Effective energy savings solutions for existing buildings

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Effective energy savings solutions for existing buildings: re-commissioning and retro-commissioning


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By Christopher Wong

Building commissioning has become common practice for many newly constructed buildings because of the value that this process holds to building owners. The commissioning process verifies that building systems are operating as intended, and as efficiently as possible when the building is turned over to the owner after construction completion. It also ensures that facility staff is sufficiently trained, and that equipment documentation is in order. But, what if a building has never been commissioned?

Retro-commissioning is a commissioning process that applies to existing buildings that were not commissioned originally. This process takes place after construction as an independent process. The purpose of retro-commissioning is to resolve any problems that occurred during building design or construction, or address problems that have developed during the building’s life. The retro-commissioning inspection, analysis and resolution process ensure that the existing building’s equipment and systems are optimized to meet the building occupant’s current needs.

For continuous maintenance and assurance that a building’s equipment is running as efficiently as possible, it is recommended that buildings that have been newly commissioned or retro-commissioned go through a re-commissioning process every three to five years. The value of continuous commissioning is to improve comfort, optimize energy use, identify potential retrofits for energy savings and improve overall system control and operations for the building. Rather than a set of prescriptive measures, re-commissioning adapts to meet the specific needs of each building owner. The re-commissioning process involves a comprehensive engineering evaluation that focuses on low cost solutions to comfort and high energy use concerns.

The benefits of re- / retro-commissioning:
•    Focus on opportunities for optimization of equipment/systems
•    Utility cost reduction: five to 15 per cent
•    Enhance property value
•    Reduce repair and replacement costs of equipment with proper maintenance strategies
•    Increase building’s energy performance efficiency
•    Improved Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
•    Improved building documentation

Associated costs with re- / retro-commissioning:
•   Commissioning consultant’s fees for planning, investigating, implementing and closing the re-/retro-commissioning project
•   Facilitate staff time and cost of including other professionals in the process
•   Cost of correcting problems identified by re-commissioning
•   Restorative maintenance costs to return equipment or systems to proper condition

Ideal candidates for re- / retro-commissioning are:
•   Existing buildings that have never been commissioned
•   Buildings that were commissioned more than five years ago
•   Existing buildings with newly replaced mechanical HVAC equipment
•   Existing building with a building automation system that is not being monitored
•   Buildings with known comfort problems

Christopher Wong, B.A.Sc., EIT, is a Commissioning Agent with the LEED® & Engineering Services division of Provident Energy Management Inc. He can be reached at 416-736-0630 ext 1014 or cwong@pemi.com.

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