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NYC Energy Conservation Specialist Exam COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
NYC Energy Conservation Specialist Exam (likely in reference to the NYC DOB Energy Auditor
certification required under Local Law 87 of 2009 (LL87) ), as well as other relevant green building laws
in NYC.
Summarized Exam Topic Coverage
• Code Hierarchy & Legal Basis (LL87, LL88, LL97, NYCECC) – NYC Energy Conservation Code
(NYCECC) is more stringent than NYS code; LL87 mandates Energy Audits and Retro-
commissioning; LL88 mandates Lighting Upgrades and Submeters; LL97 caps building emissions.
• Building Coverage & Compliance Triggers – LL87 applies to buildings >50,000 sq. ft.; LL88
applies to buildings >25,000 sq. ft.; Reporting deadlines tied to tax block digits; Filing extensions
for substantial rehabilitation; Deferral requirements (must meet current NYCECC).
• Energy Auditing (ASHRAE Level II) – Site surveys, utility analysis, identifying ECMs,
benchmarking, investment-grade audit components.
• Retro-commissioning (RCx) – Functional testing of HVAC/BAS, confirming installation meets
design intent, O&M manual review, ongoing commissioning.
• Lighting Systems (LL88) – Luminaire replacement; Lighting Power Density (LPD); Lighting
controls (occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting); Submeter installation for tenants >5,000 sq.
ft.
• Building Envelope & HVAC – Continuous insulation, air barriers, economizers, fan power
limitations, duct leakage testing, fenestration U-factors.
• Benchmarking & Energy Star Portfolio Manager – EUI metrics, data verification, compliance
deadlines, emissions intensity.
• Financial & Reporting Requirements – Energy Efficiency Reports (EER); Fines for non-
compliance (up to $1,500 annually for LL88; penalties escalating under LL97); Filing fees.
1. An Energy Auditor is hired to evaluate a 60,000 sq. ft. commercial office building built in 1985.
What is the primary mandatory requirement for this building under NYC Local Law 87 (LL87)?
A. Annual boiler tune-ups
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B. Energy audit and retro-commissioning every 10 years
C. Installation of solar panels
D. Immediate replacement of all single-pane windows
Answer: B
Rationale: LL87 requires buildings >50,000 sq. ft. to undergo an energy audit and retro-commissioning
(RCx) once every ten years .
2. The NYC Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) is based on State standards but must be:
A. Exactly the same as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
B. Less stringent to account for high-rise construction
C. More stringent than the NYS Energy Code
D. Optional for buildings under 10 stories
Answer: C
Rationale: By NY State law, local government Energy Codes (including NYCECC) must be "more
stringent" than the ECCCNYS .
3. A 30-story apartment building (R-2 occupancy) is covered under LL88 for lighting upgrades.
What is the exception for dwelling units regarding lighting requirements?
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A. They are fully exempt from the law
B. They are not regulated for lighting under LL88
C. Only the hallways need upgrades
D. They must install submeters but not change light bulbs
Answer: B
Rationale: Under LL88, lighting upgrade requirements do NOT apply to dwelling units classified in
occupancy group R-2 or R-3 .
4. What is the legal significance of the 2025 NYS Court of Appeals ruling regarding LL97?
A. Local Law 97 was struck down as unconstitutional
B. Ruling affirmed that Local Law 97 is not preempted by state climate laws
C. The ruling exempted residential buildings from emission caps
D. It delayed implementation until 2035
Answer: B
Rationale: The Court of Appeals ruled that the State Climate Act does not preempt NYC’s LL97, affirming
the city’s right to enforce stricter building emission limits .
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5. A property owner misses the deadline to file the LL88 lighting report. What is the penalty?
A. 500B.500B.1,000
C. 1,500D.1,500D.10,000
Answer: C
Rationale: Failure to file a lighting upgrade report incurs a fine of $1,500, assessed annually until
compliance .
6. A building qualifies for an LL87 filing extension. To be granted a deferral, what must be
demonstrated?
A. The building meets current NYCECC requirements
B. The building is rent-stabilized
C. The owner has filed for bankruptcy
D. The building is less than 20 years old
Answer: A
Rationale: Deferrals are permitted when an applicant can demonstrate that the property meets current
NYCECC requirements .
NYC Energy Conservation Specialist Exam COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
NYC Energy Conservation Specialist Exam (likely in reference to the NYC DOB Energy Auditor
certification required under Local Law 87 of 2009 (LL87) ), as well as other relevant green building laws
in NYC.
Summarized Exam Topic Coverage
• Code Hierarchy & Legal Basis (LL87, LL88, LL97, NYCECC) – NYC Energy Conservation Code
(NYCECC) is more stringent than NYS code; LL87 mandates Energy Audits and Retro-
commissioning; LL88 mandates Lighting Upgrades and Submeters; LL97 caps building emissions.
• Building Coverage & Compliance Triggers – LL87 applies to buildings >50,000 sq. ft.; LL88
applies to buildings >25,000 sq. ft.; Reporting deadlines tied to tax block digits; Filing extensions
for substantial rehabilitation; Deferral requirements (must meet current NYCECC).
• Energy Auditing (ASHRAE Level II) – Site surveys, utility analysis, identifying ECMs,
benchmarking, investment-grade audit components.
• Retro-commissioning (RCx) – Functional testing of HVAC/BAS, confirming installation meets
design intent, O&M manual review, ongoing commissioning.
• Lighting Systems (LL88) – Luminaire replacement; Lighting Power Density (LPD); Lighting
controls (occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting); Submeter installation for tenants >5,000 sq.
ft.
• Building Envelope & HVAC – Continuous insulation, air barriers, economizers, fan power
limitations, duct leakage testing, fenestration U-factors.
• Benchmarking & Energy Star Portfolio Manager – EUI metrics, data verification, compliance
deadlines, emissions intensity.
• Financial & Reporting Requirements – Energy Efficiency Reports (EER); Fines for non-
compliance (up to $1,500 annually for LL88; penalties escalating under LL97); Filing fees.
1. An Energy Auditor is hired to evaluate a 60,000 sq. ft. commercial office building built in 1985.
What is the primary mandatory requirement for this building under NYC Local Law 87 (LL87)?
A. Annual boiler tune-ups
, Page 2 of 130
B. Energy audit and retro-commissioning every 10 years
C. Installation of solar panels
D. Immediate replacement of all single-pane windows
Answer: B
Rationale: LL87 requires buildings >50,000 sq. ft. to undergo an energy audit and retro-commissioning
(RCx) once every ten years .
2. The NYC Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) is based on State standards but must be:
A. Exactly the same as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
B. Less stringent to account for high-rise construction
C. More stringent than the NYS Energy Code
D. Optional for buildings under 10 stories
Answer: C
Rationale: By NY State law, local government Energy Codes (including NYCECC) must be "more
stringent" than the ECCCNYS .
3. A 30-story apartment building (R-2 occupancy) is covered under LL88 for lighting upgrades.
What is the exception for dwelling units regarding lighting requirements?
, Page 3 of 130
A. They are fully exempt from the law
B. They are not regulated for lighting under LL88
C. Only the hallways need upgrades
D. They must install submeters but not change light bulbs
Answer: B
Rationale: Under LL88, lighting upgrade requirements do NOT apply to dwelling units classified in
occupancy group R-2 or R-3 .
4. What is the legal significance of the 2025 NYS Court of Appeals ruling regarding LL97?
A. Local Law 97 was struck down as unconstitutional
B. Ruling affirmed that Local Law 97 is not preempted by state climate laws
C. The ruling exempted residential buildings from emission caps
D. It delayed implementation until 2035
Answer: B
Rationale: The Court of Appeals ruled that the State Climate Act does not preempt NYC’s LL97, affirming
the city’s right to enforce stricter building emission limits .
, Page 4 of 130
5. A property owner misses the deadline to file the LL88 lighting report. What is the penalty?
A. 500B.500B.1,000
C. 1,500D.1,500D.10,000
Answer: C
Rationale: Failure to file a lighting upgrade report incurs a fine of $1,500, assessed annually until
compliance .
6. A building qualifies for an LL87 filing extension. To be granted a deferral, what must be
demonstrated?
A. The building meets current NYCECC requirements
B. The building is rent-stabilized
C. The owner has filed for bankruptcy
D. The building is less than 20 years old
Answer: A
Rationale: Deferrals are permitted when an applicant can demonstrate that the property meets current
NYCECC requirements .
