Description 

• As NYCHA makes efforts to modernize its portfolio and comply with local decarbonization laws, LL97, it is important to avoid in-kind boiler replacements wherever possible.  In-kind replacement of steam boilers is costly to implement and maintain, results in no efficiency improvements, and commits the building to another 30+ years of fossil fuel dependency.  
• Projects in this scope area may include  conversion to high-efficient electric heat pumps for space heat and hot water; decoupling of DHW with hot water makers at each building; refurbishment of boilers and distribution systems including replacement of ancillary equipment such as feedwater pump systems, vacuum condensate pumps, hydronic pumps, steam/condensate lines (including underground lines), hydronic hot water lines (including underground lines), chimneys/vents/breeching, controls and associated boiler/heating accessories; and in-kind boiler replacements.  
• The full, detailed scope of work for this project including any additional work areas will be updated here after alignment with project stakeholders through scoping and design activities. 

Baseline

• Sites where capital heating work is planned should first evaluate the feasibility of converting to electric heating systems utilizing high-efficient cold climate rated heat pumps. Detailed surveys of the existing electrical infrastructure, including main service, basement distribution panels, riser capacity, and apartment panels should be performed.  Based on these surveys, calculations should be done per NEC to determine the ability of the existing infrastructure to support apartment space heat electrification as well as building DHW electrification.  A cost estimate and budget should be prepared to evaluate the scope and cost of any required electric upgrades. 
• Where full electrification is deemed to be infeasible based on the costs determined above and the available budget, electrification of the DHW system should assume priority and repair and restoration of the existing space heating system should be pursued.  
• Properly maintained steel boilers can last for over 50 years, particularly given that steel is infinitely repairable through welding. Any heating work scope that does not include electrification of space heat should focus on distribution and ancillary equipment repair/replacement.  The goal of such projects is to: 
  • Reduce/eliminate fresh make-up water to the system by ensuring maximum condensate return to the boilers 
  • Balance distribution 
  • Reduce overheating
•  At a minimum, heating scopes that maintain existing steam heat, with or without new boilers, should include: 
  • Basement F&T trap replacement with new float-only traps and vents for end of mains and drips 
  • Apartment radiator orifice plate conversion  
  • Replacement of all vacuum and condensate pumps with new high temp pumps  
  • Repair of all steam and condensate pipe leaks  
  • Repair or replace all condensate feedwater systems and ensure make-up water meter is working properly  
  • Install automatic chemical treatment system  
  • Dedicated deaerator unit on feedwater line 
  • Install new boiler controls with apartment temperature sensor feedback (BMS) 
• Prior to implementing an in-kind boiler replacement, a boiler condition study should be conducted which includes: 
  • A review and analysis of the past 5 years of boiler maintenance work including all welding repairs  
  • A review and analysis of the past 5 years of unplanned heating outages identifying root causes of each outage 
  • Shell thickness testing of the boiler shell, tube sheets, and blast tube (for boilers over 35 years old) 
• Only boilers showing an average of 45% loss of shell material thickness based on eddy current testing, or extensive welding repairs and outages directly related to the boiler shell integrity should be considered for boiler replacement. 
• New heating equipment and systems installed on NYCHA properties shall conform with the following guidelines: 
  • Heating load calculation shall comply with the following requirements: 
    • Calculations shall conform with Section C403.1.1 of the 2020 NYCECC. 
    • Weather data (ambient conditions) incorporated into calculation shall utilize weather stations referenced in 2021 ASHRAE Handbook – Fundamentals. Approved weather stations are the following: 
      • NYC Central Park (WMO# 725053) 
      • LaGuardia Airport (WMO# 725030) 
      • JFK Airport (WMO# 744860)  
    • Indoor Design Temperature: Refer to 2022 NYC Building Code Table 1204.1 (Habitable rooms in all buildings) for winter indoor dry bulb temperatures. 
    • Steam boilers shall be sized based on the existing connected equivalent direct radiation (EDR) including all steam supply piping.  
    • Boiler Plant Load calculations shall be submitted (for review and approval) by the end schematic design phase or earlier. Boiler selection shall only occur after heating load calculation approval.  
    • Boiler Plant Breeching draft calculations shall be submitted (for review and approval) by the end schematic design phase or earlier. 
    • Underground Steam pipe sizing shall be submitted (for review and approval) by the end schematic design phase or earlier. 
    • Boiler Feedwater Tank and Pump sizing calculations shall be submitted (for record) by the end of schematic design phase or earlier. 
    • Domestic hot water systems shall be sized based measured load.
  • Steam and condensate distribution design shall conform with 2021 ASHRAE Handbook – Fundamentals Chapter 22 (Pipe Design) and 2022 NYC Mechanical Code Chapter 12 (Hydronic Piping). 
  • Operating pressures for steam systems shall not exceed 10 PSI. 
  • Hydronic hot water distribution design shall conform with 2021 ASHRAE Handbook – Fundamentals Chapter 22 (Pipe Design) and 2022 NYC Mechanical Code Chapter 12 (Hydronic Piping). 

Stretch

• Install air-to-water, or ground source heat pump hot water heaters at each building using existing piping networks. [COMPMOD] 

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

CompModRAD

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 7:45 am

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Specifications

23 25 19 - Water Treatment for Steam System Feed Water

23 34 16 - Boiler Room Combustion Air Makeup And Ventilation System

23 52 39 - Firetube Boilers

23 53 13 - Boiler Feedwater Pumps

CPDDESIGN2015004 - Boiler Replacement_Existing Oil Tanks_151026

CPDDESIGN2015006 - Boiler Replacement_Chimney Testing

Baseline

• All new boilers must be specified with outdoor temperature setback control, hot-water temperature reset controls, modulating burner, boiler turndown and entering water temperature as prescribed by Code.

Stretch

• As per NYCHA’s electrification goals, prioritize electric-fed boilers over gas-fired.
• Install gas-fired condensing domestic hot water boilers at each building using existing piping networks. [COMPMOD]
• Install gas-fired condensing domestic hot water boilers at each building using existing piping networks. [COMPMOD]

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

CompModRAD

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 7:46 am

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Specifications

23 25 19 - Water Treatment for Steam System Feed Water

23 34 16 - Boiler Room Combustion Air Makeup And Ventilation System

23 52 39 - Firetube Boilers

23 53 13 - Boiler Feedwater Pumps

CPDDESIGN2015004 - Boiler Replacement_Existing Oil Tanks_151026

CPDDESIGN2015006 - Boiler Replacement_Chimney Testing

Description

• Radiators and convectors are room-heating devices that emit heat from pipes through which steam or circulating hot water including traps that allow for the passage of condensate and the collection of undesirable material.
• Work scopes in this area may include installing new hydronic and/or steam radiators, condensate traps, and supply line connections; and installing new sealing, plasterwork/drywall, and flooring.

Baseline

• Updates to existing hydronic heating systems should include:
  • Low water content boiler with sealed combustion intake and flue.
  • VFDs on heating and hot water (HHW) pumps.
  • Hydraulic coupler on HHW pipe system.
  • Indirect-fired DHW with storage.
  • Outdoor reset boiler control.
  • Fuel oil tanks.
• Hot water boilers that supply heat to the building through one- or two-pipe heating systems must have controls as mandated by regulating Codes. [COMPMOD]

Stretch

• Replace steam radiators with high-efficiency hot water convectors. [SA]
• Convert to a hydronic heating system if the building is optimally located near high-pressure gas lines. [SA]
• Replace existing central boiler systems with Far Infrared Heating (FIR) panels and electric baseboard heaters. [SA]

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

CompModSustainability AgendaCommunity CentersCommercial Kitchens

Last Updated on June 4, 2025 at 10:26 am

Description

• Work scopes in this area may include: installing new central heating plants, ground or air source heat pumps, or high-efficiency gas boilers; decoupling of space and water heating systems; installing circulating, condensing, and other pumps, or fan coils for heat exchange; replacing distribution piping, valves, and traps; and replacing and/or removing apartment radiators.

Baseline

• Hot water boilers that supply heat to the building through one- or two-pipe heating systems must have controls as mandated by regulating Codes. [COMPMOD]

Stretch

• Install new high-efficiency gas-fired condensing boilers. [COMPMOD]
  • Provide a preliminary cost estimate for hydronic conversion for steam systems where applicable.
  • Provide a preliminary cost estimate for decentralizing where applicable.
  • For sites that have recent or ongoing boiler replacement work, as identified in each development’s Modernization Report, teams can additionally price a scenario assuming retaining these existing boilers and give an estimate for remaining repairs-in-kind to other components of the existing heating system (assuming items and quantities identified in the PNA). If this option is pursued, teams should identify a path to electrification including a timeline. Highlight in your narrative response all costs associated with repairs-in-kind as well as costs associated with electrification-ready infrastructure anticipating future electrification. Include Remaining Useful Life estimates for all items to be repaired in kind.
• Assume one programmable thermostat in each unit. [COMPMOD]

Strategies

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CompMod

Last Updated on May 30, 2025 at 12:22 pm

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23 34 16 - Boiler Room Combustion Air Makeup and Ventilation System

Description

• Work scopes in this area may include: installing new central heating plants, ground or air source heat pumps, or high-efficiency gas boilers; decoupling of space and water heating systems; installing circulating, condensing, and other pumps, or fan coils for heat exchange; replacing distribution piping, valves, and traps; and replacing and/or removing apartment radiators.

Baseline

• New heating and cooling equipment must be sized using ACCA Manuals J and S or ASHRAE handbooks.
• Locate heat and DHW equipment above flood elevation.
• The drawings must include a statement indicating the total heating and cooling design loads have been determined as such. [COMPMOD]
• in a residential job application must be sized per ACCA Manual D. [COMPMOD]
• New or replacement heating and cooling equipment must meet or exceed the minimum efficiency rating required by Federal law. [COMPMOD]
• The equipment schedule on construction drawings must clearly list the equipment efficiency or performance rating along with the type, size, capacity, and fuel type of all equipment and any additional specifications pertaining to the energy use of the equipment. [COMPMOD]
• Systems serving multiple dwelling units must comply with the Commercial Buildings sections of the ECC in lieu of the Residential sections. [COMPMOD]
• Provide programmable thermostats should be provided to every residential unit. [COMPMOD]
• Duct systems in alterations must satisfy the minimum R-values in the residential section of the NYCECC code, depending on the location of the ducts. [COMPMOD]
• A narrative must be provided of each mandatory control system describing its function and operation and specifying proper setpoints of equipment and controls. [COMPMOD]

Stretch

• Decouple heating and domestic hot water systems. [SA]
• Protect mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure by building raised annex or creating protected zones within buildings by construction flood doors and barriers around mechanical rooms or elevating equipment above the design flood elevation. [FR]

Strategies

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CompModRADSustainability AgendaFlood Resilience

Last Updated on June 11, 2025 at 2:17 pm

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Specifications

23 05 00 - Common Work Results for HVAC

23 05 23 - General Duty Valves for HVAC Piping

23 05 29 - Hangars for HVAC Piping Equipment

23 05 53 - Identification for HVAC Piping and Equipment

23 05 93 - Testing, Adjusting and Balancing for HVAC

23 07 00 - HVAC Insulation

23 09 13 - Instrumentation and Control for HVAC

23 31 13 - Metal Ducts

23 37 23 - Roof Accessories

Details

S-DT_S-101_CONCRETE PAD DETAILS AND NOTES_NEW HVAC

Description

• Projects in this scope area may include installing new central heating plants, ground or air source heat pumps, or high-efficiency gas boilers; decoupling of space and water heating systems; installing circulating, condensing, and other pumps, or fan coils for heat exchange; replacing distribution piping, valves, and traps; and replacing and/or removing apartment radiators.

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Prioritize Sustainable Materials, Technologies & Practices

Last Updated on June 5, 2024 at 10:01 am

Description

• A typical NYCHA development employs a large central steam plant to provide space heat and domestic hot water. These systems are inefficient and are difficult to control.
• Building Steam Piping & Steam Fan Coil Unit
  • Work scopes in this area may include installing new insulated steam piping and condensate return systems inside buildings, including new fan coils for heat exchange and piping for fan coils, communication lines, electrical conduits, and valves.
• Underground Steam Piping & Condensate Return Piping
  • Work scopes in this area may include installing new insulated underground steam and condensate piping, communication lines, electrical conduits, and valves.

Baseline

• Building Steam Piping
  • Hot water boilers that supply heat to the building through one- or two-pipe heating systems must have controls as mandated by regulating Codes. [COMPMOD]
  • For heating/cooling systems pipes carrying fluids, drawings must specify the pipe insulation thickness per applicable Code tables. Piping insulation R-values must conform to Code prescriptions. [COMPMOD]

Stretch

• Building Steam Piping
  • Consider using existing steam risers for condensate drains.               Convert central steam system to distributed condensing boilers and hydronic convectors.Convert steam-to-DHW systems in each building to a gas-fired condensing boiler and storage tank.Submeter make-up water usage and connect to BMS to monitor both boiler make-up water, condensate tanks, and pumps to identify leaks and quickly repair them. [SA]Recycle steam condensate in heating systems. [SA]
  • Convert hydronic loop heating and window Acs to VRF heat pumps. [SA]
• Underground Steam Piping & Condensate Return Piping
  • When abandoning existing piping at each building will be cut back and capped before the buildings. New piping installation shall be done before the existing steam system is disconnected and capped at each building.
  • Use existing penetrations and enlarge as required to accommodate new piping and anchoring system.
  • Related work for new underground piping includes landscape repair, asbestos abatement, soil sampling and testing in connection with subgrade and backfill earthwork, site protection work, surface repair, and road repair.
  • Route all new piping shall avoid critical tree root zones and avoid or minimize potential conflicts with existing buried utilities.

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

CompModRADSustainability Agenda

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 7:47 am

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Specifications

23 09 24 - Steam Flow Meters

23 22 13 - Steam and Condensate Heating Piping

23 53 12 - Vacuum Condensate Pumps

23 82 39.16 - Propeller Unit Heaters