The second largest senior living operator in the world, Ventas owns and operates more than 800 communities across North America and the UK, with a commitment to reach net zero by 2040. The Ventas community in NYC was contending with aging equipment and higher-than-expected energy use compared to other local multifamily high-rise buildings. The high energy usage resulted in both steep operating expenses and future Local Law 97 fines.
Replacing aging systems with more efficient alternatives, air-to-water heat pumps will be installed to cover the entire building heating load down to 30F, with high-efficiency condensing boilers providing supplemental heat in below-freezing temperatures. Each apartment will be outfitted with new vertical stack water-source heat pumps that will allow for heat recovery in shoulder seasons. Energy savings will be maximized by the move to a fully variable speed system. The project also maximizes heat recovery with water-to-water heat pumps recycling heat into the swimming pool and domestic hot water.
Despite this comprehensive retrofit, disruption to residents will be minimal, and HVAC services will not be interrupted. Once complete, the project will result in significant cost savings as well as long-term Local Law 97 compliance thanks to an 80% reduction in on-site GHG emissions.
