Unlocking Savings: How Retro-Commissioning Can Optimize Your Building Systems

Whether you are a business owner, facility manager, or energy manager, you may be looking to save money in your building’s operations. Retro-commissioning, often referred to as RCx, can save you money, as well as energy, and can even extend the life span of your equipment.

We discussed retro-commissioning with Mohanad Qomsiya, Engineering Manager at Energy Sciences, to explore when it is a good fit, why a facility may want to go through this process and the common system optimizations that it can include. According to Mohanad, retro-commissioning can be described as:

A systematic process that analyzes and optimizes the performance of existing building systems to improve their efficiency, operation, and overall performance. In our RCx projects we work closely with commercial and industrial businesses to discover and implement tailored, low-to-no-cost measures that align with the unique requirements of each building/facility.

The RCx process can help you get the most out of the equipment that you have instead of purchasing upgrades. In collaboration with your team, our experienced engineers assess your current operations and building controls and make energy-saving suggestions based on their findings. With those options and potential energy savings in hand, you can decide how you want to implement these changes. RCx is a scalable way to save energy with little to no capital investments.

What are the benefits of retro-commissioning?

Aside from energy and cost savings, there are many benefits to optimizing your building!

• System Performance Improvements
• Enhanced System Reliability
• Improved Indoor Air Quality
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Enhanced Occupant Comfort

When should you go through retro-commissioning?

There are many reasons to go through the RCx process. It is a great tool to pull out whether you are in a new space or want to improve an existing space. Here are common situations where you would want to receive an RCx assessment in your facility:

• Regularly Scheduled Optimization: Conduct RCx on a regular basis (every 2-3 years) to continuously optimize building performance, identify new opportunities for improvement, and maintain peak efficiency.
• Buildings with No Prior Commissioning: Buildings that have never undergone commissioning or RCx can benefit significantly from the process.
• Major Renovations: Conduct RCx after major renovations or upgrades to ensure systems are optimized and function correctly for the new use.
• Changes in Building Use: Perform RCx when there are significant changes in building use or occupancy to ensure systems are adapted to new requirements.
• After Major Equipment Replacements: After replacing major equipment RCx can help to ensure new equipment is integrated and optimized correctly.
• When Energy Consumption Increases: If energy consumption increases unexpectedly conduct a RCx study to identify and address underlying issues.
• Complaints from Occupants: Conduct RCx if occupants report issues with temperature, humidity, or air quality.
• Equipment Failure or Maintenance Issues: If equipment failure or maintenance issues occur frequently, an RCx assessment can uncover any issues and identify potential solutions.

What system optimizations are commonly suggested through retro-commissioning?

Optimization suggestions will depend on your business type and what processes occur in your building. Below are some of the most common systems that can be explored to ensure you are getting the most comprehensive recommendations for your needs.

Common system optimizations:

• HVAC
• Lighting
• Building Automation System (BAS)
• Chilled Water
• Boiler
• Industrial Process (e.g. Process heating and cooling, Refrigeration, and other industrial processes)
• Industrial Systems (e.g. Compressed Air, Steam Traps, and other industrial systems)

Start the discussion about retro-commissioning your facility today! We will work closely with your team to create a plan that work for you. Click here to reach out and started!