Multifamily Statewide Baseline Study

Who is NYSERDA, and why are they conducting this study?

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. NYSERDA, in cooperation with electric and natural gas utilities in New York, is gathering information on how people use energy in multifamily buildings. Study results will be used to design multifamily energy programs, such as those that focus on energy efficiency or renewable energy, and to help New York State meet its greenhouse gas emission goals.

Where can I find more information about this study or NYSERDA?

You can contact Tracey DeSimone, the study’s project manager, by calling 518-862-1090, ext. 3452 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Will I receive an incentive for participating in the study?

There are two opportunities for incentives throughout the study for multifamily building tenants.

1. Living unit site visit ($50): Tenants who agree to participate in a site visit of their homes will receive a $50 gift card.
2. Survey ($50): The study will provide an additional $50 gift card to one occupant of each visited living unit after the occupant completes an occupant survey. You can complete the survey via phone or online. Study staff will provide information about the survey by email or by leaving behind a handout in the living unit during the site visit.

How is my utility involved in this study?

Electric and natural gas utilities in New York State provide helpful guidance and data to the study team, such as general information about multifamily buildings. After participating building representatives and occupants sign a utility billing data release form, the utilities will also provide building and occupant utility billing data to the study team to aid with the study’s analysis.

Will my information be kept confidential?

Yes. All information will be treated as confidential by NYSERDA to the extent permitted by law including, but not limited to, the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The data you share with NYSERDA will be aggregated and anonymized prior to reporting.

Who will have access to the study information?

Information gathered through the survey and site visit can be accessed only by those working on NYSERDA’s behalf to complete the research study. Data will be reported in the aggregate, and we will not publish specific information on an individual, building, or living unit.

What organizations or companies are working on behalf of NYSERDA with the study?

Cadmus is a company working on NYSERDA’s behalf to coordinate the study’s surveys and site visits.

Leede Research is a company working on NYSERDA’s behalf to conduct the telephone survey.

GDS Associates scheduling and conducting site visits in Upstate New York.

Steven Winter Associates scheduling and conducting site visits in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Ridgeline Energy Analytics scheduling and conducting site visits in Long Island.

How long is the study available?

The study will remain open through June 2023, but we will recruit a limited number of participants for each in each region of the State. The timing of study availability will vary by region, with some region eligibility ending before June 2023.

Are you selling something?

We are not selling any products or services, and we will not sell or provide your information to others.

Questions related to a site visit

Do I need to be home for the site visit to my living unit?

No. If you provide permission for a building representative to let us into your home, field staff can complete the site visit with the building representative present. The field technician will leave your home exactly as they find it.

Is there an incentive for completing a site visit?

Yes. The study will provide a $50 gift card to one occupant of each living unit visited, whether or not the occupant is present during the site visit.

What information will be gathered during the living unit site visit?

A technician will conduct a walkthrough to gather data about lighting, appliances, insulation, heating and cooling equipment, and other items that use energy.

How long will the site visit take?

The site visit should last thirty minutes to an hour.

What steps will the study take to me safe from COVID-19?

Study field technicians will wear masks at all times.

How can I identify the technician coming to my building?

You can view photographs of all study technicians by downloading Meet the Technicians [PDF].

Can I go around with the technician and see what they are looking at?

You may observe the technician, but please keep in mind that the technicians are trained to collect data efficiently. They cannot offer interpretations of your living unit’s conditions or recommend energy efficient improvements. If you have questions about energy efficiency, please consider consulting NYSERDA or your local utility for information and/or resources

Who do I call if I have questions about the site visit?

• If you are located in Upstate New York, call GDS Associates by phone at 603-391-0042 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in New York City or the Lower Hudson Valley, call Steven Winter Associates by phone at 212-564-5800 x 1240 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in Long Island, call Ridgeline Energy Analytics by phone at 857-331-2563 or by email at [email protected].

Questions related to the survey

Is there an incentive for completing the on-site multifamily building energy use survey?

Those completing the multifamily building energy use survey will receive a $50 gift card incentive within two weeks of completing both the survey and the site visit.

How long is the survey?

The survey will take about 15 minutes.

What kinds of questions are you asking in the survey?

The survey collects information about the general characteristics of multifamily building living units.

Can I start the online survey now and finish later?

Yes, your responses will be saved for two weeks. Within that time period, you should be able to complete the survey after logging back in with your survey ID. If you experience problems, feel free to contact Cadmus at [email protected].

Who do I contact if I have questions about the survey?

Building representatives can choose to complete the survey either online or via telephone. Contact Cadmus at [email protected] if you have questions about the online survey. Contact Leede Research if you have questions about the online survey. Contact Leede Research if you have questions about the telephone survey by calling 800-245-1993 or emailing [email protected].

Who is NYSERDA, and why are they conducting this study?

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. NYSERDA, in cooperation with electric and natural gas utilities in New York, is gathering information on how people use energy in multifamily buildings. Study results will be used to design multifamily energy programs, such as those that focus on energy efficiency or renewable energy, and to help New York State meet its greenhouse gas emission goals.

Where can I find more information about this study or NYSERDA?

You can contact Tracey DeSimone, the study’s project manager, by calling 518-862-1090, ext. 3452 or by sending email to [email protected].

Will I receive an incentive for participating in the study?

There are three opportunities for incentives throughout the study, for up to $550 per building. Building representatives can participate for up to three buildings per property in New York (depending on the number of multifamily buildings on the property), and there are no limits on the number of properties for which the building representatives can participate.

1. Building Characteristics Survey ($200): Building representatives who complete the building characteristics survey online or via phone for each of one or more buildings will receive one $200 Amazon eGift Card per survey.
2. Building common area site visit ($250 gift card and free building report): Building representatives who participate in a site visit will receive a $250 Amazon eGift Card per building after the site visit. Building representatives can also choose to receive a complementary building report after the site visit. This building report will provide information about the building’s primary components (HVAC, building shell, lighting, and hot water) and information on utility and state energy efficiency programs.
3. Recruitment of occupant units to the study for $50 per unit: We will ask building representatives to help us recruit one to two occupants to allow field staff to document their homes’ characteristics and equipment. The building representative will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card for each occupant that he or she recruits. The study aims to visit one unit for buildings with 5 units and to visit two units for buildings with more than 5 units. In return for their participation, one occupant per home will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card. One occupant per home can also receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card for completing an occupant survey.

How is my utility involved in this study?

Electric and natural gas utilities in New York State provide helpful guidance and data to the study team, such as general information about multifamily buildings. For participating building representatives and occupants who sign a utility billing data release form, the utilities will also provide building and occupant utility billing data to the study team to aid with the study’s analysis.

How did you get my contact information?

The project team gathered building data and contact information from publicly available sources. In some cases, organizations that wish to support the study have sent out email to members or other associated individuals to encourage participation in the study, but these groups do not provide email addresses to the project team.

Will my information be kept confidential?

Yes. All information will be treated as confidential by NYSERDA to the extent permitted by law including, but not limited to, the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The data you share with NYSERDA will be aggregated and anonymized prior to reporting.

Who will have access to the study information?

Information gathered through the survey and site visit can be accessed only by those working on NYSERDA’s behalf to complete the research study. Data will be reported in the aggregate, and we will not publish specific information on an individual, building, or dwelling unit.

How long is the study available?

The study will remain open through June 2023, but we will recruit a limited number of participants for each combination of target building attributes, such as region, building size, and ownership type. As participation is limited, if this interests you, please complete this survey as soon as possible. Eligibility for several regions will end before June 2023.

Are you selling something?

We are not selling any products or services, and we will not sell or provide your information to others.

Who is Cadmus?

Cadmus is conducting the study on behalf of NYSERDA and the New York State Department of Public Service.

Who is Leede Research?

Leede Research is conducting outbound calls to recruit study participants and answering calls to the study’s toll-free number, working under the direction of Cadmus and NYSERDA.

Who is GDS Associates?

GDS Associates is scheduling and conducting site visits in Upstate New York.

Who is Steven Winter Associates?

Steven Winter Associates is scheduling and conducting site visits in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Who is Ridgeline Energy Analytics?

Ridgeline Energy Analytics is scheduling and conducting site visits in Long Island.

Questions related to the survey

How do I take the survey?

If you have not already received an invitation via phone or email to complete the survey, you can complete the survey here . Otherwise, Cadmus will email you a link to the survey for the buildings that you agree can receive a site visit.

Is there an incentive for completing the multifamily building characteristics survey?

Building representatives who complete the multifamily building characteristics survey online or via phone will receive a $200 Amazon eGift Card within two weeks of completing the survey. Building representatives will receive $200 for each completed survey. Building representatives can complete a survey for up to three buildings per property located in New York, and there are no limits on the number of New York properties for which the building representative can participate.

Is there an incentive for completing the multifamily building decision-making survey?

Building representatives may also be asked to participate in a multifamily building decision-making survey, and they will receive a $50 gift card incentive within two weeks of completing the survey. Building representatives can only complete one decision-maker survey.

How long are the surveys?

Depending on your responses, the survey will take between 15 and 25 minutes.

What kinds of questions are you asking in the building characteristics survey?

The survey collects information about the general and energy-use characteristics of multifamily buildings and dwelling units. 

Can I start the online survey now and finish later?

Yes, your responses will be saved for two weeks. Within that time period, you should be able to complete the survey after logging back in with your survey ID. If you experience problems, feel free to contact Cadmus at [email protected].

Who do I contact if I have questions about the survey?

Building representatives can choose to complete the survey either online or via telephone. Contact Cadmus at [email protected] if you have questions about the online survey. Contact Leede Research if you have questions about the telephone survey by calling 800-245-1993 or emailing [email protected].

Questions related to site visit

Is there an incentive for completing a site visit?

Yes, building representatives can earn a $250 Amazon eGift Card and, if requested, a free building report for each building that receives a site visit. The building report will provide information about the building’s primary components (HVAC, building shell, lighting, and hot water) and information on utility and state energy efficiency programs. The building representative will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card for each of up to two occupants that he or she recruits to participate in a 30-minute site visit of their dwelling unit. The study aims to visit one unit for buildings with five units and to visit two units for buildings with more than five units. In return for their participation, one occupant per home will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card. One occupant per home will also be eligible to receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card for completing an occupant survey.

How many of my buildings can receive a site visit?

There is no limit on the number of your New York properties that can receive a site visit, but there is a limit on the number of buildings per property:

• Sites with four or fewer buildings: one building
• Sites with five to eleven buildings: two buildings
• Sites with twelve or more buildings: three buildings

How do I sign up for a site visit?

You can indicate your interest in a site visit and complete a survey about your building here , or you can contact our field staff to sign up for a site visit. They will confirm your building’s eligibility to participate in the study. Our study has a target number of site visits by region and building height, so it is possible that your building will not be selected to participate in the site visit.

• If you are located in Upstate New York, call GDS Associates by phone at 603-391-0042 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in New York City or the Lower Hudson Valley, call Steven Winter Associates by phone at 212-564-5800 x 1240 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in Long Island, call Ridgeline Energy Analytics by phone at 857-331-2563 or by email at [email protected].

Do I have to complete the survey to be considered for the building site visit?

No. You can request to participate in a site visit without completing the survey. Alternatively, you can complete the survey after you complete the site visit. Once you have expressed interest in a site visit, a trained technician will call you to set up an appointment at your convenience. If you have not yet completed a survey for your building, we will send you a link to complete an optional online survey for each building that receives a site visit.

If I complete the survey, am I obligated to do the site visit?

No, you do not have to sign up for the site visit if you complete the survey. We hope you will be interested in participating in both parts of the study, but you are not obligated to complete the site visit after completing the online survey.

What is the next step?

If we select you for the site visit component of the study, we will contact you within three weeks of completing the survey to schedule a site visit and to answer any remaining questions you may have. Not every building will receive an invitation for a site visit.

Is there an incentive for completing a site visit?

Yes, building representatives can earn a $250 Amazon eGift Card. Building representatives can also request a complimentary building report after the site visit. The building report will provide information about the building’s primary components (HVAC, building shell, lighting, and hot water) and information on utility and state energy efficiency programs.

What information will be gathered during the building site visit?

A technician will conduct a walkthrough of the multifamily building common areas to gather data about lighting, appliances, heating and cooling equipment, insulation, and other building features. Additionally, the study will recruit one or two tenants per building to participate in living unit site visits during the same day as the building site visits.

How long will the site visit take?

The site visit should last two and a half to four and a half hours, depending on the size of your building.

How can I identify the technician coming to my building?

You can view photographs of all study technicians by downloading Meet the Technicians [PDF].

Can I go around with the technician and see what they are looking at?

You may observe the technician, but please keep in mind that the technicians are trained to collect data efficiently. They cannot offer interpretations of your building’s conditions or provide recommendations to improve building energy efficiency. If you have questions about energy efficiency, please consider consulting NYSERDA or your local utility for information and/or resources within your area.

What if I need to reschedule the appointment?

• If you are located in Upstate New York, call GDS Associates by phone at 603-391-0042 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in New York City or the Lower Hudson Valley, call Steven Winter Associates by phone at 212-564-5800 x 1240 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in Long Island, call Ridgeline Energy Analytics by phone at 857-331-2563 or by email at [email protected].

Though we may not be able to reschedule cancelled appointments, we can put you on a waiting list if other cancellations or openings happen while technicians are in your area.

Who do I call if I have questions about the site visit?

• If you are located in Upstate New York, call GDS Associates by phone at 603-391-0042 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in New York City or the Lower Hudson Valley, call Steven Winter Associates by phone at 212-564-5800 x 1240 or by email at [email protected].
• If you are located in Long Island, call Ridgeline Energy Analytics by phone at 857-331-2563 or by email at [email protected].