When a building is new, everything is set up so that all systems are humming along. Over time, however, equipment ages, set points get overridden, renovations occur and operating schedules change. It makes sense, then, to periodically check in to ensure that the building is operating according to the current needs of the owner and occupants, and that systems are performing as efficiently as possible. That’s where retrocommissioning comes in.
What is retrocommissioning?
Commissioning is a systematic process for ensuring that building systems perform efficiently and operate as intended. It is intended for new construction buildings. Retrocommissioning is a similar process for existing buildings that were never commissioned in the first place.
Retrocommissioning can help improve building performance and reduce operating and maintenance costs. It also has some serious energy-saving potential. Retrocommissioning an existing building can result in 15% energy savings and a payback period of less than a year, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report.
Does your building need to be retrocommissioned?
Retrocommissioning is appropriate for most buildings, but if your building is older and has never been commissioned, then it is a prime candidate. Other key indicators for retrocommissioning include:
- Frequent failure of building equipment or control systems
- Excessive occupant comfort complaints
- Lower-than-average energy performance compared to similar buildings
How can you tell if your energy performance is below average or not? Use ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager™, a free online tool available from the EPA. With a few simple inputs regarding your building and its energy use, you'll receive a score comparing your building's energy performance to similar facilities nationwide.
If your building was commissioned when first constructed, consider recommissioning — a similar, but somewhat different process designed for buildings that have already been commissioned to ensure they are still operating as needed.
Phases of retrocommissioning
Retrocommissioning projects can vary depending on the type and conditioning of the building, as well as the available budget. However, retrocommissioning generally involves four phases: planning, investigation, implementation and reporting.
- Planning involves defining the scope and overall objectives of the project, identifying an individual or team to oversee it and selecting a qualified outside service provider with experience in the process.
- Investigation includes an assessment of building system performance. Performance issues are identified and prioritized. Then, the most effective potential improvement measures are selected for implementation.
- Implementation is when recommended improvement measures are put in place. Regular monitoring and retesting are performed to verify results. This information is compared to pre-implementation data to measure improvement.
- Reporting documents the project and its findings. The report should include the retrocommissioning plan, the measures implemented, the improvement results and a financial analysis of the project's costs and benefits.
For more information, see EPA Building Commissioning Guidelines, which includes a section on the retrocommissioning process.