Brownstone Renovation: Making Our Brooklyn Home Energy-Efficient (Part 1)
Brooklyn interior designers are all about the latest trends, but it’s also important to consider our impact on the world: how do we raise the bar not only for visual aesthetics, but also create more energy-efficient homes and green, sustainable housing that helps improve the environment—and compete with the best interior designers in New York and around the world?
Green housing and energy-saving have always been one of our prioritized design concerns, and we’re so excited to be making our very own brownstone in Bed-Stuy an energy-efficient home. The best part of being a brownstone interior designer (who lives in his own brownstone) is modeling what I want our clients to do as well.
Brownstone Renovation: Planning for Energy Efficiency
I’ve been wanting to do this for years, but in a brownstone renovation —repointing brick and replacing the cast-iron handrail and balusters—came first. Once the 19th-century details were restored, it was time to add some 21st-century amenities.
This phased approach is something we often recommend to clients during a brownstone renovation: preservation and sustainability don’t have to be at odds, but timing and sequencing matter.
Can a Historic Brownstone Really Be Energy Efficient?
When solar power was first invented over 30 years ago, the concept of residential solar heating was also proposed. But due to high costs and limited governmental support, it never fully took off. Still, I’ve wanted solar since I was little—it always seemed like such a smart way to conserve energy. I even remember school experiments with small solar propellers and trying (unsuccessfully) to convince my parents to install a solar hot water heater.
Today, technology has finally caught up with that early promise.
Is Solar Worth It for a Brooklyn Brownstone?
Modern advances have made solar energy a viable and cost-effective option for many homeowners. Instead of sending money to a large utility company each month, solar allows you to generate your own electricity and keep those dollars working for you.
In our case, working with Brooklyn SolarWorks made it possible to design a system tailored specifically to a brownstone rooftop—something many homeowners assume can’t be done in historic neighborhoods.
Who Provides Solar Panel Installation Services for Brownstone Rooftops?
Finding the right team is key. Brownstones present unique structural and aesthetic considerations, which is why working with installers experienced in Brooklyn’s building stock matters. Companies that specialize in local rooftops understand how to integrate solar without compromising architectural integrity.
For us, that expertise made all the difference.
How Much Energy Can a Multi-Unit Brownstone Generate?
Generating your own electricity isn’t just about cost savings—it’s also about impact. Our system now produces nearly 97–100% of the energy needed for three out of four apartments in our building.
Each year, that translates into a carbon-dioxide reduction equivalent to roughly 10,000–12,000 car miles—while also lowering ongoing energy costs.
Why Energy Efficiency Is Part of Good Interior Design
For us, energy efficiency isn’t separate from design—it’s part of it. Thoughtful interior design (especially during a brownstone renovation) should support how a home functions, feels, and performs over time. Whether through solar integration, smarter systems, or long-term planning, sustainable choices allow historic homes to evolve without losing their character.
Living in our own brownstone has only reinforced that belief.
* If you want to learn more check our Guide to Essential Sustainable Interior Design
** And since we touch upon cost savings, check our Guide to Interior Design Costs in NYC