On December 18, 2025, the New York City Council passed new housing legislation that could significantly impact multifamily property owners. In addition to the widely discussed expansion of purchase rights for nonprofits under the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), a less publicized bill introduces a new air conditioner requirement that may increase electrical demand and summer operating costs. While final details are still pending, as owners prepare to submit decarbonization strategies under Local Law 97, now is the time to develop a capital plan that treats cooling as a habitability standard rather than an amenity.
What This Means for Owners and Property Managers:
- Mandatory cooling increases utility expenditures and building emissions, increasing exposure Local Law 97 penalties if not implemented properly
- Older buildings may require panel, feeder, riser, or service upgrades
- Added costs can affect cash flow, compliance risk, and asset valuation
- Owners planning a sale may need to address system readiness sooner than expected
For many properties, this is not simply a problem solved by installing window units or PTACs (packaged terminal air conditioners commonly found in multifamily buildings); it is a building systems and capital planning issue. Without a coordinated approach, owners may face rising summer electric bills, rushed installations, and avoidable construction costs.
How Can Falcon Help?
Falcon’s MEP team helps property owners plan smartly, comply confidently, and control long-term costs by providing:
- Electrical capacity and load assessments, including service, panel, and feeder upgrade planning
- Central cooling vs. in-unit system feasibility and comparison studies
- PTAC, VRF, and other energy-efficient cooling system design solutions
- Engineering design and coordination for through-wall air conditioning and related building envelope upgrades
- Phased implementation and capital planning strategies to minimize disruption
- Utility rebate and incentive consulting to reduce out-of-pocket project costs
Whether you’re preparing for tenant opt-ins now or planning ahead for portfolio-wide compliance, Falcon helps turn a mandate into a managed strategy.
Contact Falcon’s MEP team to see how your building can stay cool without overheating your budget.
