Plaza Apartments | Brooklyn, NY

posted on Monday, March 15, 2021 in CHP Case Studies

“We pay for each tenant’s heat and electricity so finding a solution that could save us money definitely caught our attention. With 180 properties to manage, one can appreciate the savings potential after the capital investment.” – Arkadiy Yadgarov | Omni Vice President of Building Maintenance

Project Overview

The Omni Organization is a real estate development corporation that acquires, renovates, builds and manages affordable housing throughout the United States, using environmentally friendly solutions whenever possible. Omni New York LLC, as the name implies, is the New York-based arm of the organization. Perpetuating the corporate mission, when the cost-effective and clean energy solution of Combined Heat and Power presented itself, Omni immediately began researching its viability, ultimately selecting and integrating YANMAR’s CHP technology into three of its properties with plans to follow suit at additional locations in the near future.

Reason for Choosing YANMAR

In 2017, The New York Housing Conference awarded Omni the “2017 Developer of the Year Award,” recognizing innovative design and technological advancements in the properties, including the use of cogenerated heat and power. In addition to being clean, cogeneration, also known as Combined Heat and Power, or CHP, is energy-efficient, and this was music to management’s ears.

“With 180 properties to manage, one can appreciate the savings potential and attractive payback after the capital investment,” explained Arkadiy Yadgarov, Omni Vice President of Building Maintenance.

Yadgarov, who also serves as an in-house engineer, approached the solution as he does most every project: with reservations. Methodical and calculated, Yadgarov extensively researched various CHP systems, in addition to preparing his own cost-savings analysis. “It was only when the numbers all checked out” as he said, that he proceeded with the first installation.

A Path to Get Off the Grid

The combination of YANMAR’s product and Aegis’ expertise provides a potential solution to existing building infrastructures and energy cost savings. Aegis Energy Services has successfully designed and installed YANMAR Combined Heat and Power systems in numerous facilities, including large apartment buildings, reducing energy costs by up to 50%. Contact Aegis Energy Services to learn more about YANMAR CHP technology and the innovative solutions
they can bring to not only your building needs but your sustainability goals as well.

Results

Almost one year after their installation, the systems are on track to meet their projected return on investment.

YANMAR’s CP35 was chosen for its output and ability to offer standby power, an important factor for consideration of any facility, particularly for one square in a large city such as New York known for a large energy draw and sometimes unreliable grid. By making the transition to CHP, Omni property managers do not worry about calls from angry tenants or a magnitude of service calls during taxing energy months throughout the summer.

“The decision to make the switch to CHP was a sound one,” said Yadgarov. “We’ve installed YANMAR units at three of our properties to-date and plan to integrate the same technology into our other properties throughout the city. With more free cash, we are able to make renovations more expeditiously. CHP has ultimately improved our bottom line and changed our business plans for the better—not to mention our sustainability goals.”

Learn more about Plaza Residences – Brooklyn, NY

Download Project Summary