The Renaissance of Lady Garson
Furnaces, Weatherization, Window Replacement
Photos by Lauren Petracca
The Little Apartment House That Could
Realtor Patrick DiCiaccio had a vision when he purchased a small, three unit, apartment home on Garson Ave, in the South Marketview Heights neighborhood, an area he loves. This was his first property investment venture and role as a landlord, and as a jack of all trades he didn’t mind something that needed some work. He playfully calls the location Lady Garson, highlighting both the character of the house and the heart Patrick has for restoring its beauty.
Sledgehammer in hand, Patrick immediately got to work renovating the attic apartment on the third floor, where he discovered there “wasn’t a stitch of insulation.” He also discovered that the two gas furnaces in the basement were “absolute dinosaurs.”
With tenant comfort and quality of living in mind, Patrick set to work trying to find help to make the space not just livable but sustainable. As a former federal employee with the Department of Energy, Patrick recognized both the environmental needs as well as the health and cost-saving benefits of energy efficiency.
Patrick was connected with an AMPED Energy Advisor, who, as Patrick recalls, introduced himself as “the free money guy.” Indeed, there are a number of energy efficiency incentives available through NYSERDA to a range of income levels and upgrades can be made with what are in some cases deep discounts.
The first step was a free energy assessment, which identified what tenant-based improvements were eligible to receive funding assistance. In addition to replacing the furnaces and weatherizing the property with insulation, Patrick learned the property was also eligible for glass block windows in the basement.
Patrick was pleased with how smooth the process was, which was facilitated by the AMPED Energy Advisor team. They connected him with incentives as well as reputable local contractors to ensure the work was completed timely and accurately. There has even been interest from neighbors who witnessed the transformation who are taking advantage of available incentives for their own homes.
Project Highlights
Project Overview
2 electric furnaces (gas removed)
Window replacement on upper unit
Weatherization throughout the building
Financial Incentives
RENEW PIP grant through PathStone: $20k
EmPower+: Program paid $12,344.74 in grant funds towards insulation, air sealing, and replacement with a 96% efficient furnace. Per EmPower+ calculations, lifetime energy savings resulting from the work are $11,994.65.
Project team
AMPED Energy Advisor
Hughesco (Contractor)
PathStone
Highlights
Considerable cost savings to tenants with income restrictions
Improved quality of life / living conditions
Happy Tenants=Happy Landlord
While, as an agent and first-time landlord, Patrick is excited about the significant return on investment, it was clear that from the beginning Patrick’s goal was to pass savings from the reduced energy usage onto the tenants renting the apartment house. “The tenants are thrilled,” he beamed as he showed off the renovations. “That’s probably the number one benefit as far as I’m concerned. They’re super happy.” The transformation of the attic apartment is dynamic, and Libby, who lives in what is known as “the treehouse” for its cathedral ceiling and natural light, is loving her new, energy efficient home. She said, “It just makes life easier. Before I moved here my utilities were through the roof and not doable. Since moving here, they have been almost a hundred dollars less, which leaves more money for other things.”
Likewise, Barbara and Wanda, a mother-daughter duo who have lived in the downstairs apartment for over two decades, couldn’t be happier with a landlord who truly cares about the property and with all of the improvements, noting that the “awful smell” that came from the original gas furnaces is now gone and there is improved air quality and circulation from the new, electric furnaces. Reflecting on the incentive program, they shared, “It’s the best thing you could ever do to improve your home.”
The Bottom Line
While rehabbing an older home in the South Marketview Heights neighborhood might seem daunting, new landlord Patrick’s heart and vision, along with energy efficiency incentives available through NYSERDA with the assistance of AMPED Energy Advisors, made the renaissance of Lady Garson appear flawless. The tenants have an improved living experience and Patrick is looking to the future and building on the beauty of the property for even more enhancements.