Multi-family buildings

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Increase the attractiveness of your multi-family building with solutions from Danfoss.

Increase the attractiveness of your multi-family building with solutions from Danfoss...

Danfoss is a leading expert of controls for multifamily buildings that help to optimize HVAC system efficiency, and benefit many types of users.

Achieve a better return on investment while reducing environmental impact, increasing comfort and safety for tenants and residents, and an easy installation process for installers.

unbalanced system

Over 85% of multi-family buildings have inefficient heating systems

Major complaints beside very little heat in a city apartment, is an overheated apartment. New Yorkers’ solution to overheated apartments for years has been to open up their windows, to release some of the heat trapped in their apartments. Many of these buildings are overheated simply because they have a hard time ensuring that every apartment is heated. So some apartments in the same building might be overheating while other apartments might just have enough heat to comply with local codes and laws.

There are solutions for these old apartment buildings that have problems with overheating by their water or steam radiators. The EPA, EEFA, and other environmental agencies recommend installation of thermostatic radiator valves or TRVs on every radiator in the building. Most TRVs do not require electricity, are easy to install by almost any handy person, and are very economical. TRVs have a built-in sensor that opens and closes the radiator according to the temperature in the room, providing an individualized comfort control to any room.

EEFA Report

Upgrading NYC steam systems for the 21st century

Data extracted from the Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) Report: Clanging Pipes and Open Windows: Upgrading NYC Steam Systems for the 21st Century

multifamily housing is the largest building sector in New York city. 76% of those buildings are heated with steam. EEFA report mentions savings recommendations that include potential savings of $147 million and 312,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

Optimize cost, comfort, and carbon performance

EEFA Report Recommends the Following:

Install multi-sensor thermostatic heat controls
Install multi-sensor thermostatic heat controls

Traditional steam heat controls do not monitor apartment temperature. Rather, they respond to external temperatures -- the colder it gets outside, the longer the boiler runs, resulting in overheating and uncomfortable residents. The solution? Replace with smart, multi-sensor heat controls that monitor inside temperatures like Danfoss Thermostatic Radiator Valves.

  • Reduce high energy bills
  • Control tenant comfort levels
  • Save money
  • Happy tenants, less complaints
  • Less maintenance
Install orifice plates on all radiators
Install orifice plates on all radiators

Almost all two-pipe steam systems use radiator traps that typically fail after a few years, resulting in underheating in some apartments and overheating everywhere else. The report recommends equipping each radiator with an orifice plate; a small metal plate about the size and shape of a bottle cap. These plates obviate the need for most radiator steam traps, never wear out, and help balance the steam system throughout the building.
• Eliminate costly radiator traps
• Durable design - install & forget
• Helps balance system

Leverage energy efficiency programs
Leverage energy efficiency programs

Government incentive programs for multifamily buildings offer an additional return on investment for system efficiency upgrades, lower utility costs, create happier tenants, and increase occupancy rates. Some current programs include:
• Con-Edison Rebates: Up to 4 thermostatic radiator valves per unit free. 
• National Grid Rebate: $50 rebate per thermostatic radiator valve installed.

Learn more about local utility programs below.

Solutions

Danfoss solutions help dial down energy costs by 20%

Danfoss solutions help dial down energy costs by 20%

Danfoss RA2000 thermostatic radiator valves or TRVs, are simple and effective solutions available in a wide variety of inlet supply patterns, connections, & sizes to fit various installation needs. The operator & valve are selected separately to tailor to individual applications. Whether you're looking for a tamper-proof option, installing on a radiator versus a convector, a Danfoss representative can help assist with selecting the correct option for your building. Contact your local rep for assistance.

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Highlighted products

User benefits

For owners

For owners

  • Increased building efficiency and energy savings
  • Reduced annual heating service and maintenance costs
  • Happy and comfortable tenants
  • High quality, durable products that will pay for themselves
  • Tamper proof options
  • Options for various budgets
  • Utility rebate & incentive program access
  • Reliable and silent heating technology that's easy to install & operate
  • Friendly and knowledgeable support staff
For residents and tenants

For residents and tenants

  • Individual room control - get the temperature you set
  • 'Set and forget' heating controls
  • No noisy heating system
  • Modern heating technology that increases overall building efficiency, using less energy, and is better for the environment
  • Affordable rent and utilities with no surprises
For installers

For installers

  • Quick mounting, simple to install products
  • Reliable solutions for your business
  • Strength & durability - deep fitted, secure design with precise calibration
  • Versatility - valves for both steam and hot water applications
  • Easy to download installation instructions
  • Friendly and knowledgeable support staff
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Videos

Discover how Danfoss TRVs increase efficiency in New York city building

Jack Day, superintendent at The Cloister Building explains how simple upgrades such as replacing steam traps, and installing thermostatic valves on radiators have improved his hydronic system.

Multi-family building in New York lowers costs with energy efficient design utilizing TRVs

803 Knickerbocker in Brooklyn, New York applies Passive House design to multi-family cooperative building. The ultra low energy design incorporates Danfoss TRVs and has helped to reduce the buildings ecological footprint.

Case studies

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    Engineering Tomorrow lowers apartments’ heating cost to less than $50 annually

    In recent years, average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood has skyrocketed to more than $3,000 a month, excluding utilities. That’s why New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council (RBSCC) came together to develop Knickerbocker Commons.

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    Engineering Tomorrow Provides Year-Round Comfort for Offices in New York City

    The Interchurch Center, located in New York City’s Upper West Side, serves as headquarters for a number of nonprofit organizations.

    “Between the induction units and the windows, my water temperature was reduced by 10 degrees in the heating season. That’s a significant change, and definitely one that is saving us money.”

    Discover how the Danfoss hydronic heating solution provided a comfortable, efficient & affordable induction system upgrade.

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    NYC Apartment building solves overheating issue with thermostatic radiator valves

    The city of New York, undertakes an impressive effort to prepare the city for one million more residents, strengthen its economy, combat climate change and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers. 

    Results of study show potential annual energy savings of ~$100 million if TRVs were installed in every NYC multifamily building.

Learn more

Local Utility Programs
Local Utility Programs

Did you know most gas utilities help to maximize savings by offering either incentives and/or rebates to install TRVs, depending upon your system?

See links below on current programs that can help save extra money on your building efficiency upgrades.

Upgrading NYC steam systems for the 21st century
Upgrading NYC steam systems for the 21st century

Report by Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) explains the importance of upgrades & potential multifamily building savings of $147 million dollars in fuel/maintenance costs. It also includes recommendations on optimizing cost, comfort, and carbon performance with solutions offered by Danfoss.

View the EEFA steam efficiency infographic
View the EEFA steam efficiency infographic

Danfoss has visually highlighted some key data from the report on steam systems in New York city, energy savings potential, and CO2 emissions that could be saved per year with small optimizations outlined in the article, and summarized in this flyer.

News

Or find a local rep to help assist with a Danfoss solution today...