Retro-Commissioning
Optimize efficiency and reduce costs while making old buildings better.
Architecturally pleasing and valuable buildings are designed and built with intended energy-efficient use, performance, and comfort. Over time, these buildings lose their original levels of efficiency. Maintenance issues arise. Equipment performance degrades. Costs build up. Occupants experience discomfort. This is when the need for retro-commissioning arises.
What is Retro-Commissioning?
Retro-commissioning is a structured process of evaluating buildings and optimizing their performance to improve energy efficiency, comfort, and function. During the process, the building’s performance is measured against design standards when it was first constructed.
The retro-commissioning process addresses systems that are no longer operating as intended, failing to provide adequate comfort, or experiencing equipment failures before the ends of their operating lives. The process determines what types of design modifications will be required to accomplish optimal energy savings.
Future capital outlays need thoughtful planning to prevent negative impacts and support positive outcomes for the building’s continued lifespan. DMA Engineering provides insight into the full costs and benefits of major equipment replacements and upgrades, which is a crucial element of operating resilient buildings.
An additional goal is to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and prepare it for a longer life. The lowest carbon building is the one already built. Through retro-commissioning, buildings become more sustainable and resilient.
Why is Retro-Commissioning Important?
Architecturally pleasing and valuable buildings are designed and built with intended energy-efficient use, performance, and comfort. Over time, these buildings lose their original levels of efficiency. Maintenance issues arise. Equipment performance degrades. Building codes and regulations change. Costs build up. Occupants experience discomfort. This is where the process of Retro-Commissioning can restore your building to an optimal level.
Architecturally pleasing and valuable buildings are designed and built with intended energy-efficient use, performance, and comfort. Over time, these buildings lose their original levels of efficiency. Maintenance issues arise. Equipment performance degrades. Building codes and regulations change. Costs build up. Occupants experience discomfort. This is where the process of Retro-Commissioning can restore your building to an optimal level.
Retro-Commissioning sheds light on issues like:
- Whether the building is currently performing as originally intended
- Any current building codes and regulations are not being met
- Any equipment failures occurring before the end of the expected operating life
- Inefficiencies indicating insufficient mechanical operation
- Ineffectiveness at providing occupant comfort
- Financial analysis of future equipment and replacement
- Schedule of capital outlays
Energy and operational savings follow the retro-commissioning process as the building achieves a condition where it can function at its highest level for its design.
Our Retro-Commissioning Process
DMA Engineering approaches this process holistically by evaluating the building’s design and determining its current level of function compared to achieving optimal energy savings. It entails a complete evaluation of a building through DMA Engineering’s certified commissioning expertise before equipment is specified or installed.
A commissioning consultant will catalog and document the control sequence of operations for the current plumbing, lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC). They’ll examine the building envelope, which is its ability to retain air and heat, and any other systems integral to the building’s function.
The resulting report tells the building’s story as it stands in its current form and provides insights into how it interacts with its original design. Retro-commissioning develops a life cycle analysis, strategic plan, design documents for construction and permitting for the building systems.
This report provides the building owner with action steps for immediate and future rollouts while managing risk over the coming decades. They can avoid last-minute hassles and costs when equipment breaks down. This allows the building owner to work proactively to identify outdated equipment for replacement with modern, energy-efficient alternatives.
Areas Served for Retro-Commissioning
Unlock energy savings and optimize building performance with our expert retro-commissioning services, tailored for areas such as:
- Colorado: Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood
- New Mexico: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho
- Montana: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls
- Wyoming: Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie
- Washington: Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma
Plus many more surrounding cities and towns near you.
Our seasoned professionals specialize in revitalizing existing structures, ensuring they operate at peak efficiency.
Retro-Commissioning Case Study Highlights
CPACE Case Study
This case study covers how Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) coupled with Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) can make buildings better members of society!
County Line
HVAC and Controls Upgrades with Commissioning
Project Description:
Two medical office buildings, an 80,000 square foot and a 40,000 square foot space, were long overdue for mechanical upgrades. The majority of the fan coils were performing less than optimal due to lack of maintenance, the heating and cooling plant were not optimized, and the ducting was not configured properly to the tenant spaces.
With limited drawings of the building, it was required that the buildings be surveyed after business hours and on weekends. Through site surveys, we developed a complete set of accurate architectural and mechanical drawings that we then used to re-engineer the entire building’s mechanical systems.
Our deliverable was a complete set of mechanical drawings that were used to get competitive bids and ultimately upgrade the system.
#2 Inverness
HVAC and Controls Upgrades with Commissioning
Project Description:
This 50,000 square foot office building, split equally into two levels, was built in the late ’70s and still had the original heating, cooling and ventilation equipment. The rooftop units were starting to have compressor failures and used a refrigerant that was being phased out of use. The building owners were looking at a significant capital outlay and determined that the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program would give them access to the capital needed to replace the rooftop units while also implementing additional energy conservation measures.
In addition to the required ASHRAE, Level III Energy Audit for C-PACE we participated with the building owners in deciphering five energy conservation measures that could be configured into multiple energy conservation scenarios. Our participation included producing a written report outlining the results of the energy audit, a preliminary budget, and a comprehensive payback analysis. The report contained charts and graphs breaking down the information into a readable and understandable format for non-industry building owners. We met with the owners, went through the report, and then assisted them in deciding on the energy conservation measures to be implemented.
860 Potomac
HVAC and Control Upgrades
Project Description:
DMA participated in a 100,000 square foot medical office building controls and HVAV upgrade. The deliverable was a report proposing three energy conservation measures. Based on capital expenditures and reduced operating costs, the client chose a measure that fit their needs and also achieved energy efficiency. The client was able to obtain CPACE financing to assist with the initial financial costs of this project.
DMA was able to provide the unique advantage of participating in a team environment working with a mechanical contractor and financial investment firm to determine the proper mix of expenditure and savings to create a viable end solution. This project entailed updating HVAC and control upgrades. Our cost estimates were vital for our clients selection process for selecting their final solution.
AAA Headquarters
HVAC and Controls Upgrade
Since its original construction in 1995, this building has undergone three additions. The original HVAC system was in desperate need of a replacement for quality assurance reasons.
DMA performed an energy analysis of the building and determined that the cooling load could be reduced from 40 tons to 30 tons. Through detailed design, we were able to design a new HVAC system using a split DX system (this allowed us to use outside air as the heat sink) alongside with a high-efficiency boiler system.
Key Benefits of Retro-Commissioning
Retro-Commissioning provides a structured process to assess a building’s performance against a design standard when it was first constructed. It also takes into account systems not performing as intended, having equipment failures before the end of their expected operating life, or providing poor occupant comfort.
The process assesses what level of design modification is required to achieve optimum energy savings. Keep in mind that code compliance involves achieving only the minimum standards while optimizing building performance involves getting the most out of your resources and maximizing your positive operational outcomes.
Benefits of Retro-Commissioning Include:
- Building owners see reduced energy consumption and operational expenditures (OpEx).
- Better equipment and performance facilitate lower maintenance costs.
- Indoor air quality and temperature comfort increase substantially.
- Accomplish upgrades for modern code compliance.
- Older buildings achieve a new level of resilience.
For More Information
At DMA Engineering, we have the experience and expertise it takes to bring old buildings up to new standards of modern sustainability and efficiency. To learn more, please contact us.