Major energy efficiency upgrades resulting in a $37M investment have enhanced Lincoln Hospital’s infrastructure and reduced the hospital’s carbon emissions.  

Energy-efficiency retrofits and upgrades at Lincoln Hospital recognized by the Division of Energy Management as the City’s ‘Energy Project of the Year.’ 

NEW YORK – Today, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H), and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the completion of a comprehensive, two-phase energy retrofit project at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Hospital in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The project marks the latest milestone in both agencies’ ongoing efforts to optimize energy use and decarbonize building operations by implementing technologies that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.  A $37 million investment, the project is expected to reduce the hospital’s energy use and save the City nearly $1.5 million annually. The resulting emissions reduction—5,300 metric tons of CO₂ each year—is equivalent to taking approximately 1,150 cars off the road. “These new energy efficiency upgrades are more than just numbers on a page—they represent real progress in our city’s fight against climate change, and tangible momentum towards reducing city emissions by 50% by 2030,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “I’m thankful to our partners at NYC Health + Hospitals and NYPA for their collaboration at Lincoln Hospital as we complete this project for the betterment of residents of Mott Haven, in addition to further projects across the city.”  “At NYC Health + Hospitals, we are proud to invest in sustainable infrastructure that not only reduces our carbon footprint, but also enhances the comfort, safety, and well-being of our patient, staff, and the communities we serve,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President of Facilities Manny Saez. “The energy efficiency upgrades at Lincoln Hospital are a strong testament to that commitment.”   “The energy efficient upgrades to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln not only reduced the hospital’s energy requirements and carbon footprint, it also creates a more comfortable environment for our patients and staff,” said Cristina Contreras, LMSW, MPA, FABC, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. “Investing in energy efficiency is crucial not just for reducing costs, but for also enhancing public health and ultimately fostering a healthier community.” Lincoln Hospital is a 1.2 million square foot facility that has served the surrounding Bronx communities since 1973. With 362 beds, it operates as a Level 1 trauma center and is part of the NYC Health + Hospitals system. As one of the busiest hospitals in the United States, it handles more than 168,000 emergency room visits annually. Lincoln Hospital offers a wide range of comprehensive services, including primary care, specialty clinics, intensive care units (neonatal, pediatric, and coronary), dialysis, and dedicated centers for stroke, diabetes, breast imaging, and HIV/AIDS care.  The $37 million comprehensive energy efficiency project was completed in two phases. This investment focused on upgrading the hospital’s infrastructure with extensive enhancements to the lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and related control systems. A total of 16,000 lighting fixtures were replaced with new high-efficiency LED technology across the facility; thirty-eight air handling units received a full range of upgrades that optimized energy usage; and wireless thermostats were installed in over 200 induction units, replacing outdated controls and enabling remote scheduling and temperature management. Additionally, 20 compromised risers serving these induction units were replaced. Pictured above: Upgraded chiller at Lincoln Hospital. The optimization of four existing chillers with variable frequency drives (VFD) and chiller plant control integration will contribute substantially to Lincoln Hospital’s reduction in energy use.The elevators throughout the hospital were also modernized with new controls, motors, and regenerative drives that capture energy. This regenerative technology lowers energy demand and minimizes thermal load in mechanical spaces. Also included was the optimization of four existing chillers with VFDs and chiller plant control integration. A new deaerator (DA) tank was installed to enhance boiler operation, and an extensive overhaul of the building management system (BMS) was completed to fully integrate, monitor, and control the facility’s mechanical systems.  These upgrades help extend equipment life, enhance indoor air quality and patient care lighting, and increase energy efficiency which realizes utility and operational cost savings. Additionally, reducing energy consumption results in a decrease of greenhouse gas emissions and reduces Lincoln Hospital’s overall carbon footprint.  In May 2025, the energy-efficiency retrofit project at Lincoln Hospital was awarded ‘Energy Project of the Year’ at the annual DCAS Energy Recognition Ceremony. Celebrating projects for their technological innovation and energy efficiency, in addition to overall community impact and agency partnership, this project was recognized for its high degree of operational complexity to keep the hospital running during construction, as well as its long-term vision and greenhouse gas impact.  “The Lincoln Hospital energy retrofit project exemplifies the kind of ambitious, complex work needed to meet New York City’s decarbonization goals,” said NYC’s Chief Decarbonization Officer and DCAS Deputy Commissioner of Energy Management Sana Barakat. “Executing a project of this scale, while keeping a vital public hospital fully operational, required remarkable interagency coordination and technical excellence. With significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions, improved building systems, and climate resilience for a facility that serves a disadvantaged community, DCAS is proud to have supported this project, and even prouder to recognize it as 2025’s Energy Project of the Year.”  The project was made possible in partnership with DCAS’ Division of Energy Management, which provided $37 million in funding, as well as technical support. Completed as part of DCAS’ Accelerated Conservation and Efficiency (ACE) Program, this program provides funding and facilitates the implementation of energy efficiency and emission reduction projects through partnerships with city agencies. Other projects implemented through the ACE Program include solar photovoltaic (solar PV) panel installations, HVAC and building management system upgrades, and electrification of heating systems.  DCAS plays a critical role in supporting agency partners in their energy reduction and emissions goals. Projected to save over 5,300 MTCO2e and $1.5 million on energy costs each year, the Lincoln Hospital upgrade will help New York City meet its mandate to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 through investments in thousands of efficiency projects each year. Since 2014, DCAS has contributed nearly $1.1 billion in funding across over 15,600 completed energy conservation measures, leading to a reduction of 410,000 MTCO2e — an impact equivalent to removing 89,000 cars from the road. These projects are estimated to have reduced annual energy costs by $145 million.