Resource Library
Our comprehensive resource library offers building professionals guidance and insights from project teams and experts to inform the development of effective decarbonization roadmaps for their properties. This living platform hosts a growing collection of invaluable resources, including case studies, technical guides, best practices, and educational materials, all geared towards promoting the adoption and success of low-carbon retrofits, and a more sustainable future in building design and operation.
We recently launched our Planning Guides, designed to guide Playbook users through each step of their SDP journey. view planning guide
The Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings
Learn about the Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings.
Energy Recovery Mapping Tool
Recovering waste heat in buildings is a key strategy for improving energy efficiency and reducing remissions. Many building systems, such as cooling equipment, wastewater, and ventilation reject heat that has the potential to be captured…
Energy Sources and Sinks Inventory Tool
Waste heat isn’t waste—it’s an untapped resource. Recovering energy that would otherwise be rejected from a building can both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the economics of decarbonization projects. This applies across a range…
BEST Directory: IBPSA-USA Building Energy Software Tools Directory
The BEST (Building Energy Simulation Tools) Directory from IBPSA-USA catalogs energy-modeling and simulation software. Tools in the database can support Playbook best practices such as evaluating interactive effects, assessing time-of-day impacts, and accurately sizing equipment….
865 East 167th St
Pre-war multifamily building electrifying with wastewater heat recovery
George T. Douris Tower
Energy recovery transforms senior affordable housing
Mt. Pleasant
Multifamily affordable building electrifies with ground-source heat pumps
James Geddes Development
Innovative Hydronic Shell overclad to transform Syracuse Housing Authority high-rise
Melrose & Noll St. Apartments
Thermal network to support decarbonization of affordable housing
High Temperature Heat Pump 101 Guide
An introductory guide for building owners and managers on using high temperature heat pumps to decarbonize space heating in buildings with steam and high temperature hot water distribution
Strategic Decarbonization Planning Training Series
Training series explaining the innovative SDP framework driving the Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings.
High Rise | Low Carbon Multifamily
A global survey of 14 high-rise multifamily retrofit profiles that achieved deep energy reductions.
Retrofit Playbook Event Series: New Decarbonization Tools from ASHRAE, USGBC, and The Retrofit Playbook
Webinar discussing new tools from ASHRAE, USGBC and the Playbook for decarbonization planning
Large Building Decarbonization Price Index
A resource dedicated to assisting designers and building industry professionals to track pricing and lead times for equipment essential to implementing building decarbonization projects.
The Role of Design Charrettes in Building Decarbonization Planning
A detailed overview of design charrette workshops and how they can be used to enhance decarbonization plans.
Empire Building Challenge Overview
Learn about NYSERDA's Empire Building Challenge through their website and resources.
Building Discovery
A guide for assessing building conditions to identify energy efficiency opportunities.
The Heritage
Federal Incentives for Decarbonizing Large Buildings
An overview of benefits and eligibility for federal incentives for large buildings.
High Rise / Low Carbon Event Series: Nimble Brains for Complex Systems
Webinar discussing the shift to integrated digital and natural energy systems in buildings for effective decarbonization.
Decarbonization Roadmap for Multifamily Affordable Housing
This best practice manual is designed for multifamily affordable housing deep retrofits.
About Resource Efficient Decarbonization
Provides a detailed overview of the Resource Efficient Decarbonization framework with example building system typologies.
Breaking Down the Inflation Reduction Act
A list of all of the IRA, the BIL, and related federal policies and incentives.
Energy & Carbon Modeling Guide
A process guide for developing an energy model to support building decarbonization planning.
Financing Decarbonization Retrofits
This page explores financing options for decarbonization projects.
Resource Efficient Decarbonization Guide
A guide outlining the resource-efficient methods for reducing emissions in tall buildings located in cold climates.
ULI Federal Funding Opportunities
A resource hub for the real estate industry to leverage federal infrastructure funds.
High Rise / Low Carbon Event Series: Take the Heat!
Webinar featuring projects deploying breakthrough heating & cooling recovery solutions across the commercial and multifamily buildings sector.
Terminology & Definitions
A comprehensive glossary related to building decarbonization.
High Rise / Low Carbon Event Series: Keep the Outside Out
Webinar on high-performance envelope retrofits for maintaining quality indoor environments and reducing heating/cooling demand.
The Towers
High Rise / Low Carbon Event Series: Advanced Ventilation Goes Mainstream
Webinar on modern ventilation systems and their role in building electrification.
A Rational Approach to Large Building Decarbonization
NESEA explores the power of incremental steps, integrated design, and strategic planning in building decarbonization.
Roadmap of Building Provisions in IRA
USGBC's presentation of details for IRA incentives.
Technical Barriers to Decarbonization
Discover technical questions and barriers encountered by building owners and developers during decarbonization projects.
Seven Misconceptions About Decarbonization
NYSERDA debunks common decarbonization myths and offers solutions.
RMI’s Guide to Federal Clean Energy Incentives
A sspreadsheet of IRA funding programs published by the White House.
Empire Technology Prize
This technology competition for solution providers seeks innovative heating solutions to reduce greenhouse gases in NYC's tall buildings.
High Rise / Low Carbon Event Series: Financing Deep Retrofits
Webinar on long-term planning/financing for deep retrofits.
Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Investments in Clean Energy and Climate Action
A high-level overview of the Inflation Reduction Act’s programs, eligibility, and funding purposes.
10 Principles for Climate Mitigation Policies
Report for cities on engaging real estate in driving climate mitigation policies.
Intervention Points and Best Practices
A ranked list of short-, medium-, and long-term decarbonization interventions according to industry best practices.
Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
A high-level summary of available funding under the BIL.
Whitney Young Manor
Occupiers and Owners: Faster and Further on the Pathway to Decarbonisation Together
A ULI report justifying the need for collaboration between property owners and occupiers to prevent increased emissions.
Urban Green Council’s Grid Ready Report
A study on the impact of heat pump conversion on NYC’s electricity grid needs.
Kicking Off Decarbonization Projects
A how-to guide for starting your decarbonization project successfully.
Clean Energy Tax Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act
A table with key tax provisions for building decarbonization.
High Rise / Low Carbon Event Series: Sharing Heat
Webinar on hydronic systems, thermal networks, and waste heat recovery, supporting the Empire Building Challenge.
Economic & Financial Analysis Guide
A holistic tool for evaluating CO2 reduction techniques from a techno-economic perspective.
Training & Educational Resources for Building Stakeholders
A collection of educational opportunities for stakeholders interested in high-performance buildings.
Better Buildings Funding and Incentives Resource Hub
This tool helps building owners find rebates, funding opportunities, and other incentives.
Thermal Energy Networks for Decarbonization Webinar
Webinar reviewing new design strategies for low carbon retrofit technologies, with a focus on thermal energy networks.
Advanced Building Construction Collaborative Case Studies
Comprehensive cold-climate, multifamily case studies in Boston, MA.
Empire Technology Prize Market Insight Report
This report highlights technical challenges and market opportunities of heating system decarbonization.
Net Zero Energy Leasing
RMI’s guidelines on green leasing for enhancing sustainability in commercial leases.
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
A comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency at the federal, state, local, and utility levels.
That’s everything we have so far, new resources are added to the library regularly.
