Think Electrifying Your Co-op Is Easy? Think Again.
Have you ever started one project—just one—and suddenly found yourself juggling three?
That’s exactly what happened with one Upper West Side co-op that set out to electrify their building. The board wanted to comply with Local Law 97, reduce carbon emissions, and future-proof their property.
They were proactive and well-prepared. They’d already met with NYC Accelerator, hired an energy consultant, and had detailed reports outlining potential improvements.
Then came the question every board eventually faces: “Now what?”
When Electrification Plans Meet Real-World Conditions
Many NYC co-op and condo boards assume that once an energy consultant completes their audit, the path forward will be clear. In reality, those reports often list dozens of potential improvements—without clear prioritization, cost-benefit analysis, or guidance on sequencing.
That’s where most projects take their first unexpected turn.
The Domino Effect: Electrify → Load Letter → Storm Drain → Structural Engineer
It started simply enough: Con Edison issued a load letter confirming the building didn’t have enough electrical capacity to fully electrify. But they did have sufficient capacity to install a domestic hot water heat pump—a great first step toward decarbonization.
When Con Ed planned to bring in additional electric capacity, they proposed running temporary lines through an existing storm drain leading into the building’s vault.
That’s when alarms went off.
A closer look revealed that the storm drain was completely corroded shut—not a drop of water had passed through in years. That discovery led to another: the vault beneath the sidewalk wasn’t structurally sound enough for new equipment.
Suddenly, what began as a clean, green electrification initiative had snowballed into a multi-system infrastructure project.
Why Thorough Planning Saves Time, Money, and Stress
The original budget for this project was roughly $2 million. But as with many older NYC buildings, once you open things up, you find decades of deferred maintenance hiding below the surface.
If your building is 50+ years old, it’s wise to expect major projects to take twice as long and cost twice as much as early estimates suggest.
The key to avoiding chaos is investing time in planning before work begins. A strong planning phase helps your board:
Identify all systems that may be affected (not just mechanical or HVAC).
Understand how one project can trigger another (like electrification impacting storm drainage or structural systems).
Bring in the right professionals—engineers, electricians, and structural experts—early on, and don’t forget an experienced project manager to coordinate seamlessly!
The better your planning, the fewer surprises you’ll face once the work starts.
What Your Building Staff Knows (That You Might Not)
One of the most valuable insights in this case came from the building’s own staff.
When asked about the storm drain, the superintendent casually mentioned, “Oh, that’s never worked.”
Every time it rained, the staff would go outside and sweep away the water—because that’s just how it had always been done.
It’s a perfect reminder that curiosity and communication matter. Your building staff often holds the key to hidden issues, but if no one asks, those problems can stay buried for years.
Treat Your Building Like a Business
The most successful boards think of themselves as business operators—tracking information, coordinating professionals, and staying proactive instead of reactive.
That means:
Keeping every professional aligned.
Ensuring the property manager stays informed (without getting buried in details).
Maintaining a database of your building’s systems—installation dates, serial numbers, warranties, and expected life spans.
Knowledge equals control. When you manage your building like a business, projects become predictable, efficient, and cost-effective.
The Missing Pieces in Your Reserve Study
Most reserve studies cover the obvious systems: roofs, facades, mechanical equipment, and fire escapes. But rarely do they include:
Storm drains
Vaults and entry slabs
Planters (which often cause leaks)
Sub-slab drainage or structural elements
Risers
These “invisible” systems can become costly surprises during electrification or infrastructure work. Adding them to your reserve study gives your board a more complete picture—and helps you avoid emergency repairs later.
The Big Picture: Electrifying the Right Way
For this Upper West Side co-op, one project turned into three—but each step made the building stronger.
They’re now on track to:
Electrify their domestic hot water system,
Install individual through-wall heat pumps for individual heating and cooling, and
Reinforce critical structural and electrical systems.
It’s a multi-year journey, but one that’s setting them up for decades of safer, cleaner, and more efficient operation.
Final Takeaway for NYC Co-op and Condo Boards
Old buildings always hold surprises—but those surprises don’t have to derail your goals or your budget.
Before your next major project—whether it’s one of the myriad Local Law compliances, electrification, or a capital improvement—take a full inventory of your building’s infrastructure and involve the appropriate experts early on.
That’s how you avoid the snowball effect—and keep your board in control.
Want help with your next project?
🎧 Check out Tina Larsson’s conversation with Habitat Magazine on the Problem Solved! podcast, where they dove into this story, what went wrong, and how boards can plan smarter before starting your next big project.