analysis of energy use in a building to identify ways to reduce energy consumption without compromising normal operations. Retro-commissioning is the process of ensuring that energy systems are correctly installed and functional.

The Professional Certification Forms are signed by the Registered Design Professional (RDP) or Approved Agent who conducts the energy audit and retro-commissioning, as well as by you, building’s owner. The forms require the seal of the RDP and a signed and dated statement from you including basic information and indicating owner type. The accompanying Data Collection Tools for the EER can be done by you without the RDP. With two separate tools for the energy audit and retro-commissioning, they both contain similar fields for information on the building and the team conducting the survey, and more specific fields for each respective local law 84 compliance consulting solutions survey. Together all these forms complete the EER, which can then be e-filed with the Department of Buildings. Once the DOB receives the EER, an email will be sent to you with instructions on how to pay the $375 filing fee.

Now, there are exemptions when it comes to LL87. One to three family dwellings that are not condominiums, or are condos of three stories or less do not have to comply. Covered buildings may be exempt from a either the energy audit or retro-commissioning if certain criteria is met. At this point you are probably relieved you only have to do this once every ten years. While it seems like a lot, it isn’t anything S&M Expediting can’t handle. Let’s talk about getting your EER filed or help you take action in any of these following ways.

If you are not exempt from filing an EER and are unable to meet the December 31st deadline, you can file for a deferral or extension. A ten year deferral may be an option for you if the base building systems comply with the NYC Energy Conservation Code, and if the building is less than ten years old or has undergone a substantial rehabilitation in the ten years prior to the year the EER is due. To file for a deferral, you use the EER1 Application and file it with the DOB. If you can’t meet the deadline due to financial hardship of the building or are unable to meet it despite documented efforts, you can file an EER2 by October 1st of the due year, and every October afterward for which an extension is requested. Accompanying the EER2 is a fee of $155 for the extension.

In the event of the DOB requests you to amend a submitted EER, you will have to submit a revised EER, indicating on the EERC1 and EERC2 that the filing is an amendment. You would also be subject to an amendment fee of $145.

Rather than run the risk of needing to pay for an amendment for a misfiled EER, or even worse, face a Class 2 violation and a penalty of $3000 for the first year (or $5000 for subsequent years) for not filing at all, let S&M save you the headache and get it done for you. Reach out to us and have your EER done by expediters who understand the forms and do the hard work for you.

6 Basic Bookkeeping Tips For Truckers™

Bookkeeping is one of the most important activities that successful owner-operators should be using to their advantage. The receipts and records you keep are often in areas of your business - income tax reporting and minimization, warranty issues, maintenance information, and monthly profitability, just to name a few.

The more organized and thorough you can be in your receipt gathering, the better (whether you hire a business services provider or not). You can simplify the bookkeeping task by following six simple practices that will translate into higher profit with less hassle.

This article first appeared on the Truckstop.com blog.

1. Save every receipt, no matter how insignificant the charge seems.

Why “tip” the taxman? You want to be able to deduct as many legitimate costs as possible. Keep an envelope in your truck for collecting receipts, or use the dedicated folders on your computer or in a cloud for e-receipts. Use the folders for your monthly profit-and-loss statements, as well as accurate quarterly tax estimates.

Scanned images of receipts are acceptable, but keep original paper copies for warranty purposes for any big-ticket items you purchase.

2. Open a separate checking account for your business.

If you are the sole owner of the business, open an additional personal account so simplicity purposes, not to mention that it will save you the extra fees that are associated with business accounts. Deposit settlement checks into this account, and then pay yourself out of these funds. Pay all business expenses from this account for easy recordkeeping purposes. Having a separate account will also give you easy access to necessary information in the event you are audited.

3. Use a separate credit card for business expenses.

Research credit cards and find one with a low-interest rate that doesn’t have an annual fee, and ideally a generous rewards plan. Pay the balance in full every month to ensure you aren’t racking up additional business debt. Having a credit card for business expenses is another way to make recordkeeping easy since you can often separate charges into categories (gas, food, maintenance, etc.).

4. Save all of your log books.

Your logbook and/or electronic log records are your best proof of entitlement to per diem expenses (primarily composed of meal costs). If you rely solely on your electronic logging device (ELD), make sure you can save and access your history (this is mandatory thing to know for inspections anyway).

5. Keep a notebook in your truck.

Use this notebook (in additional to your receipt envelop!), or a document on your computer or smartphone to record any expenses for which you cannot obtain a receipt. This includes things like when you wash your truck at a coin-operated facility and to record mileage for business use of your personal vehicle. Provide a monthly record to your business services provider or tax Top tools for data extraction accountant along with any of your other receipts.

You must track the date, location, amount, and reason for each expense to meet IRS regulations!

6. Save your records.

You must keep all records used to prepare your tax return for three years from the date you filed the return. You should also keep all IRS quarterly estimated tax payments, monthly profit and loss statements, insurance documentation, maintenance records, warranty information (which should be available immediately to keep your truck on the road), registration information, settlement statements and bank statements, business credit card statements, and canceled checks.

How to Simplify Your Recordkeeping

Business services can help a great deal with the organization and reporting of your income, expenses, profit and loss reports, and taxes. But if you’re an those owner-operator that wants to manage your business yourself, a surefire system is needed to keep recordkeeping as simple as possible.

Here is an example of a very simple recordkeeping system for an owner-operator.

- Purchase an expanding file folder, a stapler, and a desktop calculator with register tape from an office supply store. Fill out the pocket labels on the expanding file folder with various categories of expenses and incomes - things like maintenance, fuel, meals and entertainment, equipment, settlements, and office supplies.

- When you get a receipt or settlement statement, drop it in the corresponding pocket.

- At the end of each month, add together the receipts in each pocket. Label the calculator’s register tape with the month and year, and staple the printout to each corresponding stack of receipts, then drop the bundle back into the corresponding slot. Since they are stapled together, they won’t get mixed up with new receipts coming in. You’ll have everything you need sorted correctly for the end of each quarter or at the end of each year.

- Supplement this system by noting your odometer reading on the first of every month allowing you to track your true cost per mile for each month. Better yet, record your odometer reading each time you start a new load so you know your cost per mile for each load!

- Using online software (such as ProfitGauges by Kevin Rutherford of Let’s Truck and radio host of Trucking Business & Beyond), create a monthly entry for each category and enter your settlement data. Use the software to create your reports and manage your business.

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Amanda Hammond is a content writer for Truckstop.com. This article first appeared on the Truckstop.com blog.

Energy Audit: Where Exactly To Invest And Ramp Up Your Home’s Efficiency™

Article content Building envelope People want a “one-size-fits-all solution and that doesn’t exist,” says Christopher Straka, principal with Ottawa’s Vert Design, a residential and commercial planning, design and development firm. Straka’s company designed Canada’s first certified passive home, which uses about one-tenth the energy for heating and cooling that a conventional Canadian house does.

Energy Audit: Where exactly to invest and ramp up your home’s efficiency Back to video

Every home has its own energy strengths and weaknesses, he explains, based on age, construction and other factors. Only an energy audit can pinpoint your individual energy issues.

Mr. Straka says that unless you’re building a custom home and can orient it for free heating from solar gain, your best bet is still tightening up the building’s envelope: caulking and weatherstripping to reduce leakage, adding insulation, and better windows and doors.

Article content Plugging air leaks and topping up insulation can save over $400 a year, according to energy provider Direct Energy. Upgrading insulation in a 1,200-square-foot attic costs about $1,200.

For insulation, anything less than R12 in the walls and basement, R20 for exposed floors and cathedral ceilings and R40 in the attic calls for upgrading, says Ross Elliott of Ottawa’s Homesol Building Solutions and a veteran home energy auditor and energy designer. “Going from R10 to R20 gives you the biggest boost: it’s the first few inches that are most important.” After that, the law of diminishing returns sets in.

Adding rigid Styrofoam to the outside walls can bridge thermal gaps, which are heat leaks where the fibreglass insulation is interrupted by studs, although you may need to remove the exterior cladding to do so.

Article content If you are replacing windows, opt for triple-glazed with low-E coatings and argon between the panes, Mr. Elliott says. They cost between 20% and 30% more but greater comfort and resale value are among the benefits.

Monster in the basement After the building envelope comes mechanical systems.

A high-efficiency furnace costs $3,000 to $6,000 installed, but can shave more than $500 a year on heating bills if your current furnace is more than 20 years old, according to Direct Energy.

Natural Resources Canada’s Home Heating System Cost Calculator (oee.nrcan.gc.ca) lets you compare your existing system to other heating systems and fuel sources.

An aging air conditioning system can also suck up energy dollars.

Switching from a standard hot water system to a tankless (on-demand) type can slash $150 or more from annual costs for a family of four. It costs about $3,000 installed.

Article content Mr. Elliott suggests checking out condensing hot water heaters, which capture heat from burned gases for reuse, achieving more than 90% efficiency in the process.

He also ranks a heat recovery ventilator or other ventilation system as an essential investment for humidity control and healthy indoor air.

Despite the range of upgrade possibilities, “the answers aren’t that complicated,” Mr. Straka says.

“It’s a matter of looking at three or four different options and then reshuffling your deck of cards till you get what you want.”

Coincidentally, a recent study by the United States’ Shelton Group, a U.S.-based advertising agency specializing in green products and services, found the average homeowner needs to make about four improvements in energy efficiency for bills to drop.

Article content If you are planning to retrofit your home or are considering buying a resale home, NR-Can and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. have produced fact sheets that include recommended upgrades for 11 housing types in five regions of Canada: cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/reensa/reensa-001.cfm.

Other useful publications Planning Energy Efficiency Renovations for Your Home (oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/planning/index.cfm?attr4) covers products, hiring contractors and the like. Keeping the Heat In (oee.nrcan.gc.ca) includes advice on how to retrofit.

Emerging technologies The National Research Council and NRCan are studying a raft of new energy-efficiency products including ultra-efficient Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) with R values about five times that of conventional insulation.

Article content Other items on the test bench include mini-split heat pumps for heating and cooling. Unlike standard air-source heat pumps, which are only effective to about - 5 C, these will produce heat at - 20 C or colder.

NRCan and CMHC also recommend old-school technology such as awnings and roll shutters for south- and west-facing windows as an effective way to cut cooling costs.

And, as we all know, turning down the thermostat in the winter and turning it up during air conditioning season can save a bundle.

Energy-gobbling gizmos

hinkstock/Getty ImagesThe culprits? Everything from energy-gobbling appliances, like old beer fridges, to iag energy our bottomless appetite for more electronic devices in our homes. Many of those devices also have “always-on” features like clocks and instant-on capability that suck up power 24/7, accounting for five to 10 per cent of the power consumed in a typical Canadian home, according to NRCan.

Article content Among the biggest energy wasters are charging stations for cellphones and the like, says Hydro Ottawa spokeswoman Linda Bruce. “People plug them in and go to bed, but they keep drawing power all night.” Since it only takes three or four hours to charge a device, she suggests using a timed power bar ($24.99 at Canadian Tire) to cut power to the charging station entirely.

For more energy saving ideas, visit Ontario Power Authority’s site at saveonenergy.ca.

Also, check out NRCan’s online calculator for energy consumption by appliances (oee.nrcan.gc.ca).

Using Hydro Ottawa’s current electricity rates, the calculator shows, for example, a saving of more than $700 over 14 years by switching from a mid-to a high-efficiency clothes washer and using it during off-peak hours (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.).

Article content Even with the higher cost of an ultra-efficient appliance, rising electricity rates will mean increased savings. You’ll also use less water.

How to save Yes, little things do add up to big things when it comes to energy conservation. Here are some little energy-saving tips.

• Electronic devices continue to consume “phantom” or standby power even when not being used, adding 5% to 10% to your energy bill. Culprits include televisions and home theatre systems, computers (including monitors and printers), cellphone and other chargers and game consoles.

Solution: Plug the devices into power bars so you can cut the electricity supply when it’s not needed.

• Set-top boxes that bring cable and other services to your television are among the worst phantom power hogs. Depending on the number and configuration, they can consume more power than a central air conditioning system, according to a detailed New York Times article.

Article content They often can’t be unplugged because they take forever to reboot. Look for Energy Star models with the lowest phantom power consumption and minimize the number you own.

• When using a dishwasher, Ontario Power Authority suggests air drying your dishes, using the air-dry setting (or energy saver) option, or just leaving the door open. Visit saveonenergy.ca for more tips.

• Think twice before you buy a digital picture frame, or at least either unplug it when no one’s home or put it on a power bar with a timer.

The Electric Power Research Institute, a non-profit research group, estimates that if every household in America ran one digital picture frame around the clock, five additional power plants would be needed to operate them.

Article content • Air conditioners are among a home’s biggest energy hogs and units from the 1970s can use up to 50% more power than today’s models, according to the United States Department of Energy. Even 10-year-old systems can be 20% to 40% less efficient than new models. Look for Energy Star-certified units. As well, shade the condenser from the sun and keep it free from leaves and other debris to achieve maximum efficiency.

• Cut heating costs up to 5% by changing furnace filters every one to three months.

You know that old beer fridge may be wasting up to $125 a year in electricity. You also know that Ontario Power Authority will haul it away for free. But did you realize that dirty coils on the back or bottom of your fridge or freezer make it work harder? Vacuum them every couple of months, more often if you have a pet that sheds hair.

Check the seal on your refrigerator or freezer. Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, replace the gasket.

• To maximize the life of CFL bulbs, leave them on at least 15 minutes, but then turn them off when you leave the room.

Contrary to what you may have heard, re-energizing bulbs uses minimal electricity.

For a guide to buying CFL bulbs, which is as complicated as choosing wine, see hydroottawa.com/residential/ saveonenergy/tips-andtools/lighting.

• Going on vacation? Consider un-plugging your refrigerator. Using timers on your indoor lights.

Money On Hosted PBX Telephone Systems - VOIP™

Voice over Web Procedure or VoIP telephone, has actually been gone over about for a phone.com customer reviews variety of years however is now being embraced by services in the bulk in order to conserve cash in addition to established effective brand-new abilities for end-users. Current item launches by Infant Bells and long-distance providers, in addition to an ambush of "network convergent" business supplying both voice and information services, are effectively injecting a variety of market sectors. By now, most likely you have actually come throughout the terms "VoIP" and "merging" - possibly in the exact same sentence - in some high tech post or in a speech. However, why should this matter to your business? This post will check out the benefits of hosted PBX VoIP innovation to services as end-clients, along with actions prior to getting service. By incorporating voice calls over the similar facilities that offers Web connection, services can reduce financial resources. Many services have high speed Web connections, and many services likewise have various phone lines. Handling or packing all this over one gain access to pipeline enables significant expense savings for little and medium size organizations -30% or more tariffs monthly. In addition, removing onsite phone devices (essential system or IP PBX) and combining circuitry, likewise reduces financial resources. However, beyond expense savings, VoIP innovation makes the most captivating functions possible for both little and big services - changing telecoms in much the method Windows now takes control of DOS on your PC. For instance, think of turning and reaching the office on your computer system to examine your e-mails and listen to your telephone voice messages! With VoIP telephone functions, you just click voice messages that have actually been forwarded to your computer system. You will listen to them (in the kind of wave files), forward, erase and react to them, all with basic mouse-clicks. In addition, you'll throw out your old phone system "cheat sheet" - the one relating all the asterisk number patterns for forwarding, replaying, conserving or erasing voice messages, and for conjuring up call transfer, 3-way calling, and so on - and you'll simply have point-and-click. You will likewise corroborate your organization phone system to screen calls according to your individual top priorities. And, calls will follow you where ever you select - to your cellular phone, to your house phone, to your home-office phone - once again managed by you through simple point-and-click commands. How about having your potential customers and consumers in Los Angeles call a regional L.A. Denver? These are simply examples of what you can attain with virtual PBX. • Is your present telephone systems system more than 5 years of ages? A lot of PBXs are completely diminished after 5 years, leading to a zero-loss situation, and quicker ROI to move to VoIP telephone. • Do you have various billing established for high-speed web gain access to, regional phone lines, and long range services? The combination of these services supplies significant expense decreases, frequently in excess of 30% cost savings. KEEP IN MIND: VoIP telephone is finest matched for organization that currently have or require high-speed Web gain access to. • Do you invest significant capital on any modifications to the setup of your PBX? This is substantial for business who have actually either increased or descendent in facilities size, as each relocation, include or alter (MAC) can cost business substantial cash. Do you have a remote labor force? The advanced performance improving functions of hosted PBX VoIP innovation can drastically affect your remote labor forces' habits. Functions such as 'Discover me' or 'Follow me' will call several areas up until an individual is discovered. Likewise, a remote labor force can plug in in your home and get calls as if in the workplace. • Do you like to have the most current tools and functions for the performance of the workplace? Forward e-mails as wave files to anybody inside - or outdoors - your business, click to call from your computer system, and evaluation call logs online. PBX VoIP telephone systems offers all the functions of existing PBXs plus various futuristic functions that can increase effectiveness and performance.

Kitchen Renovation-A Part Of Home Renovation™

Kitchen renovation is very popular these days. Peoples are very keen about their kitchen because everyone wants that his cooking place must be clean, hygienic and stylish.They will look nice and if you want to paint the kitchen off white this color is the best choice for your kitchen will look nice and clean. Kitchen renovation is very popular these days. Peoples are very keen about their kitchen because everyone wants that his cooking place must be clean, hygienic and stylish. When you want to renovate your kitchen in a limited budget its important that your purchases must be creative. Check your needs and priorities and always stick to them dont buy extra unneeded things. Before start to plan the renovation process just answer this question that what has to change in this kitchen in order to make it up to date and stylish. After answering this question start your project if you want to hire professional renovator you can choose them by checking out their portfolio. After hiring the professional constructor you can discuss with them your ideas, needs and wants and also discuss the budget which is very important.Sometimes in kitchen the color and style of cabinets start bothering you because you are looking them same from the years or might be these cabinets could not close up as tight as Creative Resins Cleaning Equipments they once did. These all things may irritate you too much and depressed you. Renovating a kitchen has very fresh and good affect on mind because when housewives used out of order items they always feel depressed but looking at new items they will feel fresh and good.Renovation of kitchen does not mean that change the whole kitchen. If you want to change the sink of kitchen buy a kitchen which size is appropriate for your kitchen like if the size of your kitchen is big but you are placing a small size sink it will not look nice. Also use natural color scheme in the kitchen like use of white, yellow, and green looks nice. The colors of home appliances must be same like if your fridge is of white color also buy microwave, cattle and oven in white color they will look nice. Upgrading your kitchen is a fun. If you want to place the wall paper now there are many wall papers specially designed for a kitchen the pictures of fruit and vegetables are painted on them. They will look nice and if you want to paint the kitchen off white this color is the best choice for your kitchen will look nice and clean. The dinning table of kitchen must be not too big that it will cover all the space in the kitchen the color of dinning table must be same with color of home appliances. Changing the exhaust is an important thing because exhaust of the kitchen is normally too much dirty because of the smoke in kitchen. If you are bored with old styled cabinet its not important to change whole cabinet. If you have limited budget just change the doors of cabinet they will look different and nice if your cabinet doors are of wood change in to mirror or change in to the wood and mirror design it will look different, nice and stylish.Also buy some new plates, glass and cups stand they will give new look. The kitchen accessories must be change time to time because the kitchen will be boring place if you does not change your accessories for long times.

Significant Advantages Of PBX VOIP For SMBs - VOIP™

Interaction is the basis of relationship in between the company and its consumer. Organization can not make it through without a healthy interaction. This functions as the pillar of the expert relationship. To make optimal revenues out of little financial investments you require to establish a healthy business image with clients, employees and consumers. PBX VoIP is the innovation that has actually brought a substantial advancement in organization interaction. This strategy has the capability to handle substantial phone circulations and satisfy the establishing interaction specs of the corporation business. Hosted PBX VoIP has actually enhanced the method medium and small business utilized to manage their interaction. What is PBX VoIP? It is the personal branch exchange that changes the calls over the web utilizing voice over web procedure. Utilizing this innovation each user simply requires simply a single line for web gain access to, VoIP interaction and conventional telephone systems. This is likewise owned like the hosted PBX and offers versatility as a business grows, and can likewise lower long-lasting operations and upkeep expenses. PBX VoIP is the replacement of the conventional phone system. All the calls are made by means of information packages over an information phone.com review network rather of standard phone system. The huge part of its performance exists in software application. This makes it rather simple to include and budget friendly for SMBs. There are various advantages of the PBX VoIP for the little and medium size corporation business. Expense conserving - you can make regional and range calls with no additional cost and regardless of the geographical places. Call quality - PBX VoIP offers you the finest possible call quality you have actually ever experienced. Reputable services - in case there is a system failure then you do not require to stress as your information is totally safe and safe and secure. Control - you can have complete control of your phone system. Versatility - you can quickly grow your PBX when you grow. You can remove/add as lots of extensions as you desire based on the scenario or requirement. Easy to discover - the PBX VoIP is simple to find out and run. Smooth interaction - Smooth circulation of interaction circulation in organization. It supplies Call Management includes to predict an expert the image of company. It permits you remain linked to the clients and clients. It eliminates the requirement of setting up the hardware/software at your facilities. It can be quickly handled and run with no inconveniences by just accessing the web and IP phone which are the only requirements. It improves the telephone systems effectiveness. It utilizes VoIP innovation making usage of the web to move the voice together with other information over the exact same network. It offers the SMBs calling services at small expense with scintillating functions satisfying their telephone requires.

FTC Customer Details™

Phone frauds been available in lots of kinds, however they tend to make comparable pledges and hazards, or ask you to pay particular methods. Here's how to acknowledge a phone fraud. The caller may state you were "chosen" for a deal or that you have actually won a lottery game. However if you need to pay to get the reward, it's not a reward. Fraudsters may pretend to be police or a federal firm. They may state you'll be jailed, fined, or deported if you do not pay taxes or some other financial obligation right now. The objective is to terrify you into paying. However genuine police and federal companies will not call and threaten you. A lot of genuine services will provide you time to believe their deal over and get composed info about it prior to asking you to devote. Take your time. Do not get pressed into making a choice on the area. Fraudsters will frequently ask you to pay in a manner that makes it tough for you to get your cash back - by circuitry cash, putting cash on a present card, pre-paid card or money reload card, or utilizing a cash transfer app. Anybody who asks you to pay that method is a fraudster. It's never ever an excellent concept to offer delicate details like your Social Security number to somebody who calls you suddenly, even if they state they're with the Social Security Administration or Internal Revenue Service. It requires your written consent to call you with a robocall if a business is offering something. And if you're on the National Do Not Call Windows registry, you should not get live sales calls from business you have not done service with in the past. Those calls are unlawful. If somebody is currently breaking the law calling you, there's a great chance it's a rip-off. At least, it's a business you do not desire to do organization with. Any fraud can take place over the phone. A fraudster pretends to be somebody you trust - a federal government company like the Social Security Administration or the internal revenue service, a household member, a love interest, or somebody declaring there's an issue with your computer system. The fraudster can even have a phony name or number appear on your caller ID to encourage you. Fraudsters will use to reduce your charge card rates of interest, repair your credit, or get your trainee loans forgiven if you pay their business a charge initially. However you might wind up losing your cash and destroying your credit. Callers may guarantee to assist you begin your own company and provide you service training, or assurance huge benefit from a financial investment. Do not take their word for it. Find out about the FTC's Organization Chance Guideline, and inspect out financial investment chances with your state securities regulator. Fraudsters like to present as charities. Frauds asking for contributions for catastrophe relief efforts are particularly typical on the phone. Constantly have a look at a charity prior to you offer, and do not feel forced to offer instantly over the phone prior to you do. Fraudsters learn what sort of automobile you drive and when you purchased it so they can advise you to purchase expensive - or useless - service agreements. A caller may assure a complimentary trial however then sign you up for items - often great deals of items - that you're billed for each month till you cancel. Loan frauds consist of advance charge loan rip-offs, where fraudsters target individuals with a bad credit report and assurance loans or charge card for an up-front cost. Genuine lending institutions do not make assurances like that, specifically if you have bad credit, no credit, or an insolvency. In a normal reward rip-off, the caller will state you have actually won a reward, however then state you require to pay taxes, registration charges, or shipping charges to get it. However after you pay, you discover there is no reward. Fraudsters guarantee totally free or affordable getaways that can wind up costing you a lot in concealed expenses. And often, after you pay, you discover out there is no getaway. In timeshare resale rip-offs, fraudsters lie and inform you they'll offer your timeshare - and might even have a purchaser lined up - if you pay them initially. Even if it's not a fraudster calling, when a business is calling you unlawfully, it's not a business you wish to do service with. When you get a robocall, do not push any numbers. Rather of letting you talk to a live operator or eliminate you from their call list, it may result in more robocalls. Fraudsters can utilize phone.com customer reviews the web to make calls from all over the world. They do not care if you're on the National Do Not Call Computer registry. That's why your finest defense versus undesirable calls is call stopping. Which kind of call-blocking or call-labeling innovation you utilize will depend upon the phone - whether it's a mobile phone, a conventional landline, or a house phone that makes calls online (VoIP). See what services your phone provider provides, and look online for professional evaluations. For mobile phone, you likewise can take a look at the evaluations for various call-blocking apps in your online app shop. Fraudsters can make any name or number reveal up on your caller ID. That's called spoofing. So even if it appears like it's a federal government company like the Social Security Administration calling, or like the call is from a regional number, it might be a fraudster calling from throughout the world. Fraudsters typically ask you to pay in methods that make it difficult to get your refund. No matter what payment technique you utilized to pay, the quicker you act, the much better. You may be able to stop the deal if you paid a fraudster with a credit or debit card. Contact your charge card business or bank right now. Inform them what occurred, and request for a "chargeback" to reverse the charges. If you paid a fraudster with a present card, pre-paid card, or money reload card, get in touch with the business that provided the card right now. Inform them you paid a fraudster with the card, and ask if they can reimburse your cash. The faster you call them, the much better the possibility they'll have the ability to get your refund. Call the company right away to report the fraud and submit a complaint if you paid a scammer by circuitry cash through business like Western Union or MoneyGram. Request for the wire transfer to be reversed. It's not likely to take place, however it is necessary to ask. Get in touch with the business behind the app if you paid a scammer using a money transfer app. Contact your credit card company or bank initially if the app is connected to a credit card or debit card. Update your computer's security software if you provided a fraudster remote access to your computer system. Then run a erase and scan anything it determines as an issue. Change your password right away if you gave your username and password to a scammer. If you utilize the very same password for other accounts or websites, alter it there, too. Develop a brand-new password that is strong. If somebody calls and provides to "assist" you recuperate cash you have actually currently lost, do not provide cash or individual details. You're most likely handling a phony refund rip-off. Report the number that appears on your caller ID - even if you believe it may be phony - and any number you're informed to recall. The FTC evaluates grievance information and patterns to determine unlawful callers based upon calling patterns. We likewise utilize extra details you report, like any numbers or names you're informed to recall, to find fraudsters. We take the telephone number you report and launch them to the general public each organization day. This assists phone providers and other partners that are dealing with call-blocking and call-labeling services. Your reports likewise assist police determine the individuals behind prohibited calls.

Mike Holmes: Here’s When Being Audited Is A Good Thing™

Article content If you could do a renovation on your home that cost you a fraction of its worth, one that continued to save you money as long as you owned your home, wouldn’t you do it? That’s what you can get with the eco-ENERGY Retrofit program.

Article content This program is offered through the federal government, which has increased the amount of grant money for energy-efficient renovation retrofits. There’s an extra $300-million being invested over the next two years. Most provinces - and now some even local governments - are stepping up as well to match the available money, dollar for dollar. For example, you can get up to $5,000 in federal and up to $5,000 in provincial rebates on work you’ve had done to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Mike Holmes: Here’s when being audited is a good thing Back to video

The point of the eco-ENERGY retrofit grant is to get homeowners to do renovations that effectively reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. It’s a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your home, reduce consumption and the impact on the environment. So you save money. Reduce your carbon footprint.

Article content The money is non-taxable and is available for upgrades on heating systems, ventilation, air conditioning, windows, doors and even toilets. You can replace old, inefficient furnace/AC or water heaters; improve insulation so your house isn’t leaking heat; replace drafty windows and doors.

One of my team members is taking advantage of it in a house he and his wife just bought. He’s changing over the toilets to three-litre flush, as well as upgrading his insulation. Each toilet he installs qualifies him for $65 from the federal government, and $65 matched from the provincial government. And, because he lives in the City of Toronto, he gets another $75 - that’s $130 rebate per toilet. (And, he’ll be saving money in water usage for years to come.

Article content To take advantage of it, you need to first have an energy audit or evaluation of your home by a certified auditor. The energy audit will show you where your home is losing energy through air leakage, drafts and areas of heat loss and where you can improve its performance. (But note that if you don’t have an energy audit BEFORE you do the upgrade, you will not qualify for the rebate.)

You can even get a rebate for some of the cost of the energy audit, as an incentive. And with some improvements, you have an incentive to do better than targets. For example, if you seal your house and do 20% better than the set target, you can get an additional $150. That’s in addition to the $300 you’re eligible for in the first place. You’d be crazy to not apply.

Article content And, that’s on top of what you’re going to be saving every year in heating and cooling or water and energy consumption costs!

The energy auditor uses the blower door test to measure the rate of air leakage in your home. An energy-efficient home will have very little air leakage. To do the test, all windows and doors are closed and an adjustable panel is fitted with a fan into one of the exterior doors. The fan is turned on, drawing air out so the interior house pressure is reduced. This allows exterior air to leak in through unsealed openings or cracks. The rate of that flow, or air infiltration, is measured; those calculations compute the energy-efficiency rating of your home.

Auditors will note the locations of leaks and give that information to the homeowner to do the repairs and upgrades.

Article content After the initial audit, you’ll get an evaluation report and a rating. Then, you can think about what kind of energy upgrades you want to do and what you can afford.

After the work has been done, make sure to get another evaluation to verify you’ve made the necessary improvements. This will prove you have a higher rating. The improvements you made have increased the energy efficiency of your home.

After your first audit, you have 18 months of complete some or all of the work, then book your post-retrofit audit. Then, you can apply to your provincial and federal - and in some cases, municipal - governments for the rebate.

You must make sure the work and the post-retrofit evaluation is done before the program ends (March 31, 2011). And of course, keep all proof of work done (work orders, receipts). You need documentation. The work will need to be verified during the final energy audit.

Article content You can do simple jobs to take advantage of the rebate; it doesn’t need to be very complicated. Replace a toilet or your furnace. Obviously, upgrading your insulation is a bigger job as it involves tearing out drywall and plaster and replacing it. Windows are a bigger job than doors since you have more of them.

Some fixes, such as caulking your windows are cheap. Some will cost a lot more, like buying new EnergyStar appliances or replacing your windows with EnergyStar-rated ones. But everything you do to improve the energy efficiency of your home will help.

For more information on home ll152 gas piping inspection renovations, go to makeitright.ca.

How Can SIG Help?™

Anyone who has been to New York City can attest to how congested it is. The city’s square footage is highly concentrated in less than two percent of its properties: 15,000 properties over 50,000 square feet comprise almost half of this square footage and up to 48% of the city’s total energy use. Therefore, as an environmental improvement initiative, New York City enacted the Green Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP) in 2009 to achieve significant levels of energy and water efficiency.

Local Law 87 (LL 87) is one of the four laws that make up this plan. Properties that require LL 87 compliance include any single NYC building exceeding 50,000 gross square feet and multiple buildings on the same tax lot or condo board that together exceed 100,000 square feet.

Components of LL 87

Qualifying buildings must undergo an energy audit and retro-commissioning of the base building systems and submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER). The energy audit and retro-Commissioning must be performed by an individual with Department approved credentials. Learn more about the components of Local Law 87.

The base building systems are the systems/subsystems of the building that use energy or impact energy consumption. For LL 87, these are:

- Building envelopes - HVAC systems - Conveying systems - Domestic hot water systems - Electrical and lighting systems

Energy Audit

The objective of an energy audit is to identify potential operational and equipment improvements that can save energy, reduce costs, and lead to improved performance. They are intended to give building owners more insight into their energy consumption by breaking down the totally energy use and cost by the various uses such as heating, air conditioning, and lighting. The data is analyzed, and energy conservation measures are provided based on cost and return on investment so building owners can make informed business decisions. Typically, these changes cost more up front but save money in the long-term.

For LL 87, a minimum of an American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) level II energy audit is required. However, enacting the recommended changes is not required per the law. To learn more, check out the ASHRAE website.

Retro-Commissioning Study

Retro-commissioning is the process of evaluating, testing, adjusting, and correcting systems in a building. Adjustments that can occur during this process include, but are not limited to, cleaning, repairing defects, adjusting valves, adjusting controls or programmed settings, adding sensors, or general operational changes. These items are typically low-cost with a high return on investment. In addition, other benefits include reducing particle matter costs, reducing energy costs, and prolonging the building’s equipment life.

Energy Efficiency Report (EER)

The EER consists of:

- EERC1 local law 84 nyc (Professional Certification: Energy Auditor and Owner Statements) form - Energy Audit Tool - EERC2 (Professional Certification: Retro-commissioning Agent and Owner Statements) form - Retro-commissioning Tool

It must be submitted once every ten years, and both the energy audit and retro-commissioning study should be completed no more than four years prior to the report filing date. The report is due by December 31st of the calendar year with a final digit that is the same as the last digit of the building’s tax block number. For example, if the last digit of the tax block number is 9, the first EER is due in 2019.

Why comply?

The penalty for failing to complete the EER is an initial penalty of $3,000 with an additional $5,000 for each year the EER is not submitted. With ten years in between reports, this can build significantly!

In case you missed it:

Previous articles on Local Law Compliance

Local Law 84 from July 29, 2014

Local Law 87 from November 12, 2013

How Can SIG Help? SIG’s team of Professional Engineers can perform Energy Audits. Retro-Commissioning to meet all the requirements of LL 87. Through in-depth analysis of your building(s) we will identify cost effective equipment. Controls upgrades while optimizing the performance of existing base building systems. A final EER will be completed and submitted. SIG has obtained FlexTech approved funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for several clients, which compensates up to 50% of costs associated with LL 87 compliance. To learn more, please visit our Local Law Compliance page, or contact Charlie Cichetti at (404) 343-3835. All rights reserved.

Helen Morris: Energy Efficiency Worth The Effort™

Article content As temperatures head down to their seasonal norm, we’re turning up the heat at home. That means higher bills, but having an energy-efficient home can keep heating costs under control.

Helen Morris: Energy efficiency worth the effort Back to video

EnerQuality new york local law 87 designs and operates five “green” building standards for the construction industry in Ontario. “These focus on the design and construction of the home,” says EnerQuality president Corey McBurney. “[We are concerned with] building a better home that requires less energy to perform and performs better. In practice, Energy Star for New Homes, which concerns itself exclusively with energy consumption, is by far the most popular [green home category]. We label over one in five new homes a year in Ontario and of those, 95% are Energy Star.”Mortgage insurers Genworth and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offer incentives to borrowers who buy energy-efficient homes but who have less than a 25% down payment.

Article content “A client that purchases a new-construction home that is EnerGuide rated 80 or above or an Energy Star home in Ontario, may receive a rebate of 10% of the [mortgage insurance] premium excluding taxes,” says Jason Neziol, vice-president of regional sales in Ontario for Genworth Financial Canada.

“If they decide to take a 30-year amortization instead of a 25-year, the client would typically pay 20 extra basis points,” Mr. Neziol says. “We will rebate that full amount to the [qualified] client when the house closes. If a client takes a $300,000 mortgage at 5% down and a 30-year amortization … they would receive $1,425 back.”

The benefits are also available to high-ratio borrowers who improve the energy efficiency of an existing home.

Article content “The client can purchase a home and do renovations to increase its energy efficiency,” Mr. Neziol says. “They have to move the EnerGuide rating five points to a minimum of 40.”

With just 20% of new homes in Ontario attracting a green rating, energy-efficiency credentials are not, evidently, at the top of all buyers’ lists.

“A lot of people look at what they can do that won’t cost a lot of money and afford a quick pay-back,’” says Gary Siegle, regional manager of Invis, Alberta South and Saskatchewan. “The green mortgage rebate is a sweetener to get you there, but it is not a quick payback” on the full cost of the renovations.

Beginning Jan. 1, Ontario will have one of the most rigorous building codes in North America: “With Energy Star, we are taking an already fairly high baseline and making it that much more efficient,” Mr. McBurney says. “Usually about 25% more efficient.”

Green-certified buildings that meet a higher standard and provide longer-term savings attract consumers, Mr. McBurney says, but acknowledges that North American’s relatively low energy costs make it less of a priority for some.

“The reality is I pay more to operate my BlackBerry on a monthly basis than I do to heat my home in the middle of winter,” he says. “As long as energy prices in Canada remain as low as they are, people are likely to continue on with their busy lives rather than make energy efficiency in their homes a priority.”

Local Law 152: Updates For Q3 And Q4 2022 - Sanitary Plumbing™

If you are a property owner or manager in New York City, chances are that Local Law 152, which governs gas piping inspections, applies to your building. After offering an extension for meeting the requirements of the law for the first half of 2021 due to Covid restrictions, the city issued a Local Law 152 update in April.

The update applies to the remainder of the year and through the end of 2024. Be sure to check out the news below, familiarize yourself with the details of Local Law 152, and then schedule your inspection as soon as possible to avoid delays.

What Is NYC Local Law 152? Local Law 152 was created in 2016. Implemented in 2019 for all of New York City. The law states that all properties, except for one- and two-family homes in the R-3 dwelling category, must undergo periodic gas piping safety inspections.

These inspections take place once every four years on a rotating schedule. Only a licensed master plumber (LMP), such as Sanitary Plumbing, or someone working directly under a licensed master plumber with the proper qualifications, can provide the inspection.

Inspection process

A Gas Piping Periodic Inspection Report (GPS1) is given to the building owner by the LMP within 30 days of completing the inspection. The property owner must then file a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2) within 60 days of the inspection.

The GPS2 certification is completed by the party that performs the inspection, and it is signed and sealed. It is submitted to the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), free of charge via a dedicated online portal.

Property owners are required by law to keep all documentation pertaining to Local Law 152 for at least 10 years.

What Is the Local Law 152 Update for the Second Half of 2021?

Q3 and Q4 2021 inspections

Buildings in Community Districts 1, 3, and 10 across all boroughs of the city are required to complete their inspections and submit their inspection certifications by June 30, 2021. This was the extension granted due to the pandemic.

According to the most recent update from the city, dated April 15, 2021, by December 31, 2021, properties in Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs must have completed their inspections and submitted their Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2).

A summary of the city-wide inspection schedule is as follows:

DATE RANGE FOR INSPECTION BUILDINGS IN COMMUNITY DISTRICTS

January 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 1, 3, and 10 in all boroughs

January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs

January 1, 2022 local law 97 new york city experts - December 31, 2022 4, 6, 8, 9, and 16 in all boroughs

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17 in all boroughs

January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 1, 3 and 10 in all boroughs

Inspections will be required every fourth calendar year by December 31th starting in 2021.

Parts of building inspected

All exposed gas piping from where the gas service enters your building must be inspected. This includes service meters for the building, piping in public spaces like hallways, and piping in boiler and mechanical rooms.

Buildings without gas piping

There are some buildings that have no gas piping. If this applies to your property, you are not required to undergo an inspection. Instead, every four years you must submit certification from a licensed design professional, such as an architect, stating that you have no gas piping.

Failing a gas piping inspection

It is possible to fail a gas piping inspection. Barring the discovery of emergency conditions that require the inspector to evacuate the building and call 911, you have 120 days to fix any problems and submit a Certification of Correction. Like other Local Law 152 documentation, this must also be signed and sealed by your licensed master plumber.

Sometimes, it takes longer than 120 days to perform repairs and submit the proper documentation. As long as your licensed master plumber indicates that you need extra time when filling out the initial GPS1 Inspection Report, you may have 180 days in total to complete repairs and submit your certification through the DOB portal. Therefore, it is imperative that you communicate with your inspector and request extra time from the outset of the process.

Unsure which Community District your property is in

If you are not sure which Community District your property is in, you can search for your address with the Department of City Planning. The city provides an online mechanism for doing this quickly and easily:

https://communityprofiles.planning.nyc.gov/.

Don’t Wait to Schedule Your Inspection

Stay on top of Local Law 152

Penalties for failing to comply with New York City Local Law 152 can include citations, large fines, and even closure of your building. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to schedule your gas piping inspection, as licensed master plumbers are often busy.

The longer you wait to schedule, the more likely you’ll run into a full calendar between other properties’ inspections, the holidays, and the arrival of the heating season in the fall, when plumbers can become extremely busy with radiator calls.

Also, if there are any problems uncovered during your inspection, you want to give yourself plenty of time to fix them. You may need to order parts, and of course, you need to allow time for your plumber to complete the work, as well as a new inspection and the paperwork that ensues.

Why not schedule your inspection as soon as possible, so you have the peace of mind of knowing it’s done? Call Sanitary Plumbing today at 212-734-5000, or simply reach out online to schedule your gas piping inspection.

Making Homes More Energy Efficient To Reduce Energy Bills, Create Jobs, And Cut Pollution™

Climate action starts at home. By helping Canadians make their homes more energy efficient, the Government of Canada is making it easier for them to reduce their energy bills and making their lives more affordable. This will cut pollution, create jobs and growth, and build a cleaner future for all Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today launched the new Canada Greener Homes Grant, which will help up to 700,000 Canadian homeowners across the country improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills through an investment of $2.6 billion over seven local law 97 new york city experts years.

Homeowners will be able to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make energy efficient retrofits to their primary residences, and up to $600 to help with the cost of home energy evaluations. Eligible home improvements and upgrades include replacing windows and doors, adding insulation, sealing air leaks, improving heating and cooling systems - such as with heat pumps - and purchasing renewable energy systems like solar panels.

To support this new initiative, we announced last week our commitment to recruit and train up to 2,000 new energy advisors to help provide guidance, advice, and timely evaluations to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This recruitment, with a focus on advancing diversity and inclusion, will create new jobs and economic growth that benefits everyone.

Today’s announcement is just one of the many steps the Government of Canada is taking to fight climate change, reduce pollution, and protect the environment. Through Canada’s climate plan, we are making life more affordable for Canadians, creating good middle class jobs, and building a stronger and cleaner economy for everyone.

Quotes

“Whether replacing a drafty window, adding insulation, or making upgrades ahead of a tough Canadian winter, today’s investment will help Canadians make their homes more comfortable and life more affordable. Improving the energy efficiency of our homes not only cuts down on pollution, it also creates new jobs, economic growth, and a cleaner future for everyone. “Canadians are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills. Do their part to fight climate change. We are driving economic activity and creating jobs by improving energy efficiency and helping Canadians lower their carbon footprint. The Canada Greener Homes Grant is good for your wallet, good for the economy, and good for the planet.”

“The homes and buildings of Canadians account for almost 20 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, so retrofitting our homes to make them more comfortable and efficient won’t just save money, it’s an important measure in the fight against climate change.”

“Tackling climate change, creating jobs and growth, and building a cleaner future for all Canadians are top priorities for the Government of Canada. The new Canada Greener Homes Grant will help make the lives of homeowners across the country more affordable by reducing their energy bills and making their homes more energy efficient. This initiative is an important part of our plan to build cleaner, more inclusive communities, tackle climate change, and drive to net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Quick Facts

- The Canada Greener Homes Grant is retroactive to December 1, 2020. - Homeowners can go online to register, plan, and document their progress, which includes applying for their pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, choosing from a list of eligible retrofits, scheduling a post-retrofit evaluation, and applying for reimbursement. - To participate in this new initiative, a homeowner’s primary residence must be at least six months old, from the date of occupancy by the first homeowner, and eligible for an EnerGuide evaluation. Residences include single and semi-detached houses, row housing, townhomes, mobile homes on a permanent foundation, permanently moored floating homes, small multi-unit residential buildings (up to three storeys with a footprint of up to 600m2), and mixed-use buildings (residential portion only). - Retrofits that help protect homes from weather events - such as floods, wind damage, and power outages - are also eligible for the grant if they are done in combination with measures that improve energy efficiency. - Buildings, including homes, account for 13 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. When taking into account space and water heating as well as electricity use for cooling, lighting, and appliances, this brings the total to 18 per cent. Retrofitting existing homes is an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Home energy retrofits that reduce consumption of heating oil. Natural gas will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving money. - Today’s investment was included in the Fall Economic Statement 2020, and approved on May 6, 2021 through the adoption of Bill C-14, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 30, 2020 and other measures. - Announced in December 2020, Canada’s strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, includes $15 billion in investments to help achieve our economic and environmental goals. - The plan includes measures to make it easier for Canadians to improve the energy efficiency of the places where they live and gather, including through investments in retrofits.

Wireless Self-powered Visual And NDE Robotic Inspection System For Live Gas Distribution Mains (Technical Report)™

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) under contract from Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory (DoE/NETL) and check building violations nyc co-funding from the Northeast Gas Association (NGA), has completed the overall system design of the next-generation Explorer-II (X-II) live gas main NDE and visual inspection robot platform. The design is based on the Explorer-I prototype which was built and field-tested under a prior (also DoE- and NGA co-funded) program, and served as the validation that self-powered robots under wireless control could access and navigate live natural gas distribution mains. The X-II system design (approx8 ft. and 66 lbs.) was heavily based on the X-I design, yet was substantially expanded to allow the addition of NDE sensor systems (while retaining its visual inspection capability), making it a modular system, and expanding its ability to operate at pressures up to 750 psig (high-pressure and unpiggable steel-pipe distribution mains). A new electronics architecture and on-board software kernel were added to again improve system performance. A locating sonde system was integrated to allow for absolute position-referencing during inspection (coupled with external differential GPS) and emergency-locating. The power system was upgraded to utilize lithium-based battery-cells for an increase in mission-time. The system architecture now relies on a dual set ofmore » end camera-modules to house the 32-bit processors (Single-Board Computer or SBC) as well as the imaging and wireless (off-board) and CAN-based (on-board) communication hardware and software systems (as well as the sonde-coil and -electronics). The drive-module (2 ea.) are still responsible for bracing (and centering) to drive in push/pull fashion the robot train into and through the pipes and obstacles. The steering modules and their arrangement, still allow the robot to configure itself to perform any-angle (up to 90 deg) turns in any orientation (incl. vertical), and enable the live launching and recovery of the system using custom fittings and a (to be developed) launch-chamber/-tube. The battery modules are used to power the system, by providing power to the robot's bus. The support modules perform the functions of centration for the rest of the train as well as odometry pickups using incremental encoding schemes. The electronics architecture is based on a distributed (8-bit) microprocessor architecture (at least 1 in ea. module) communicating to a (one of two) 32-bit SBC, which manages all video-processing, posture and motion control as well as CAN and wireless communications. The operator controls the entire system from an off-board (laptop) controller, which is in constant wireless communication with the robot train in the pipe. The sensor modules collect data and forward it to the robot operator computer (via the CAN-wireless communications chain), who then transfers it to a dedicated NDE data-storage and post-processing computer for further (real-time or off-line) analysis. CMU has fully designed every module in terms of the mechanical, electrical and software elements (architecture only). Substantial effort has gone into pre-prototyping to uncover mechanical, electrical and software issues for critical elements of the design. Design requirements for sensor-providers were also detailed and finalized and provided to them for inclusion in their designs. CMU is expecting to start 2006 with a detailed design effort for both mechanical and electrical components, followed by procurement and fabrication efforts in late winter/spring 2006. The assembly and integration efforts will occupy all of the spring and summer of 2006. Software development will also be a major effort in 2006, and will result in porting and debugging of code on the module- and train-levels in late summer and Fall of 2006.

Energy Audit: Where Exactly To Invest And Ramp Up Your Home’s Efficiency™

Article content Building envelope People want a “one-size-fits-all solution and that doesn’t exist,” says Christopher Straka, principal with Ottawa’s Vert Design, a residential and commercial planning, design and development firm. Straka’s company designed Canada’s first certified passive home, which uses about one-tenth the energy for heating and cooling that a conventional Canadian house does.

Energy Audit: Where exactly to invest and ramp up your home’s efficiency Back to video

Every home has its own energy strengths and weaknesses, he explains, based on age, construction and other factors. Only an energy audit can pinpoint your individual energy issues.

Mr. Straka says that unless you’re building a custom home and can orient it for free heating from solar gain, your best bet is still tightening up the building’s envelope: caulking and weatherstripping to reduce leakage, adding insulation, and better windows and doors.

Article content Plugging air leaks and topping up insulation can save over $400 a year, according to energy provider Direct Energy. Upgrading insulation in a 1,200-square-foot attic costs about $1,200.

For insulation, anything less than R12 in the walls and basement, R20 for exposed floors and cathedral ceilings and R40 in the attic calls for upgrading, says Ross Elliott of Ottawa’s Homesol Building Solutions and a veteran home energy auditor and energy designer. “Going from R10 to R20 gives you the biggest boost: it’s the first few inches that are most important.” After that, the law of diminishing returns sets in.

Adding rigid Styrofoam to the outside walls can bridge thermal gaps, which are heat leaks where the fibreglass insulation is interrupted by studs, although you may need to remove the exterior cladding to do so.

Article content If you are replacing windows, opt for triple-glazed with low-E coatings and argon between the panes, Mr. Elliott says. They cost between 20% and 30% more but greater comfort and resale value are among the benefits.

Monster in the basement After the building envelope comes mechanical systems.

A high-efficiency furnace costs $3,000 to $6,000 installed, but can shave more than $500 a year on heating bills if your current furnace is more than 20 years old, according to Direct Energy.

Natural Resources Canada’s Home Heating System Cost Calculator (oee.nrcan.gc.ca) lets you compare your existing system to other heating systems and fuel sources.

An aging air conditioning system can also suck up energy dollars.

Switching from a standard hot water system to a tankless (on-demand) type can slash $150 or more from annual costs for a family of four. It costs about $3,000 installed.

Article content Mr. Elliott suggests checking out condensing hot water heaters, which capture heat from burned gases for reuse, achieving more than 90% efficiency in the process.

He also ranks a heat recovery ventilator or other ventilation system as an essential investment for humidity control and healthy indoor air.

Despite the range of upgrade possibilities, “the answers aren’t that complicated,” Mr. Straka says.

“It’s a matter of looking at three or four different options and then reshuffling your deck of cards till you get what you want.”

Coincidentally, a recent study by the United States’ Shelton Group, a U.S.-based advertising agency specializing in green products and services, found the average homeowner needs to make about four improvements in energy efficiency for bills to drop.

Article content If you are planning to retrofit your home or are considering buying a resale home, NR-Can and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. have produced fact sheets that include recommended upgrades for 11 housing types in five regions of Canada: cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/reensa/reensa-001.cfm.

Other useful publications Planning Energy Efficiency Renovations for Your Home (oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/planning/index.cfm?attr4) covers products, hiring contractors and the like. Keeping the Heat In (oee.nrcan.gc.ca) includes advice on how to retrofit.

Emerging technologies The National Research Council and NRCan are studying a raft of new energy-efficiency products including ultra-efficient Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) with R values about five times that of conventional insulation.

Article content Other items on the test bench include mini-split heat pumps for heating and cooling. Unlike standard air-source heat pumps, which are only effective to about - 5 C, these will produce heat at - 20 C or colder.

NRCan and CMHC also recommend old-school technology such as awnings and roll shutters for south- and west-facing windows as an effective way to cut cooling costs.

And, as we all know, turning down the thermostat in the winter and turning it up during air conditioning season can save a bundle.

Energy-gobbling gizmos

hinkstock/Getty ImagesThe culprits? Everything from energy-gobbling appliances, like old beer fridges, to our bottomless appetite for more electronic devices in our homes. Many of those devices also have “always-on” features like clocks and instant-on capability that suck up power 24/7, accounting for five to 10 per cent of the power consumed in a typical Canadian home, according to NRCan.

Article content Among the biggest energy wasters are charging stations for cellphones and the like, says Hydro Ottawa spokeswoman Linda Bruce. “People plug them in and go to bed, but they keep drawing power all night.” Since it only takes three or four hours to charge a device, she suggests using a timed power bar ($24.99 at Canadian Tire) to cut power to the charging station entirely.

For more energy saving ideas, visit Ontario Power Authority’s site at saveonenergy.ca.

Also, check out NRCan’s online calculator for energy consumption by appliances (oee.nrcan.gc.ca).

Using Hydro Ottawa’s current electricity rates, the calculator shows, for example, a saving of more than $700 over 14 years by switching from a mid-to a high-efficiency clothes washer and using it during off-peak hours (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.).

Article content Even with the higher cost of an ultra-efficient appliance, rising electricity rates will mean increased savings. You’ll also use less water.

How to save Yes, little things do add up to big things when it comes to energy conservation. Here are some little energy-saving tips.

• Electronic devices continue to consume “phantom” or standby power even when not being used, adding 5% to 10% to your energy bill. Culprits include televisions and home theatre systems, computers (including monitors and printers), cellphone and other chargers and game consoles.

Solution: Plug the devices into power bars so you can cut the electricity supply when it’s not needed.

• Set-top boxes that bring cable and other services to your television are among the worst phantom power hogs. Depending on the number and configuration, they can consume more power than a central air conditioning system, according to a detailed New York Times article.

Article content They often can’t be unplugged because they take forever to reboot. Look for Energy Star models with the lowest phantom power consumption and minimize the number you own.

• When using a dishwasher, Ontario Power Authority suggests air drying your dishes, using the air-dry setting (or energy saver) option, or just leaving the door open. Visit saveonenergy.ca for more tips.

• Think twice before you buy a digital picture frame, or at least either unplug it when no one’s home or put it on a power bar with a timer.

The Electric Power Research Institute, a non-profit research group, estimates that if every household in America ran one digital picture frame around the clock, five additional power plants would be needed to operate them.

Article content • Air conditioners are among a home’s biggest energy hogs and units from the 1970s can use up to 50% more power than today’s models, according to the United States Department of Energy. Even 10-year-old systems can be 20% to 40% less efficient than new models. Look for Energy Star-certified units. As well, shade the condenser from the sun and keep it free from leaves and other debris to achieve maximum efficiency.

• Cut heating costs up to 5% by changing furnace filters every one to three months.

You know that old beer fridge may be wasting up to $125 a year in electricity. You also know that Ontario Power Authority will haul it away for free. But did you realize that dirty coils on the back or bottom of your fridge or freezer make it work harder? Vacuum them every couple of months, more often if you have a pet that sheds hair.

Check the seal on your refrigerator or freezer. Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, replace the gasket.

• To maximize the life of CFL bulbs, leave them on at least 15 minutes, but then turn them off when you local law 84 compliance consulting solutions leave the room.

Contrary to what you may have heard, re-energizing bulbs uses minimal electricity.

For a guide to buying CFL bulbs, which is as complicated as choosing wine, see hydroottawa.com/residential/ saveonenergy/tips-andtools/lighting.

• Going on vacation? Consider un-plugging your refrigerator. Using timers on your indoor lights.

Local Law 152: New Gas Piping Inspection Requirements™

Local Law 152 was passed by the NYC Council in 2016 as part of a ll87 covered buildings list gas safety package. Local Law 152 specifically requires that NYC building owners have their building gas piping inspected periodically.

Local Law 152 (Intro 1088) and Local Law 150 (Intro 738)

LL 152 requires that, commencing January 1, 2019, owners of buildings with gas piping systems have such systems periodically inspected for damage, illegal hookups, etc.

LL 150 bars individuals from performing work on gas piping systems after January 1, 2020, unless such individuals are (1) licensed master plumbers, (2) hold a gas qualification or (3) hold a limited gas qualification and perform work under the personal and immediate supervision of a gas qualification holder.

See below links for the full text of these important laws.

Local Law 152 - Intro. 1088

Local Law 150 - Intro. 738

New Gas Piping Inspection FAQs

What is Local Law 152?

Local Law 152 of 2016 was part of a larger package of regulations concerning gas line safety. Specifically, 152 requires periodic inspections for gas piping systems. The DOB’s proposed rules clarify timing, filing requirements, and civil penalties for noncompliance.

The November 13, 2019 NYC Department of Buildings service update can be found here.

Which buildings does the law apply to?

Building gas piping systems except for gas piping systems classified in occupancy group R-3 must be periodically inspected.

Per code, occupancy group R-3 includes “buildings or portions thereof containing no more than 2 dwelling units,” like convents and monasteries with fewer than 20 occupants, group homes, and 1 & 2 family dwellings. If you’re unsure of your property classification, you can find your building’s occupancy group on the Certificate of Occupancy.

Inspections must be performed and submitted once every 5 years, with different due date cycles for each borough:

• January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Will Local Law 152 Force Your Illegal Laundry Room To Come Clean?™

Complying with the gas piping inspection requirements of Local Law 152 is putting owners of small buildings with illegal laundry rooms in a lather. Local Law 152 was passed as part of a larger package of regulations concerning gas line safety. Specifically, it imposes periodic inspections for gas piping systems. The Insider spoke with Carl Borenstein, president of Veritas Property Management, who explains why-and offers some potentially cheaper solutions to the compliance problem.

Insider: New York's initiative to have every building's gas lines inspected is causing unexpected problems in many smaller buildings with laundry rooms. What exactly is going on in these buildings?

Borenstein: Many smaller buildings have laundry rooms in their basement with gas-operated dryers, and these laundry rooms aren’t on the building’s certificate of occupancy, so they are not considered legal. In the wake of all the recent gas explosions, the Department of Buildings has been inspecting laundry rooms to make sure gas dryers have hard piping as opposed to flexible piping and have a sprinkler system over the dryers. Add to this Local Law 152, which requires that every building has to have overhead gas pipes inspected by a licensed plumber, and a sniffer gun has to be used. Part of that inspection also requires laundry rooms to be inspected to see if dryers are hard-piped or not.

Insider: What happens if the piping behind your dryers isn’t hard-piped?

Borenstein: If you have flexible piping, a report is submitted to the city saying that you need to make this repair and install hard piping. They might give you about six months, and then if you’re not compliant, there could be a $10,000 fine.

Insider: So couldn’t you just fix the piping problem?

Borenstein: You could hire a plumber to replace the flexible connectors and hard-pipe your dryers. The problem is you need to file a permit, and to get a permit you have to show that the laundry room is on your certificate of occupancy. It becomes this vicious little cycle that you can't do what you need to do because your laundry room isn’t legal.

Insider: Are there options for a building with an illegal laundry room and flexible piped dryers?

Borenstein: There’s a couple of options. The most expensive, legitimate way to do this is to hire an engineer and file a DOB permit, what's called an alteration type 2, to try to legalize the room without amending your certificate of occupancy. Legalizing the room normally requires that laundry rooms that have been in existence for who knows how many years have a lot of things they probably don't have right now-for example, a floor drain, a slop sink, a lint catcher, a hardwired smoke detector, air vents, and proper exhausting. All these things would have to be put in. So between an engineer, a plumber, an electrician, and filing, you're probably going to spend between $25,000 to $50,000 to get this legalized.

Insider: Are there any other options?

Borenstein: There are two other options. Some buildings might say, "Forget about having a gas dryer, let's upgrade our electrical panel and put in enough amperage, and ask the laundry company to switch out the gas dryers to electric dryers." But your building may not have enough power for three or four dryers. While this option is not nearly as expensive as trying to legalize the laundry room, it’s still a costly fix. Depending on your current amperage, what you need to bring in and the number of dryers you have, it could be $7,000 to $15,000.

Then there's option three, which is to bring in a plumber without filing for a permit and simply hard-pipe the dryers on your own. So when an inspector comes in, they will see hard-pipe dryers and you’ll meet Local Law 152 requirements, assuming there's no other gas leaks within the building. To be honest, I have seen buildings deciding to go with this option because at the end of the day, filing for an alteration type 2 permit and doing the hard piping of the gas line accomplishes the same thing-making a safer laundry room-even if it isn’t legalized.

Insider: For many buildings, it really is a matter of money, since they may not have enough for legalizing the laundry room.

Borenstein: In the past, laundry companies were actually very generous by offering to give a building money to legalize its laundry room if it renewed for a 10-year deal instead of seven years. But in Manhattan, laundry companies have taken a huge beating because of the exodus from the city and are not making the same income as they once did, so they're no longer as generous. Hopefully they will come back as the pandemic ends. People start to move back in. But right now, most have probably taken it on the chin, and are not about to give out any funds to buildings to do anything other than putting in their equipment.

Insider: What are most of your clients choosing to do?

Borenstein: A number of buildings are ll87 covered buildings list upgrading to electric dryers. If you're in the outer boroughs, and you haven't suffered the mass exodus as Manhattan has, some of the laundry companies are still offering bonus options to help you legalize your room. I actually manage a building in Riverdale that's doing this. Because Local Law 152 inspections are in different cycles depending on community board groups, their inspection is due next year. This will hopefully give us more than enough time to get the legalization of the room. Not have to be concerned about when we do the Local Law 152 tests. So the outer boroughs might be faring a lot better than Manhattan at this point.

City Council Extends Local Law 152 Gas Pipe Inspection Deadline™

Local Law 152 requires that all buildings with gas piping, except R-3 occupancy buildings (which are mostly one- and two-family dwellings), have their gas piping system inspected at certain intervals by a licensed master plumber (LMP).

Similar to last year’s extension for the first group of inspections, the City Council recently passed INT 2259-A, extending the deadline for the second group of inspections. These extensions were made to accommodate delays due to the pandemic. Now, instead of a Dec. 31, 2021, deadline, buildings in Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs have until June 30, 2022, to complete their gas piping system filings.

Upcoming Inspection Due Dates

All building gas piping systems must be inspected periodically as per Local Law 152. The only exception is gas piping systems classified in occupancy group R-3. As per the DOB’s building code, occupancy group R-3 applies to buildings or portions of buildings that have two dwelling units or fewer, with fewer than 20 occupants, such as group homes, and one- to two-family dwellings.

Inspections for the gas piping systems are being organized by community district, with the first cycle start date having begun on Jan. 1, 2020. After the initial inspection, inspections must be performed and submitted to the DOB every four years. Inspection due dates for buildings depend on the community district in which the building is located and not by borough. You can get information about your community district at https://communityprofiles.planning.nyc.gov/.

There are four groupings of community districts. Here are the date ranges for the upcoming gas piping inspections in this first cycle:

- Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs: Jan. 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022; - Community Districts 4, 6, 8, 9, and 16 in all boroughs: Jan. 1, 2022 - Dec. 31, 2022; - Community Districts 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17 in all boroughs: Jan. 1, 2023 - Dec. 31, 2023.

If your building doesn’t have a gas piping system, you’ll still be required to comply with this law. Owners must submit to the DOB a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/gps2.pdf), signed and sealed by a registered architect or a professional engineer stating that your building contains no gas piping. This inspection certification must be submitted once every four years by the end of the inspection date range for the community district in which the building is located.

Conditions Requiring Corrections

DOB rules require submission of a certification that all conditions identified in the inspection report have been corrected no later than 120 days, or if more time is needed, no later than 180 days following the inspection business energy audits date. According to the text of the passed bill:

…if the certification form indicates that there are one or more conditions requiring correction, such building owners may submit the certification form to the department later than 120 days following the building’s inspection date or later than 180 days following the building’s inspection date as provided in item 4 of section 28-318.3.3 of the administrative code of the city of New York, but in no event shall the certification form be submitted later than June 30, 2022.

However, this doesn’t impact requirements for reporting and correcting unsafe or hazardous conditions. If an inspection reveals any unsafe or hazardous condition(s), the licensed master plumber must immediately notify the building owner, the utility providing gas service to the building, and the DOB. The building owner must take immediate action to correct the condition(s) in compliance with the NYC Construction Codes and any required permits. The text of the bill states, “ Nothing in this section shall affect the requirements to report and correct unsafe or hazardous conditions revealed by a gas piping system inspection as set forth in section 28-318.3.4 of the administrative code of the city of New York.”

Buildings with No Active Gas Service

INT 2321-A allows owners of buildings with gas piping, but no active gas service, to skip Local Law 152 inspections as long as they provide certification from their utility company and themselves that there’s no active gas service in their building. If they resume gas service they must obtain a certificate of approval of gas installation from the DOB and comply with the gas piping inspection and certification requirements of Local Law 152.

6 Home Energy Efficiency Tips. The U.S. Department Of Energy Estimates…™

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 22.5% of the country’s energy is collectively used by its 115 million residences, who on average spend $2,200 a year on energy bills. Needless to say, finding ways to increase home energy efficiency is in everyone’s best interest - it’s great for the environment, saves homeowners money, and helps families stay comfortable throughout the year. Here are a few simple tips for making your home more energy efficient:

1) Properly insulate your home

Proper insulation also cuts down on noise pollution, permits better temperature and humidity control, and reduces the number of allergens and pests that can get into the home. It can also save up to 20% on heating and cooling bills. Sealing door trims; weatherstripping windows; insulating the attic, basement, and crawl spaces; and sealing leaky ductwork all go a long way to improving energy efficiency and reducing energy expenses. This is by far the easiest thing to do. It can save you 2-5% on your energy bill. We know it can be a pain to walk around the house unplugging everything, so consider outfitting your home with timers or smart devices to save you the hassle. Automate your lights with smart bulbs like those from Phillips Hue, or with smart wall outlets like the Belkin WeMo.

3) Close your drapes and curtains

In the warm months, closing your curtains or drapes on the sunny side of your home helps reduce the temperature of those rooms by limiting how much sunlight they get. Opening curtains in the winter lets more light in and increases the temperature. In both cases, you’ll reduce how hard your heating and cooling system has to work to balance those rooms with the rest of the house.

4) Invest in a programmable thermostat

When properly programmed by yourself or an HVAC professional, programmable thermostats can save you 5% to 15% on your heating and cooling costs. By setting your programmable thermostats to a heating and cooling schedule, you’ll ensure that you are only running your system when you need it. Smart thermostats - such as those from Keen Home partners Nest and Ecobee - go even further. They can regulate the temperature based on your presence, your proximity to your home, and triggers from other devices (such as Smart Vents, your car, or sensors in your home).

5) Clean or change your HVAC return air filters regularly

Your HVAC return vent is an integral part of your home’s heating and cooling system. Air from inside the home is pulled in through it, warmed or cooled by your furnace or AC, and then supplied to the rest of the home through supply registers. Every return vent has a filter that prevents dirt, dust, and other particles from entering your system and transported to other areas of the home. If the filter is dirty or clogged, it will reduce airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool you down.

6) Replace your “dumb” vent registers with Smart Vents

It’s common for homeowners to close vent registers in rooms that go unused throughout the day or are too warm or too cold due to temperature imbalances. As we’ll discuss next week, this has its limitations, but installing Keen Home Smart Vents will give you all the benefits without the shortcomings. With Smart Vents you can intelligently create zones in your home, effectively reducing the square footage that what is ll84 needs to be heated or cooled at a given time. Want one room to be cooler than the rest? Use your Smart Vents to redirect air between rooms. You can reserve Smart Vents today.

The key to saving energy and money in your home is take a whole-house approach to energy efficiency. Think of each part of the home as interdependent parts contributing to your overall energy output. Improving the efficiency of any part will raise overall efficiency for the entire home, meaning less impact on the environment and more money in your wallet. Who doesn’t want that?

Keen Home builds proactive devices that make the core functions of the home smarter, more comfortable, and more efficient. Get in contact with us at contact@keenhome.io.

6 Home Energy Efficiency Tips. The U.S. Department Of Energy Estimates…™

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 22.5% of the country’s energy is collectively used by its 115 million residences, who on average spend $2,200 a year on energy bills. Needless to say, finding ways to increase home energy efficiency is in everyone’s best interest - it’s great for the environment, saves homeowners money, and helps families stay comfortable throughout the year. Here are a few simple tips for making your home more energy efficient:

1) Properly insulate your home

Proper insulation also cuts down on noise pollution, permits better temperature and humidity control, and reduces the number of allergens and pests that can get into the home. It can also save up to 20% on heating and cooling bills. Sealing door trims; weatherstripping windows; insulating the attic, basement, and crawl spaces; and sealing leaky ductwork all go a long way to improving energy efficiency and reducing energy expenses. This is by far the easiest thing to do. It can save you 2-5% on your energy bill. We know it can be a pain to walk around the house unplugging everything, so consider outfitting your home with timers or smart devices to save you the hassle. Automate your lights with smart bulbs like those from Phillips Hue, or with smart wall outlets like the Belkin WeMo.

3) Close your drapes and curtains

In the warm months, closing your curtains or drapes on the sunny side of your home helps reduce the temperature of those rooms by limiting how much sunlight they get. Opening curtains in the winter lets more light in and increases the temperature. In both cases, you’ll reduce how hard your heating and cooling system has to work to balance those rooms with the rest of the house.

4) Invest in a programmable thermostat

When properly programmed by yourself or an HVAC professional, programmable thermostats can save you 5% to 15% on your heating and cooling costs. By setting your programmable thermostats to a heating and cooling schedule, you’ll ensure that you are only running your system when you need it. Smart thermostats - such as those from Keen Home partners Nest and Ecobee - go even further. They can regulate the temperature based on your presence, your proximity to your home, and triggers from other devices (such as Smart Vents, your car, or sensors in what is ll84 your home).

5) Clean or change your HVAC return air filters regularly

Your HVAC return vent is an integral part of your home’s heating and cooling system. Air from inside the home is pulled in through it, warmed or cooled by your furnace or AC, and then supplied to the rest of the home through supply registers. Every return vent has a filter that prevents dirt, dust, and other particles from entering your system and transported to other areas of the home. If the filter is dirty or clogged, it will reduce airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool you down.

6) Replace your “dumb” vent registers with Smart Vents

It’s common for homeowners to close vent registers in rooms that go unused throughout the day or are too warm or too cold due to temperature imbalances. As we’ll discuss next week, this has its limitations, but installing Keen Home Smart Vents will give you all the benefits without the shortcomings. With Smart Vents you can intelligently create zones in your home, effectively reducing the square footage that needs to be heated or cooled at a given time. Want one room to be cooler than the rest? Use your Smart Vents to redirect air between rooms. You can reserve Smart Vents today.

The key to saving energy and money in your home is take a whole-house approach to energy efficiency. Think of each part of the home as interdependent parts contributing to your overall energy output. Improving the efficiency of any part will raise overall efficiency for the entire home, meaning less impact on the environment and more money in your wallet. Who doesn’t want that?

Keen Home builds proactive devices that make the core functions of the home smarter, more comfortable, and more efficient. Get in contact with us at contact@keenhome.io.

Local Law 152: Updated Requirements For Boards And Buildings™

For more information on how to complete local law projects and funding them, download our Capital Improvements guide using the form below. Download Now Open Form

*As of November 2021, the New York City Council has extended Local Law 152 gas pipeline inspection deadlines for boards and building owners located in Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18. Click here to read more.

On Dec. 18, the New York City Council voted to extend 2020 deadlines for building owners to complete gas pipeline inspections required by Local Law 152. The extension specifically effects buildings located in Community Districts 1, 3 and 10 in all boroughs which now have until June 30, 2021 to file inspections and certifications with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Buildings located in Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13 and 18 in all boroughs are still expected to file with the DOB by December 31, 2021, as originally required.

Despite this welcomed reprieve from the City Council, FirstService Residential recommends that buildings move forward with any previously scheduled inspections in the event of unforeseen violations or deficiencies in the building’s gas piping systems. A Brief History of Local Law 152

Local Law 152 was enacted in 2016 and is one component of a 10-piece legislative package designed to prevent dangerous gas leaks and pipeline explosions in New York City. The local laws cover inspection schedules, fines for non-compliance or existing hazardous conditions, the installation of combustible gas leak indicators or detection devices, and how building owners are expected to notify residents in the event of a gas leak among other requirements.

Local Law 152 requires the periodic inspection of gas piping systems of all buildings at least once every four years. For multifamily properties, this includes exposed gas piping outside and inside the building, in boiler rooms, in all amenity and common spaces, rooftop mechanical spaces and publicly-accessible areas. Owners of mixed-use residential properties with subcomponent spaces (i.e. retail, offices, community facilities, etc.) will also need to complete piping inspections in these areas of the building.

Initially, Local Law 152 filing deadlines were scheduled and organized by borough. In 2019, the filing deadlines were modified according to individual Community Districts in all boroughs.

As of November 2021, current deadlines are as follows:

What Does a Local Law 152 Inspection Entail?

All gas piping inspections must be completed by a New York City-Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) or a qualified individual working under the direct supervision of an LMP at least once every four years. Within 30 days of each inspection, the LMP must complete and deliver a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report that details all results for the building owner or board to review. This report will include a list of conditions requiring correction, frayed or worn piping components that affect safe and reliable operation, non-code compliant installations or illegal connections, the detection of combustible gas and any other conditions determined to be unsafe by the LMP. The LMP will also verify that portable combustible gas indicators. Detection devices are present in the building. Click here for a list of acceptable devices approved by the New York State Department of Public Service.

No later than 60 days following a building’s inspection date, the building owner must submit the inspection report to the DOB. Any reports submitted more than 60 days after the inspection date will require a new inspection. Failure to submit a certified inspection will result in a $10,000 fine. All inspection reports and certifications must be kept on file for 10 years and be made available to the DOB upon request. Unsafe or Hazardous Conditions

If the LMP determines existing conditions to be hazardous or unsafe, an immediate notification must be delivered to the building owner, the utility providing gas service to the building, and to the DOB. Upon notification, corrective action must begin immediately and in compliance with New York City Construction Codes, including procurement of all required work permits.

Examples of unsafe/hazardous conditions include: - the detection of combustible gas in surrounding air - evidence of illegal connections or non-code compliant installations - excessive piping corrosion or cracks - any immediate hazard requiring the operator to shut off the gas and lock the meter

Deficient Conditions

In the event that deficient, but not immediately unsafe or hazardous, conditions are identified by the LMP, the building has up to 120 days to correct all deficient conditions, complete another round of inspections to certify any repairs, and file the inspection reports with the DOB. If additional time is needed to correct deficient condition, a building owner can petition the DOB for a 60-day extension. Buildings Exempt from Gas Piping Inspections

Buildings that do not have gas piping are required to certify existing conditions by a registered architect or a professional engineer. The certification must then be filed with the DOB and is subject to the same inspection deadlines as buildings with gas piping systems in the same Community District. Building owners are also required to keep the certifications on file for 10 years. Make them available to the DOB upon request. Failure to file an inspection certification before the applicable due date may result in a civil penalty of $10,000.

Buildings that are classified as Residential Group R-3 are generally exempt from these requirements dependent on the number of rooms or occupants within the property. To verify the classification of your property, refer to the building’s Certificate of Occupancy.

Exemptions are also in place for newly completed buildings that have already certified gas piping inspections. In accordance with the local law, initial inspections for new buildings must be conducted in the tenth year following the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or an official letter of completion from the DOB. FirstService Residential is here to help boards. Building owners comply with Local Law 152. This includes the retention of qualified dob gas inspection contractors and inspectors, the completion of DOB filings on-time or ahead of schedule and access to a library of educational resources to help our managed properties plan, finance and complete any necessary capital improvements.

Local Law 152: Your Questions Answered local 152 gas inspection About Periodic Gas Piping Inspections - Calray Boilers™

If you are a property manager in New York City, you have no doubt heard about Local Law 152 pertaining to the periodic gas piping inspections. However, some new property owners and superintendents, as well as new building staff, may not be completely familiar with the law. Here are answers to some common questions, along with links to more detailed information, so you can ensure your building is in compliance.

Where, when, and what

Local Law 152 was created in 2016. However, it required an update from the New York Department of Buildings in the fall of 2019 before it could be implemented in January 2020. As of that date, many properties in New York City are required to undergo periodic inspection of their gas piping.

This law affects many properties in New York City. Buildings of two families or less (class R-3) are exempt. But, every other property, both commercial and residential, must have its gas piping inspected at routine intervals.

The inspection must be performed by appropriate professionals (see below) at least every four years according to the schedule in the update that sorts properties by community district. For 2020, inspections for buildings located in community districts 1, 3 and 10 are required. After the initial rotation has been completed, you must file an inspection report by December 31st every fourth calendar year.

Why is Local Law 152 important?

Safety and compliance

Local Law 152 protects a variety of parties affected by the inspections. Having safe gas piping in your buildings significantly reduces the risk of gas explosions and fires. This then protects tenants, building workers, and neighboring properties. Recent gas explosions in NYC and around other municipalities have shown how devastating the effects of gas hazards and unsafe piping can be.

Furthermore, Local Law 152 protects you as a building owner or property manager. When you keep your gas piping functioning properly, not only are you and your tenants safeguarded from gas accidents. You also reduce the likelihood of financial losses from property damage or lawsuits.

Failure to file an inspection certification can result in a $10,000 civil fine.

What Happens During This Inspection?

The Local Law 152 inspection process starts with three initial steps. First, schedule an inspection with Calray Gas Heat Corp.

During this inspection, all exposed gas piping from the point of entry throughout the building will be inspected. Gas piping within private spaces is exempt. Areas to be inspected include, but are not limited to:

Gas meter stations Public hallways, stairwells, and general public spaces Mechanical and boiler rooms The roof

We will use a portable combustible gas detection device to monitor the gas concentration in the air surrounding the gas piping systems. A gas leak is defined as having at least 0.1% of gas detected in the air. Additionally, our trained inspector will be visually looking for illegal gas connections and a variety of unsafe conditions.

Within 30 days of the inspection, we will submit to the building owner a Gas Piping Periodic Inspection Report (GPS1) showing the written results of the inspection. Additionally, we will provide to the Owner the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2). Within 60 days of the inspection, the building owner must submit this Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2) to the Department of Buildings (DOB). This form is signed and sealed by us as the licensed master plumber and the inspector.

You can submit the GPS2 certification through the dedicated DOB portal online. There is no fee for this, nor is there a login required. But, you must include the report from us.

What happens if something unsafe is discovered in your building?

Taking corrective action

If there are negative findings during your inspection, meaning there are conditions that require correction, you have 120 days to submit a new certification. In these cases, a proposal will be submitted to Management for the necessary corrections. Once repairs are completed, we will sign and seal a new certification for DOB submission.

There may be situations where major repairs are necessary to correct a problem with your building’s gas piping system. And, these repairs may take longer than the normal 120 days. In that instance, you have 180 days to perform the appropriate repairs. This is provided that your LMP indicated additional time was needed for corrections when filling out the initial GPS1 inspection report. Therefore, it’s essential that you communicate clearly with your LMP after the inspection to discuss a timeline for remedying any conditions that need fixing.

What else should you know about Local Law 152?

Final tips

There are a couple of other things you should keep in mind about Local Law 152:

If you’re not sure which district your building is in order to learn of your inspection schedule, you can look it up online with the city. Building owners must keep all Local Law 152 reports. Certifications on file for 10 years. There is no air pressure test or interruption of service with your inspection, so tenants will not be inconvenienced. If you have no gas piping in your building, you need to file a certification every four years from a registered design professional indicating that there is no gas piping to inspect pursuant to Local Law 152. If anyone in the building finds an active gas leak or any other hazardous condition that poses an immediate danger, do not wait to take action. If necessary, such as in the case of a suspected gas leak, evacuate the building and dial 911 for first responders. Do not use any electronic devices, including your cell phone or light switches, in the area of a gas leak.

Who can conduct a gas piping inspection?

Licensed master plumbers (LMP)

Remember, only a licensed master plumber, or a person who meets select qualifications working under the supervision of an LMP, can conduct a piping inspection for Local Law 152.

To learn more about Local Law 152 or to schedule your building inspection, reach out to Calray Gas Heat Corp via our online form. Or, call us at 212-722-5506. We’re happy to inspect your buildings. Don’t risk being out of compliance with Local Law 152. Get in touch today.

Local Law 152; Inspections Of Exposed Gas Piping - Aladdin Plumbing Corp™

On November 16, 2016, the New York City Council passed Local Law 152. This law, approved by the mayor of New York City, is intended to implement immediate inspections of exposed gas piping located in any commercial buildings in the New York City area. In a nutshell, if you own any commercial building you have, until a designated date according to where the building is located, to comply with Local Law 152.

And that is precisely what we are going to take an in depth look at here today. Hopefully, by the end of this post you will be better educated about Local Law 152, what it is, and when and how to comply.

According to the First Follow Up Report regarding Local Law 152, a periodic inspection of gas piping systems is now being required of any commercial buildings, except the ones that are rented for residential use.

Also, according to that follow up, those inspections would be enforced immediately, and performed on those properties every four years. There is a very detailed section on the above link as to when those inspections are to be completed according to which borough the building is located in.

If the building in question just so happens to be yours, and there are no gas pipes in your building, you are not totally exempt from this inspection process.

You still have to adhere to the timetable for the inspections as they pertain to your location, only you must have the building certified by a structural engineer, or the architect of the building, as being free of any gas piping.

It all may sound a bit confusing but, as with any infrastructure, age is the worst enemy and looking at these inspections as an opportunity to take your building’s maintenance regimen to the next level will benefit you and your tenants.

Perhaps the best way to look at Local Law 152 would be the benefits of identifying problems within your gas pipes before they cause you some colossal issues affecting not only your wallet, but your tenants as well!

How Do I Comply With Local Law 152?

Local Law 152 stated that, effective January 1, 2020, gas piping in all buildings except those in occupancy group R3, must be inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber, or an assistant working directly under and being supervised by a Licensed Master Plumber.

The original law, then goes on to state when those inspections were to be completed according to the borough in which the building is located in.

To be in compliance with Local Law 152, the Licensed Master Plumber must provide to you, the building’s owner, a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection report showing the actual results of the inspection.

The Licensed Master Plumber must then use the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection report form (GPS1) which can be found on the Department of Buildings website.

That gets you in compliance with the inspection process of Local Law 152. Now that same information has to be certified by the same Licensed Master Plumber.

Once the results of the inspection are made public, then the problems, if any can be addressed and the building is now ready for certification. The certification takes place through the Department of Buildings website as well by the Licensed nyc local law 152 plumbers Master Plumber using the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2).

While the whole process essentially is to be completed twice, inspection followed by certification, again just look at the advantages of having any problems brought to your attention and dealt with accordingly.

Now, take a further look at some Frequently Asked Questions regarding Local Law 152.

The Inspection of Exposed Gas Piping… What is Exposed Gas Piping?

The purpose of this inspection is to inspect the condition of all gas pipes that are exposed to view. This does not include any pipes that may be above any drop ceiling or behind any access doors.

My Building Has No Gas, and No Gas Piping… Does it Still Need Inspection and Certification?

The Registered Design Professional (RDP) of your building is still responsible for signing off as there being no gas piping in your building. That would be made by item #4 on the GPS2 Certification Certification of No Gas Piping System. The Design Professional or architect of the building would be responsible for reaching out to the designated utility company to verify that the building has no gas service and if there was gas service in the past, that 6the service has been terminated at the meter connection.

My Inspection Was Not Completed…. Does the Whole Process Have to Be Repeated?

Basically, yes. If for whatever reason your inspection was interrupted and never completed, you must begin with a new inspection and certification process according to the law.

Do Gas Appliances Have to Be Inspected in Any Tenant Spaces?

No. This inspection does not include any gas appliances. It is strictly for any exposed gas piping within the building such as hallways, and corridors. No tenant spaces are to be inspected as part of this law regardless of their occupancy classification.

Will There Be Any Leak Tests as Part of This Inspection and Certification?

Yes. The Licensed Master Plumber performing the initial inspection will also conduct the proper leak tests in the inspected areas with accordance to the law.

Will The Leak Test Be Performed in Any Tenant Spaces?

No. The purpose of the inspection and subsequent leak tests are only performed in exposed gas pipe areas leading up to the tenant spaces. No tenant spaces will be inspected, tested, or certified as part of this law.

How Will My Crawlspaces Be Leak Tested?

The Licensed Master Plumber performing the inspection and leak tests will use the appropriate combustible gas detectors to probe any crawlspaces located within your building.

My Building Has a Boiler Room… Will it Be Inspected?

No. There will be no inspections or leak testing performed to any boiler rooms, or mechanical rooms within your building.

What Conditions Must Be Reported Immediately?

Anything that is found to be unsafe or hazardous such as a gas leak, illegal connection, non-compliant installation must be made aware immediately to the utility company, the Department of Buildings, and the owner.

Now, Getting Everything in Order!

The above listed Frequently Asked Questions are just a few of the highlights from the actual FAQ listed in the above link.

When you are faced with this inspection and certification process for your commercial building you need a true professional Licensed Master Plumber with the ability to thoroughly inspect and promptly certify your New York City building.

That is precisely what you will find at Aladdin Plumbing Heating and AC Services.

Our Licensed Master Plumbers understand the need for your building to be compliant with Local Law 152. This team of dedicated professionals will promptly inspect, make the needed corrections, if any, then get your building certified as quickly as possible!

Mike Holmes: Here’s When Being Audited Is A Good Thing™

Article content If you could do a renovation on your home that cost you a fraction of its worth, one that continued to save you money as long as you owned your home, wouldn’t you do it? That’s what you can get with the eco-ENERGY Retrofit program.

Article content This program is offered through the federal government, which has increased the amount of grant money for energy-efficient renovation retrofits. There’s an extra $300-million being invested over the next two years. Most provinces - and now some even local governments - are stepping up as well to match the available money, dollar for dollar. For example, you can get up to $5,000 in federal and up to $5,000 in provincial rebates on work you’ve had done to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Mike Holmes: Here’s when being audited is a good thing Back to video

The point of the eco-ENERGY retrofit grant is to get homeowners to do renovations that effectively reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. It’s a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your home, reduce consumption and the impact on the environment. So you save money. Reduce your carbon footprint.

Article content The money is non-taxable and is available for upgrades on heating systems, ventilation, air conditioning, windows, doors and even toilets. You can replace old, inefficient furnace/AC or water heaters; improve insulation so your house isn’t leaking heat; replace drafty windows and doors.

One of my team members is taking advantage of it in a house he and his wife just bought. He’s changing over the toilets to three-litre flush, as well as upgrading his insulation. Each toilet he installs qualifies him for $65 from the federal government, and $65 matched from the provincial government. And, because he lives in the City of Toronto, he gets another $75 - that’s $130 rebate per toilet. (And, he’ll be saving money in water usage for years to come.

Article content To take advantage of it, you need to first have an energy audit or evaluation of your home by a certified auditor. The energy audit will show you where your home is losing energy through air leakage, drafts and areas of heat loss and where you can improve its performance. (But note that nyc local law 152 plumbers if you don’t have an energy audit BEFORE you do the upgrade, you will not qualify for the rebate.)

You can even get a rebate for some of the cost of the energy audit, as an incentive. And with some improvements, you have an incentive to do better than targets. For example, if you seal your house and do 20% better than the set target, you can get an additional $150. That’s in addition to the $300 you’re eligible for in the first place. You’d be crazy to not apply.

Article content And, that’s on top of what you’re going to be saving every year in heating and cooling or water and energy consumption costs!

The energy auditor uses the blower door test to measure the rate of air leakage in your home. An energy-efficient home will have very little air leakage. To do the test, all windows and doors are closed and an adjustable panel is fitted with a fan into one of the exterior doors. The fan is turned on, drawing air out so the interior house pressure is reduced. This allows exterior air to leak in through unsealed openings or cracks. The rate of that flow, or air infiltration, is measured; those calculations compute the energy-efficiency rating of your home.

Auditors will note the locations of leaks and give that information to the homeowner to do the repairs and upgrades.

Article content After the initial audit, you’ll get an evaluation report and a rating. Then, you can think about what kind of energy upgrades you want to do and what you can afford.

After the work has been done, make sure to get another evaluation to verify you’ve made the necessary improvements. This will prove you have a higher rating. The improvements you made have increased the energy efficiency of your home.

After your first audit, you have 18 months of complete some or all of the work, then book your post-retrofit audit. Then, you can apply to your provincial and federal - and in some cases, municipal - governments for the rebate.

You must make sure the work and the post-retrofit evaluation is done before the program ends (March 31, 2011). And of course, keep all proof of work done (work orders, receipts). You need documentation. The work will need to be verified during the final energy audit.

Article content You can do simple jobs to take advantage of the rebate; it doesn’t need to be very complicated. Replace a toilet or your furnace. Obviously, upgrading your insulation is a bigger job as it involves tearing out drywall and plaster and replacing it. Windows are a bigger job than doors since you have more of them.

Some fixes, such as caulking your windows are cheap. Some will cost a lot more, like buying new EnergyStar appliances or replacing your windows with EnergyStar-rated ones. But everything you do to improve the energy efficiency of your home will help.

For more information on home renovations, go to makeitright.ca.

Myanmar Releases US Journalist Nathan Maung, Who Was Allegedly Tortured In Prison™

On Monday, Nathan Maung's lawyer Tin Zar Oo said charges against her client were dropped after the police chief withdrew the case. He was initially charged with spreading misinformation.

Tin Zar Oo said she is unsure why the charges were dropped but said, "the main thing is that the US embassy was calling for the rights of their citizen and we prepared all the documents for him. I think Nathan Maung got released because of a good cooperation between the embassy and the lawyers," she said.

Like many journalists since the coup, Nathan Maung and Hanthar Nyein were charged with crimes under section 505a of Myanmar's penal code -- a law amended by the military that makes it a crime punishable by up to three years in prison to publish or circulate comments that "cause fear," spread "false news" or incite government employees.

Though the charges against Nathan Maung were dropped, Hanthar Nyein remains in prison charged with spreading misinformation. Lawyer Tin Zar Oo said she believes he will face further charges, but this has not been confirmed.

Tin Zar Oo said Nathan Maung is "happy" to be released but it is bittersweet because his colleague Hanthar Nyein remains ll87 compliance consulting services in prison.

"He will not be allowed to stay in Myanmar anymore so I saw him with a sad face," she said. "He told us that he will try everything he can for Hanthar's release."

CNN Business reached out to Myanmar's military for comment but has not received a response.

Nathan Maung was due to fly out of the country at 7:40 a.m. local time on a ticket arranged by the US Embassy and his destination would be Washington, DC, Tin Zar Oo said. He was transferred from Insein Prison to a Yangon police station on Monday, where he took a Covid test and was permitted to meet his family who live in Myanmar, she said.

The Americans locked up in Myanmar's notorious Insein prison

A State Department official told CNN Business on Monday, "We are following the case very closely but do not have anything new to share at this time."

Under the command of coup leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's military seized power on February 1, sparking months of civilian protests and deadly clashes. As of Tuesday, more than 860 people have been killed by junta-led security forces and at least 6,046 have been arrested since the coup, according to advocacy group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Among them are protesters, activists, journalists, celebrities, government officials, as well as children and bystanders.

The junta has also targeted the press in a bid to stifle information, by suspending the licenses of independent media houses, raiding media offices and issuing arrest warrants for journalists.

Many media workers have been forced into exile abroad or fled to rebel-controlled areas in the jungles. Those who remain in the cities have gone into hiding. Swap safe houses every few days to avoid arrest.

At least 87 journalists have been arrested, with 51 still in detention, Reporting ASEAN documented.

Nathan Maung's release came as the trial of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi began on Monday. The court in the capital, Naypyidaw, heard the first criminal cases against the deposed leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, addressing three charges, including that Suu Kyi violated a communications law by allegedly importing and using a number of walkie-talkie radios, and violated coronavirus restrictions during election campaigning last year.

The court also heard one case against deposed President U Win Myint over the alleged violation of the country's disaster management laws.

The trial will resume Tuesday for Suu Kyi on two other counts, while the most serious charges against her, of corruption and violations of the State Secrets Act have yet to be assigned a trial date.

Analysts have described the court proceedings as a "show trial" and "a political spectacle in order to discredit Aung San Suu Kyi and the democratic opposition."

Representative Images Of The Activities™

A new electronics architecture and on-board software kernel were added to again improve system performance. A locating sonde system was integrated to allow for absolute position-referencing during inspection (coupled with external differential GPS) and emergency-locating. The power system was upgraded to utilize lithium-based battery-cells for an increase in mission-time. The resulting robot-train system with CAD renderings of the individual modules. The system architecture now relies on a dual set of end camera-modules to house the 32-bit processors (Single-Board Computer or SBC) as well as the imaging and wireless (off-board) and CAN-based (on-board) communication hardware and software systems (as well as the sonde-coil and -electronics). The drive-module (2 ea.) are still responsible for bracing (and centering) to drive in push/pull fashion the robot train into and through the pipes and obstacles. The steering modules and their arrangement, still allow the robot to configure itself to perform any-angle (up to 90 deg) turns in any orientation (incl. vertical), and enable the live launching and recovery of the system using custom fittings and a (to be developed) launch-chamber/-tube. The battery modules are used to power the system, by providing power to the robot's bus. The support modules perform the functions of centration for the rest of the train as well as odometry pickups using incremental encoding schemes. The electronics architecture is based on a distributed (8-bit) microprocessor architecture (at least 1 in ea. module) communicating to a (one of two) 32-bit SBC, which manages all video-processing, posture and motion control as well as CAN and wireless communications. The operator controls the entire system from an off-board (laptop) controller, which is in constant wireless communication with the robot train in the pipe. The sensor modules collect data and forward it to the robot operator computer (via the CAN-wireless communications chain), who then transfers it to a dedicated NDE data-storage and post-processing computer for further (real-time or off-line) analysis. The prototype robot system was built and tested indoors and outdoors, outfitted with a Remote-Field Eddy Current (RFEC) sensor integrated as its main NDE sensor modality. An angled launcher, allowing for live launching and retrieval, was also built to suit custom angled launch-fittings from TDW. The prototype vehicle. Launcher systems are shown. The complete system, including the in-pipe robot train, launcher, integrated NDE-sensor and real-time video and control console and NDE-data collection and -processing and real-time display, were demonstrated to all sponsors prior to proceeding into final field-trials--the individual components and setting for said acceptance demonstration are shown. The launcher-tube was also used to verify that the vehicle system is capable of operating in high-pressure environments, and is safely deployable using proper evacuating/purging techniques for operation in the potentially explosive natural gas environment. The ll87 compliance consulting services test-setting and environment for safety-certification of the X-II robot platform and the launch and recovery procedures, is shown. Field-trials were successfully carried out in a live steel pipeline in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The robot was launched and recovered multiple times, travelling thousands of feet and communicating in real time with video and command-and-control (C&C) data under remote operator control from a laptop, with NDE sensor-data streaming to a second computer for storage, display and post-processing. Representative images of the activities. Systems used in the week-long field-trial are shown.

Interior Gas Piping Safety Inspections And Connections • GTI™

Historically, construction and maintenance of interior gas piping systems within New York City has been the responsibility of the building owner using Licensed Master Plumbers. This included gas service line piping from the first fitting inside the building at the point of entry through the outlet of the meter, consistent with NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) gas safety requirements. Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) jurisdictional piping under 49 CFR Part 192 however is defined as all piping through the outlet of the meter, regardless of meter location. Recent changes in NYS Pipeline Safety code have resulted in changes to the definition of a service line to parallel the federal definition. Because of this change, maintenance and construction work performed on interior DOT-jurisdictional service line piping (piping from the point of entry, POE, through the outlet of the meter) must be performed by appropriately trained and qualified personnel under the Operator Qualification Program (OQ). In addition, the change in definition resulted in the need to conduct mandated safety inspections of interior DOT-jurisdictional piping including visual inspection for atmospheric corrosion and leak surveys of visibly accessible piping through the outlet of the meter.

(Click to enlarge) This diagram clearly illustrates how the change in state regulations of the definition of a service line impacts ALL NYS jurisdictional gas piping systems including interior building piping systems in NYC. In order to align with the federal definition of a service line, NYS regulations changed the definition in the state code from the first fitting inside the building wall (the first red line above) to the outlet fitting of the gas meter (second red line) consistent with Federal pipeline safety requirements. All piping up to the outlet fitting of the gas meter, no matter where that meter may be located, falls under the jurisdiction of the federal and state regulations in addition to local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) rules (NYC DOB). This piping includes valves, pipe, fittings, regulators, regulator vent piping, the vent terminus, meter fittings and the meter itself. This piping is referred to as DOT jurisdictional piping. Everything from the inside point of entry (POE) up to the outlet fitting of the gas meter falls under the federal and state definition of a service line and in NYC, MUST meet NYC DOB Requirements as well as requirements of local gas Utility Operators.

Several recent gas related incidents in NYC have resulted from improper connections including theft or diversion of service. Local policy makers sought local regulatory change to enhance gas safety within NYC including mandating periodic interior gas piping inspections from the point of entry (POE) through to the tenant space and accessible end-use equipment essentially covering all piping in commercial buildings, 3 family or greater. These overlapping inspection requirements were analyzed through a collaborative of NYC LMP’s, including the Master Plumbers Council, local gas Utilities (Con Ed & National Grid) and The Northeast Gas Association, under the leadership of The Plumbing Foundation City of New York. The goal was to provide the most effective. Efficient inspection process for building owners that maximizes public safety value. Further compounding the challenge of regulatory change, local gas Utilities were driven to enhance current operating procedures to mandate all connections made to DOT-jurisdictional piping be made by a DOT Operator Qualified person.

The Interior Building Gas Piping Gas Piping Safety Inspections and Connections GTI training program was sponsored by local NYC Utility Operators working with the Northeast Gas Association (NGA), The Plumbing Foundation of New York, The Master Plumbers Council of New York City and the UA Local 1 Trade Education Training Center. The program content was developed by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI)1 . The scope of this program includes training necessary to prepare for LMP’s and their technicians for competency testing and membership in the Operator Qualification Program provided by the Plumbing Foundation of New York. Successful completion of the GTI training program is an integral component. A prerequisite for membership in the Plumbing Foundation OQ Program. The scope of this training includes the following focus areas for interior building gas piping systems:

- Review of regulatory requirements - Characteristics of natural gas - Use of Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI) instruments - Recognizing, assessing and responding to atmospheric corrosion - Conducting mandated leak surveys of visibly accessible piping - Understanding abnormal operating conditions (illegal & substandard piping conditions) - Purging flammable gas from interior piping - Making connections to DOT jurisdictional piping - Inspection documentation and notification requirements - Con Ed & National Grid specific procedures for conducting DOT mandated piping safety inspections

The program is designed with a gas safety focus to enhance existing comprehensive technical training already required of LMP’s and their technicians. As such, participants are expected to have day-to-day technical www.iagenergy.com experience working with gas piping systems, pipe joining, familiar with local, state and federal building codes as applicable to their scope of work. This training IS NOT intended for new technicians with little or no on-the-job experience in maintenance and construction of gas piping systems. The focus of this training is to reinforce fundamental awareness of situations to prevent a gas incident; identify corrective action and preventive maintenance measures and notification requirements. In addition, the training specifically focuses on execution of comprehensive interior gas piping safety inspections necessary to meet both Local Law requirements within NYC and DOT / NYS requirements under the Pipeline Safety Regulations and prepares an individual for Operator Qualification (OQ) testing to enable LMP’s to make connections to DOT jurisdictional piping2.

Two new NGA Operator Qualification Tasks were developed in collaboration with NGA membership and The Plumbing Foundation that enables LMP’s to conduct the abovementioned safety inspections and make connections to DOT jurisdictional piping.

These Tasks include:

- Task 86 - Conducting Interior Jurisdictional Piping Safety Inspections - Task 87 - Conducting Interior Jurisdictional Piping Construction and Maintenance Activities

In summary, LMP’s and their technicians are some of the most highly qualified service providers within the City of New York. This training program coupled with existing programs will significantly enhance awareness around gas pipeline safety. Provide yet another layer of protection in preventing gas related incidents.

NOTE: GTI has authorized the Northeast Gas Association, working with the Master Plumbers Council of The City Of New York and UA Local 1 Trade Education Training Center to provide instructor-led training using the program content. Instructors MUST complete the Train-The-Trainer requirements of the Northeast Gas Association and successfully demonstrate competency by successfully completing NGA Operator Qualification Task 86/87 written and practical exams. The training programs and testing are currently offered in English by authorized instructors.

Representative Images Of The Activities™

A new electronics architecture and on-board software kernel were added to again improve system performance. A locating sonde system was integrated to allow for absolute position-referencing during inspection (coupled with external differential GPS) and emergency-locating. The power system was upgraded to utilize lithium-based battery-cells for an increase in mission-time. The resulting robot-train system with CAD renderings of the individual modules. The system architecture now relies on a dual set of end camera-modules to house the 32-bit processors (Single-Board Computer or SBC) as well as the imaging and wireless (off-board) and CAN-based (on-board) communication hardware and software systems (as well as the sonde-coil and -electronics). The drive-module (2 ea.) are still responsible for bracing (and centering) to drive in push/pull fashion the robot train into and through the pipes and obstacles. The steering modules and their arrangement, still allow the robot to configure itself to perform any-angle (up to 90 deg) turns in any orientation (incl. vertical), and enable the live launching and recovery of the system using custom fittings and a (to be developed) launch-chamber/-tube. The battery modules www.iagenergy.com are used to power the system, by providing power to the robot's bus. The support modules perform the functions of centration for the rest of the train as well as odometry pickups using incremental encoding schemes. The electronics architecture is based on a distributed (8-bit) microprocessor architecture (at least 1 in ea. module) communicating to a (one of two) 32-bit SBC, which manages all video-processing, posture and motion control as well as CAN and wireless communications. The operator controls the entire system from an off-board (laptop) controller, which is in constant wireless communication with the robot train in the pipe. The sensor modules collect data and forward it to the robot operator computer (via the CAN-wireless communications chain), who then transfers it to a dedicated NDE data-storage and post-processing computer for further (real-time or off-line) analysis. The prototype robot system was built and tested indoors and outdoors, outfitted with a Remote-Field Eddy Current (RFEC) sensor integrated as its main NDE sensor modality. An angled launcher, allowing for live launching and retrieval, was also built to suit custom angled launch-fittings from TDW. The prototype vehicle. Launcher systems are shown. The complete system, including the in-pipe robot train, launcher, integrated NDE-sensor and real-time video and control console and NDE-data collection and -processing and real-time display, were demonstrated to all sponsors prior to proceeding into final field-trials--the individual components and setting for said acceptance demonstration are shown. The launcher-tube was also used to verify that the vehicle system is capable of operating in high-pressure environments, and is safely deployable using proper evacuating/purging techniques for operation in the potentially explosive natural gas environment. The test-setting and environment for safety-certification of the X-II robot platform and the launch and recovery procedures, is shown. Field-trials were successfully carried out in a live steel pipeline in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The robot was launched and recovered multiple times, travelling thousands of feet and communicating in real time with video and command-and-control (C&C) data under remote operator control from a laptop, with NDE sensor-data streaming to a second computer for storage, display and post-processing. Representative images of the activities. Systems used in the week-long field-trial are shown.

City Council Extends Local Law 152 Gas Pipe Inspection Deadline™

Local Law 152 requires that all buildings with gas piping, except R-3 occupancy buildings (which are mostly one- and two-family dwellings), have their gas piping system inspected at certain intervals by a licensed master plumber (LMP).

Similar to last year’s extension for the first group of inspections, the City Council recently passed INT 2259-A, extending the deadline for the second group of inspections. These extensions were made to accommodate delays due to the pandemic. Now, instead of a Dec. 31, 2021, deadline, buildings in Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs have until June 30, 2022, to complete their gas piping system filings.

Upcoming Inspection Due Dates

All building gas piping systems must be inspected periodically as per Local Law 152. The only exception is gas piping systems classified in occupancy group R-3. As per the DOB’s building code, occupancy group R-3 applies to buildings or portions of buildings that have two dwelling units or fewer, with fewer than 20 occupants, such as group homes, and one- to two-family dwellings.

Inspections for the gas piping systems are being organized by community district, with the first cycle start date having begun on Jan. 1, 2020. After the initial inspection, inspections must be performed and submitted to the DOB every four years. Energy audit cost for businesses Inspection due dates for buildings depend on the community district in which the building is located and not by borough. You can get information about your community district at https://communityprofiles.planning.nyc.gov/.

There are four groupings of community districts. Here are the date ranges for the upcoming gas piping inspections in this first cycle:

- Community Districts 2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs: Jan. 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022; - Community Districts 4, 6, 8, 9, and 16 in all boroughs: Jan. 1, 2022 - Dec. 31, 2022; - Community Districts 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17 in all boroughs: Jan. 1, 2023 - Dec. 31, 2023.

If your building doesn’t have a gas piping system, you’ll still be required to comply with this law. Owners must submit to the DOB a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/gps2.pdf), signed and sealed by a registered architect or a professional engineer stating that your building contains no gas piping. This inspection certification must be submitted once every four years by the end of the inspection date range for the community district in which the building is located.

Conditions Requiring Corrections

DOB rules require submission of a certification that all conditions identified in the inspection report have been corrected no later than 120 days, or if more time is needed, no later than 180 days following the inspection date. According to the text of the passed bill:

…if the certification form indicates that there are one or more conditions requiring correction, such building owners may submit the certification form to the department later than 120 days following the building’s inspection date or later than 180 days following the building’s inspection date as provided in item 4 of section 28-318.3.3 of the administrative code of the city of New York, but in no event shall the certification form be submitted later than June 30, 2022.

However, this doesn’t impact requirements for reporting and correcting unsafe or hazardous conditions. If an inspection reveals any unsafe or hazardous condition(s), the licensed master plumber must immediately notify the building owner, the utility providing gas service to the building, and the DOB. The building owner must take immediate action to correct the condition(s) in compliance with the NYC Construction Codes and any required permits. The text of the bill states, “ Nothing in this section shall affect the requirements to report and correct unsafe or hazardous conditions revealed by a gas piping system inspection as set forth in section 28-318.3.4 of the administrative code of the city of New York.”

Buildings with No Active Gas Service

INT 2321-A allows owners of buildings with gas piping, but no active gas service, to skip Local Law 152 inspections as long as they provide certification from their utility company and themselves that there’s no active gas service in their building. If they resume gas service they must obtain a certificate of approval of gas installation from the DOB and comply with the gas piping inspection and certification requirements of Local Law 152.

Arkansas Bills That Restrict Voting Access Head To Governor's Desk™

Voting rights activists have said the bills put up additional barriers to the ballot, which will have a disproportionate impact on low-income and disabled voters and voters of color.

"What we're seeing in Arkansas is the most dangerous assault on the right to vote since the Jim Crow era," said Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas. "These bills don't just make it harder to vote, they also make it easier for partisan politicians to interfere with local election administrators -- something that could have disastrous consequences for democracy. These bills will make it harder for all voters -- of all political stripes -- to make their voices heard."

"We urge Governor Hutchinson to listen to the concerns raised by Arkansans across the political spectrum and veto these anti-voter bills," Dickson said.

In Arkansas, there are still additional measures that would restrict ballot access currently moving through both chambers, as well as a handful that would improve voting access.

Republican state Sen. Kim Hammer, one of the primary sponsors of the measures, told CNN on Wednesday that the bills are about "protecting the integrity of the vote" and were not based on former President Donald Trump's loss in November, which sparked baseless claims of voter fraud that led to the January 6 US Capitol insurrection.

"These were taken from real examples that happened here in the state," said Hammer, who pointed to a contested state race in November in which an incumbent Democratic legislator filed suit arguing that errors in the counting of absentee ballots by local officials led to his loss to a freshman Republican lawmaker. Legal challenges to the loss were eventually dismissed.

Hammer said he is expecting Hutchinson to approve the bills, noting that the legislature had worked with local election officials in drafting the measures.

"I can see no reason why the governor wouldn't sign them, given the cooperative effort there was in getting these bills forward," he added.

Bills make changes to absentee and in-person voting process

Senate Bill 486, which opponents have called the "no water bottles for voters" bill, passed out of the Arkansas House Tuesday afternoon on a 74-23 vote. It prohibits any person from being within a 100-foot perimeter of a polling place while voting is taking place, unless they are entering or leaving the building for "lawful purposes," like voting.

Opponents of the food and water ban say there are similarities to a controversial portion of Georgia's new voting law, which makes it a crime for anyone to pass out food and water at the polls within that perimeter. Hammer, the Arkansas bill's sponsor, has said it is about preventing electioneering, which is already prohibited within that 100-foot perimeter.

Additionally, the Arkansas Senate on Tuesday passed House Bill 1715 along party lines. The bill would prohibit clerks from sending unsolicited absentee ballots to voters. It also would require clerks to provide county election commissioners with a daily count of the absentee applications received. HB1715 would require a voter's signatures on an absentee ballot. Application to match their signature from their original registration application. The bill states if a voter's signature on the ballot application is not deemed a match to their registration application signature, then "the county clerk shall not provide an absentee ballot to the voter". Critics note that signatures often change over time, due to age, injury and other factors -- and that requiring an exact match to an original signature could lead to ballots Local Law 87 retro-commissioning being tossed or voters not being able to even receive an absentee ballot.

The House also passed on Tuesday Senate Bill 487, 87-2. The measure would remove county clerks' authority to designate voting centers. Instead give that power to county election commissioners.

This story has been updated to include more details about HB1715 and responses from Gov. Asa Hutchinson's office and from Sen. Kim Hammer.

2022 Guide To Local Law 152 - Empire Plumbing™

As building owners around NYC are returning their full time focus to work. Property management in 2022 it is time to begin thinking about inspection requirements for Local Law 152. 2022 marks the third round of LL 152 inspections, requiring all properties in NYC with natural gas to have their gas piping system inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber every four years based on the schedule outlined by the law.

With the third year of inspections, local property owners are starting to get a better understanding of the requirements of this new rule, although many still have questions. Challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic and some confusion around the implementation of Local Law 152 have also impacted the inspection schedule, resulting in deadline extensions that you need to be aware of.

Our 2022 guide goes in depth on what is expected from New York City properties in regards to local law 152 this year. We will go over what Local Law 152 is, what properties are included in this year's inspection cycle, and what to know if you were impacted by the recent extension to the 2021 inspection deadline. If you need someone to provide an LL 152 gas inspection in 2022, contact the master plumbers at Empire Plumbing at (718)494-7301 or (917)642-3041.

First passed in 2016, Local Law 152 went into effect in 2020. The law was created in response to a series of disasters that occurred due to improperly installed natural gas plumbing. The goal of this rule is to use regular inspections of NYC properties that use natural gas power to identify any potential problems and take immediate action. A Licensed Master Plumber in NYC must complete the LL 152 inspection. Any repairs that are determined to be needed during the inspection. The LMP will also work with the property owner to submit all necessary paperwork to the NYC Department of Housing, certifying that the inspection has been completed, outlining any issues, and detailing what repairs were made. Currently the inspection cycle is once every four years. The schedule is based on community district. We will go into more detail on the breakdown in which districts are included for this upcoming year's deadline.

The important part is to be sure that you have the inspection done in the required year. Failing to comply with Local Law 152 guidelines can result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000 and any issues can involve an interruption to gas service at your residential or commercial property.

2022 Community Districts Due for a Local Law 152 Inspection

Local Law 152 outlines an inspection schedule determined by community district. Each year, specific community districts in every borough of NYC need to complete their inspection. For 2022, the districts included are:

- Community District 4 - Community District 6 - Community District 8 - Community District 9 - Community District 16

If you own property in any of these districts in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Staten Island you will need to make time to schedule an inspection with a Licensed Master Plumber sometime this year.

For building owners who are unsure which district they live in, you can find your specific district on the NYC community district profile website. Simply type in your address and it will tell you your district number within your borough. You can also check out this map of the various community districts.

Other properties that will need to conduct a gas piping system inspection this calendar year include any that will be installing or resuming gas service for the first time, regardless of the scheduled inspection year for your community district.

Community Districts Included in the 2021 Local Law 152 Extension

2022 is also unique for Local Law 152 in that the deadline for the previous year was extended. Due to various challenges with the pandemic in regards to scheduling inspections, the City Council changed the 2021 Local Law 152 deadline to June 30, 2022.

This gives all properties with gas piping system in community districts in which an inspection was required last year an additional six months to complete the inspection and necessary repairs. These community districts are:

- Community District 2 - Community District 5 - Community District 7 - Community District 13 - Community District 18

This extension is likely to be a one time occurrence and buildings in these districts will return to the every four year schedule for all future inspections, meaning the next inspection for these districts will be in 2025. But for this year, the extension provides extra time to complete your requirements and avoid any late penalties. Local Law 152 also outlines which properties are included. Need to have an inspection completed. We have already gone over which districts must have an inspection this year, but not every property in each of these districts is included.

Your building needs an inspection unless it is in the R-3 occupancy group. The R-3 group includes buildings where there are no more than two dwelling units and occupants number under 20, which can apply to group homes, convents, or monasteries. You can find your buildings occupancy classification on your Certificate of Occupancy.

Buildings that are not in the R-3 occupancy group and do not use natural gas also have updated requirements in 2022 because of the law passed by the City Council. Prior to this year, buildings that did not use natural gas but fell within the community districts included for that year's inspection deadline were required to submit paperwork from a Licensed Master Plumber confirming that no gas appliances were in use on the property.

This year and going forward, properties with gas piping but without active gas service can provide certification from the utility company that gas is not being supplied to the building. In order to confirm this, the property owner will need to submit to the Department of Buildings:

- When gas was last supplied. - The date when gas service was no longer provided. - A signed statement from the owner of the building. - A certification from the utility company that the building is no longer connected to the gas main.

Although an inspection is no longer required, this certification is still due by the deadline if your property has unused gas piping within any of the community districts listed for either the 2022 deadline on December 31, 2022 or the 2021 extension on June 30, 2022. You will need to submit this paperwork to avoid the $10,000 fine.

How to Complete Your 2022 LL 152 Inspection

Completing the gas piping system inspection is a relatively easy process for building owners, but you will want to make sure to schedule your inspection early to prevent any stress that can occur at the last minute and leave time for repairs.

You will need to schedule the inspection with a Licensed Master Plumber like Empire Plumbing Inc. We will come to your property at the scheduled time and inspect all gas pipes and connections in public areas. We will examine the space between the gas meter and up to tenant spaces, but per the law, there is no need for us to enter tenant dwellings.

Following inspection and in compliance with LL 152, we will provide you a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report within 30 days, outlining all necessary repairs. We will also provide you with a signed Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification indicating that the inspection was done. You will need to submit this form to the Department of Buildings.

We then work with you to conduct all necessary repairs within 120 or 180 days, depending on our original findings. When these Local Law 87 retro-commissioning are complete, we will give you any additional certifications or reports necessary to confirm that repairs were made.

In extreme cases where we identify a significant hazard such as a leak or an unauthorized connection, we will also have to report our findings to the Department of Buildings and the gas utility. This can result in a temporary shutdown of your National Grid or Consolidated Edison gas service while the issue is resolved. However, this happens in only a very small percentage of our inspections.

At Empire Plumbing, most of the Local Law 152 inspections that we have conducted so far have yielded no or only minor repairs that we can quickly and affordably correct, removing the chance of interruption to your gas service. Our goal is to make it as simple as possible for property owners throughout NYC to comply with this new legislation. Avoid facing any penalties for incomplete inspections or missed deadlines. If you own a building in any of the community districts scheduled for inspection this year or you have additional questions on Local Law 152, call our team at Empire Plumbing for more information on what is required of you in 2022.

Local Law 87 (LL87) Bench Marking Greater Buildings Plan Energy Audit™

Do you know your number? It could be your year of the EER

No matter what industry you are in, there is a push for energy efficiency. It’s no different when it comes to building maintenance, even in a city as old as New York. A few months ago we mentioned how New York City is leading the nation when it comes to energy efficiency. One of the things helping this positive change is the Department of Buildings. The DOB has a long list of Local Laws, and among them is Local Law 87 of 2009 (LL87). So let’s say you’re a building owner. What is Local Law 87. What does it mean to you?

As part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP), LL87 requires large building owners to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) every ten years. Covered buildings, those that are required to comply with LL87, are those over 50,000 square feet, and single lots with two or more buildings larger than 100,000 square feet.

If you own a big building that falls within these categories, you should expect to file an EER once a decade and pay close attention to your tax block number. The year in which you have to comply with LL87 is determined by the last digit of that tax block number. For example, if the number ends in “7” you have until December 31st, 2017 (and once every ten years after that) to file the EER. If that number is “8” then it’s 2018, and so on and so forth.

Okay, so you have until December 31st to file your EER. What exactly is that?

The main components of the EER are the Data Collection Tools, and the Professional Certification forms, EERC1 and EERC2. The former is for the energy audit component, the latter for retro-commissioning. The energy audit is a survey and analysis of energy use in a building to identify ways to reduce energy consumption without compromising normal operations. Retro-commissioning is the process of ensuring that energy systems are correctly installed and functional.

The Professional Certification Forms are signed by the Registered Design Professional (RDP) or Approved Agent who conducts the energy audit and retro-commissioning, as well as by you, building’s owner. The forms require the seal of the RDP and a signed and dated statement from you including basic information and indicating owner type. The accompanying Data Collection Tools for the EER can be done by you without the RDP. With two separate tools for the energy audit and retro-commissioning, they both contain similar fields for information on the building and the team conducting the survey, and more specific fields for each respective survey. Together all these forms complete the EER, which can then be Local Law 87 penalty e-filed with the Department of Buildings. Once the DOB receives the EER, an email will be sent to you with instructions on how to pay the $375 filing fee.

Now, there are exemptions when it comes to LL87. One to three family dwellings that are not condominiums, or are condos of three stories or less do not have to comply. Covered buildings may be exempt from a either the energy audit or retro-commissioning if certain criteria is met. At this point you are probably relieved you only have to do this once every ten years. While it seems like a lot, it isn’t anything S&M Expediting can’t handle. Let’s talk about getting your EER filed or help you take action in any of these following ways.

If you are not exempt from filing an EER and are unable to meet the December 31st deadline, you can file for a deferral or extension. A ten year deferral may be an option for you if the base building systems comply with the NYC Energy Conservation Code, and if the building is less than ten years old or has undergone a substantial rehabilitation in the ten years prior to the year the EER is due. To file for a deferral, you use the EER1 Application and file it with the DOB. If you can’t meet the deadline due to financial hardship of the building or are unable to meet it despite documented efforts, you can file an EER2 by October 1st of the due year, and every October afterward for which an extension is requested. Accompanying the EER2 is a fee of $155 for the extension.

In the event of the DOB requests you to amend a submitted EER, you will have to submit a revised EER, indicating on the EERC1 and EERC2 that the filing is an amendment. You would also be subject to an amendment fee of $145.

Rather than run the risk of needing to pay for an amendment for a misfiled EER, or even worse, face a Class 2 violation and a penalty of $3000 for the first year (or $5000 for subsequent years) for not filing at all, let S&M save you the headache and get it done for you. Reach out to us and have your EER done by expediters who understand the forms and do the hard work for you.

LL152 Plumbers NYC™

Local Law 152 of 2016 - Periodic Inspections of Building Gas Piping FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)Updated January 23, 20201. What is LL152 of 2016? LL152 was passed by the NYC Council in 2016 as part of a gas safety package. LL152 specifically requires that NYC building owners have their building gas piping inspected periodically.2. When does LL152 go into effect? LL152 went into effect January 1, 2019. However, full implementation of the law (i.e. commencement of inspections) could not go into effect without the adoption of rules by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). DOB issued final rules on September 23, 2019. While these rules became effective November 2, 2019, due to the provisions of the rules, no inspections can begin until January 1, 2020.3. Who must comply? Owners of all buildings except those in occupancy group R-3 (2 families or less). The estimated total amount of buildings affected is approximately 198,000 in NYC.4. What must be inspected? LL152 requires all exposed gas piping from point of entry of gas piping into the building, including building services meters, and all gas piping in public spaces, hallways, corridors, and mechanical and boiler rooms, up to individual tenant spaces (this does not include gas piping within apartments).5. When does my building have to be inspected? The rules implementing LL152 breakdown the inspection cycle by community districts within boroughs. See the below chart. DATE RANGE FOR INSPECTIONJanuary 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020 January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022 January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023BUILDINGS IN COMMUNITY DISTRICTS1, 3 and 10 in all boroughs2, 5, 7, 13, and 18 in all boroughs4, 6, 8, 9, and 16 in all boroughs11, 12, 14, 15, and 17 in all boroughs

1 Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.

6. After the initial inspection, when is the next time my building has to be inspected? After the initial inspection of your building, you then must have your building inspected every four years, with the same due date of December 31st of that year.7. When do new buildings have to be inspected? New buildings have to be first inspected the 10th year from the date of the certificate of occupancy. Then subject to the cycle as noted in the above chart. 8. Must tenants be notified when there is an inspection? Because the law explicitly excludes piping within tenants’ spaces and because there has been no requirement issued by DOB to the contrary, there is no need to give prior notice to tenants of the inspection date. However, LMPs will need full access to all public spaces or the inspection can not be completed. 9. What if my building does not have gas piping? Owners of buildings that contain no gas piping must submit to DOB a Gas Piping Inspection Certification (see box 4), signed and sealed by a registered design professional. The Inspection Certification must be submitted every four years. 10. What does the inspection look for? LL152 inspections require the qualified gas piping system inspector (see description below) to look for evidence of excessive atmospheric corrosion or piping deterioration; illegal connections; non-code compliant installations, as well as the following conditions which must be reported to the owner, utility company, and DOB immediately: gas leaks; illegal connections/ non-code compliant installations; and any condition defined as “Class A” by the utility company, which is considered an imminently dangerous condition. Gas piping system inspectors must use a portable combustible gas detection device for inside leakage surveys.11. What type of portable combustible gas detection device is acceptable for LL152 purposes? DOB accepts devices approved by the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) for inside leakage surveys.12. What is the inspection filing process? LL152 inspections must occur within the calendar year denoted on the above chart for those applicable buildings.2Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws. ● Within 30 days of the inspection, the licensed master plumber (LMP) must provide to the building owner a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report (GPS1). ● Within 60 days of the inspection, the owner must submit to DOB a Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification (GPS2) signed and sealed by the LMP who conducted or supervised the inspection.* There is no filing fee.● The DOB’s website to access the forms is here. In addition, here is the link to the submission portal.○ According to DOB, the law and rule state that the owner must submit the GPS2 form that has been completed by the LMP. *Please note that the DOB rules have created confusion on the required filing date (the rules read with the law require filing between October-December only, but that is not the case, the rules are to be revised according to DOB). ● If the Inspection Certification submitted to DOB indicates that conditions requiring correction were identified in the Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Report submitted to the owner, the owner must submit to DOB, within 120 days of the inspection, an Inspection Certification signed and sealed by the LMP who conducted the inspection, stating that the conditions have been corrected. ● If the Inspection Certification submitted to DOB indicated that additional time was needed to correct the condition(s) identified in the Inspection Report, the owner must submit, within 180 days of the inspection, an Inspection Certification signed and sealed by an LMP stating that all conditions have been corrected. ● Correction of conditions identified in the Inspection Report must be performed in compliance with the NYC Construction Codes, including obtaining any required work permits. ● All reports and certifications must be kept on file by the inspection entity and the building owner for 10 years.13. What happens if an unsafe or hazardous condition is observed? If an inspection reveals any unsafe or hazardous condition(s), the LMP must call 911, immediately notify the applicable utility company first as well as the building owner and3Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.

DOB. The building owner must take immediate action to correct the condition(s) in compliance with the New York City Construction Codes and any required permits.14. How should the LMP notify the DOB of the unsafe or hazardous condition?LMPs should immediately report such conditions by calling 311 or by contacting the DOB Plumbing Enforcement Unit during regular business hours at (212) 393-2557.15. What happens if building owners do not comply? Failure to file an Inspection Certification before the applicable due date may result in a civil penalty of $10,000. 16. How long must building owners retain the inspection records? Building owners are required to retain the inspection reports for 10 years. The LMP who conducted the inspection should maintain reports for 10 years as well. 17. Who must conduct the inspections? These inspections must be completed by a qualified gas piping system inspector, which means: ● A licensed master plumber (LMP); or ● An individual working under the direct and continuing supervision of anLMP meeting the following requirements:○ At least 5 years of full-time experience working under the direct andcontinuing supervision of an LMP; and○ Has successfully completed a 7-hour training program acceptableto DOB. 18. As an LMP, how can I obtain qualification for my plumbing technicians?Plumbing technicians need to prove they have 5 years’ of experience working under the direct and continuing supervision of an LMP and must successfully complete a 7-hour training course. A description of the DOB-approved course is available here, which includes a written and practical knowledge check. A list of DOB-approved course providers is here. 19. How does DOB verify the 5 years’ experience requirement? According to DOB, it is the obligation of the employing inspection entity and LMP to ensure that individuals performing these inspections possess the qualifications per the law and rule. DOB has stated that the employing LMP should request whatever documentation is necessary to verify experience. 4 Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.

20. What about the Plumbing Foundation’s Gas Operator Qualification program-does this training program count for LL152 inspections? The Plumbing Foundation’s GOQ program, which was originally created for compliance with state regulations for inspections and maintenance of US DOT jurisdictional gas Local Law 87 penalty piping and in anticipation of similar requirements for LL152, is acceptable for purposes of LL152 inspections through GTI/ Northeast Gas Association, DOB-approved course provider # 6T73. However, GOQ members need to be aware that the DOB also requires qualified gas piping system inspectors to have 5 years’ experience to conduct LL152 inspections.21. How does LL152 tie into the LL150 of 2016 DOB gas qualification requirements? LL152 inspections and qualified gas piping system inspectors are not the same as those seeking DOB gas work qualification and/or limited gas work qualification under LL150 gas qualification. LL150, which goes into effect January 1, 2020, requires those working under LMPs to hold a gas work qualification card or limited gas work qualification card to conduct gas work under the NYC Building Code. Gas work for purposes of LL150 does not include LL152 inspections. If you are seeking LL150 DOB gas qualification, please refer to this DOB service notice.Helpful Resources:Local Law 152 of 2016:https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/local_laws/ll150of2016.pdf Section 103-10 of Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY): https://a856-cityrecord.nyc.gov/RequestDetail/20190916106 NYC Department of Buildings Service Update (November 13, 2019): https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/ll_152of2016_sn.pdf Plumbing Foundation’s Pipecaster Newsletter: https://www.plumbingfoundation.nyc/pipecaster For Forms and Submission Portal:https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/master-plumbers-plumbing-forms.pagehttps://a810-efiling.nyc.gov/eRenewal/gaspipecert.jsp 5 Disclaimer: This document is supplied for informational purposes only for both building owners and licensed master plumbers, but is not intended to constitute legal advice or the viewpoint of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. We advise consultation with an attorney for compliance with LocalLaws.