Business Details
37 Years
experience
Sustainable Engineering Solutions in Ithaca, NY
Founded in 1989, Taitem Engineering has established itself as a leader in sustainable building science and engineering solutions. Our team combines over 35 years of hands-on field experience with technical expertise to deliver high-performance building systems that align with environmental and client-specific goals. Specializing in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural design, we integrate energy efficiency and decarbonization strategies into every project phasefrom initial planning to post-construction verification. As a certified B Corporation, we uphold rigorous standards for social and environmental responsibility, ensuring our work advances equitable, future-ready infrastructure.Our engineers are licensed across multiple states and collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to achieve certifications like LEED, Passive House, and Net Zero. By prioritizing innovation and measurable outcomes, we help clients navigate energy incentives, reduce operational costs, and meet evolving regulatory requirements while maintaining a triple-bottom-line focus on people, planet, and prosperity.
Services
Mechanical Engineering
Energy Modeling
Commissioning
Structural Design
Passive House Certification
Geothermal Systems
LEED Consulting
Electrical Engineering
Plumbing Design
Energy Audits
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of expertise in sustainable building science and engineering.
- Our team includes certified B Corp professionals committed to environmental responsibility.
- We provide end-to-end project support from design to post-construction verification.
- Our engineers are licensed in 10+ states and specialize in LEED and Passive House certifications.
- We integrate energy modeling and decarbonization strategies to meet client-specific goals.
Associations and certifications
- B Corporation
Services
Energy Modeling
Our energy modeling services use advanced simulation tools to optimize building performance. We analyze energy use patterns, identify savings opportunities, and align designs with incentive programs. This ensures cost-effective, code-compliant solutions for new and existing structures.
Commissioning
We provide comprehensive commissioning to ensure systems operate as designed. Our team conducts performance testing, measurement verification, and ongoing support for LEED, LL87, and NYSERDA compliance. This guarantees long-term energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Passive House Design
Our Passive House expertise delivers ultra-efficient buildings with minimal energy use. We focus on airtight envelopes, thermal bridging reduction, and renewable integration. This approach meets PHIUS+ standards while lowering operational costs for clients.
Geothermal Systems
We design geothermal systems that leverage stable underground temperatures for efficient heating and cooling. Our engineers optimize loop configurations and integrate renewable energy to achieve net-zero goals for residential and commercial projects.
Structural Engineering
Our structural services include condition assessments, retrofitting, and new construction design. We specialize in historic preservation and modern materials, ensuring safety, durability, and compliance with state and federal codes.
People
Ian Shapiro
Founder
Ian founded Taitem in 1989 and now provides quality assurance for projects. He is a LEED AP, author of two engineering textbooks, and a visiting lecturer at Syracuse University.
Betsy Parrington
Vice-President, Senior Engineer
Betsy has 20+ years of experience in energy auditing and electrification projects. She manages Taitem's Quality Assurance service and oversees operations for NYSERDA multifamily programs.
Yossi Bronsnick
President, Senior Engineer
Yossi leads Taitem's engineering team and ensures quality across projects. He specializes in fossil fuel-free building design and holds licenses in eight states.
Crista Shopis
Senior Engineer, Department Manager
Crista manages energy retrofit projects and LEED certifications. With 15+ years at Taitem, she has led over 100 projects, including HVAC design and community facility development.
Umit Sirt
Distinguished Engineer, Partner
Umit leads energy modeling efforts and holds ASHRAE certifications. He specializes in building science assessments and was among the first ASHRAE HBDPs in New York State.
Questions
What services does Taitem Engineering offer?
We provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineering; energy modeling; commissioning; LEED consulting; and decarbonization strategies for high-performance buildings.
Which areas do you serve?
We primarily serve New York and the Northeast United States, with projects spanning commercial, multifamily, industrial, and institutional sectors.
Are you a certified B Corporation?
Yes, we meet rigorous standards for social and environmental responsibility, transparency, and legal accountability as a certified B Corporation.
How do you ensure project quality?
Our team includes licensed engineers, certified energy managers, and LEED professionals who conduct rigorous quality assurance reviews and field testing.
Can you help with energy incentives?
Yes, we navigate state, federal, and utility incentive programs to identify cost-effective paths to high-performance building goals.
What certifications do you support?
We assist with LEED, Passive House (PHIUS+), Net Zero, ENERGY STAR, and NYSERDA program certifications for new and existing buildings.
Reviews (1)
Anthony Guarneri
May 10, 2017
Report
I'm done a number of projects with Taitem and have always had good experiences. They are a very progressive company and have a lot going on there.
