Presented by: Lyn Gomes and Tracey A. Whaley

1. Saving the
Environment
One Building at a time
Lyn Gomes, P.E., LEED AP, CLCATT, kW Engineering
Tracey A. Whaley, P.E., F.P.E, Ambient Energy

2. Introductions…
• Lyn Gomes, P.E., LEED AP
• Commissioning Authority/Agent
• Triple Talent: design, construction, startup
• I love pastries and pickles
• kW Engineering
• Energy engineering – efficiency & renewables
• Oakland, Long Beach, Chicago, Salt Lake City
• We walk the talk: our HQ building is LEED®
Gold certified with Energy Star = 100
• Tracey A. Whaley, P.E., F.P.E, CxAP
• BS Architectural Engineering, Kanas State
University
• Licensed in mechanical and fire protection
engineering
• Ambient Energy
• Commissioning Team Leader
• Provide New Building Commissioning, Retro-
Commissioning and Re-Commissioning
• Our office is LEED – CI Certified Gold

3. What we’ll cover
• Buildings use energy?!
• Building Commissioning:
• What’s that?
• Why should I care?
• Auditing:
• What is it?
• How does it save energy?
• What it takes
• Commissioning Provider
• Energy Engineer (Energy Auditor)

4. Building Energy Use
• Half of all the energy consumed in the U.S. is due to the
operations of the buildings we live and work in.
• HVAC, Lighting, Refrigeration, and Water Heating account for
2/3rds of that all energy used in buildings.

5. Building Systems Commissioning
• A quality-focused process for enhancing
the delivery of a project.
• Ensures building meets the Owner’s
Project Requirements.
• Planning Design Operation Maintenance
• “It is a risk-management strategy that
should be integral to any systematic
approach to garnering energy savings or
emissions reductions.” – Evan Mills, PhD, LBNL

6. Does this look familiar?
We don’t know what it is.
This is what Cx helps to avoid.

7. Cx: Good for Environment and Wallet
• Energy - CO2 emissions
• Commissioning is arguably the
single-most cost-effective
strategy for reducing energy,
costs, and greenhouse-gas
emissions in buildings today.
• New Buildings:
• 13 % median energy savings
• 4.2 year payback
• Existing Buildings
• 16% median energy savings
• 1.1 year payback
Source: California Energy Commission Study, Mills, Evan, PhD, “Building Commissioning: A Golden Opportunity for
Reducing Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” (2009) http://cx.lbl.gov/2009-assessment.html

8. Energy Audits and Retrocommissioning
“Well there’s your problem”

9. Retro-Commissioning (RCx)
• Cx for existing buildings
• 80% building stock
• 86% construction
spending
• Trend review
• Logic
• Setpoints
• Maintenance
• 2030 savings:
• $30B
• 340MTons CO2

10. Retro-Cx is a growing field
• Currently $200
million per year
• $4 billion per year
potential
• 1,500 to 25,000
F.T.E. workers
needed
• Bold, but realistic
- Evan Mills, PhD, LBNL

11. Energy Audits
• Focus:
Equipment/Systems
• Inspection
• Mechanical
equipment
• Control systems
• Lighting
• Water too!
• Analysis
• Crunch those numbers!

12. Good auditing must consider
human factors
• Team building is key to audit
implementation success
• Seek involvement with key players at site
• Let folks do what they’re good at
• Leave site staff with the knowledge to follow
through
• Don’t believe everything you hear
• Site inspections with staff can be misleading
• Auditor questions may be threatening

13. Lyn and Tracey’s Path to Cx
• Lyn
• BS Mechanical
Engineer
• HVAC Design
• LEED AP, PE
• Construction
• Startup OMs
(wastewater)
• UCBerkeley
Extension Course
• CLCATT
• Tracey
• BS Architectural
Engineer
• Electrical
mechanical design
• PE
• Mechanical
• Fire Protection
• Cx for military facilities
• U of Wisconsin
coursework

14. Architectural Engineering Programs in US
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• University of Colorado at Boulder
• Drexel University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Kansas State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• The University of Kansas
• University of Miami
• Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Missouri University of Science and Technology
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• Oklahoma State University
• Tennessee State University
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Wyoming

15. Energy Auditing Career Path
• ME or CEE or EE or Arch E
• BS minimum
• MS beneficial but not required
• Industrial Assessment Centers (DOE-funded)
15
• SFSU, SDSU, OSU, Colorado State, Boise State
• http://energy.gov/eere/amo/locations-industrial-assessment-centers
• Stanford MS CEE
• Sustainable Design/Construction or Atmosphere/Energy
• Get an internship
• Work for an “Energy Engineering” Firm
• Find role model(s) or mentor(s)
• Professional societies: ASHRAE, AEE, BCA

16. Engineers save the world
…with buildings that use
less energy or no energy!
(Net Zero buildings)
…with buildings that use less
water!
…by decreasing our carbon
footprint.

17. Thank you!
• Lyn Gomes
• lgomes@kw-engineering.com
• (510) 843-6420
• Tracey Whaley, P.E., F.P.E.
• tracey@ambient-e.com
• (303) 278-1532 x 214

18. • End of presentation

19. Thank You
• Questions?
Tracey A. Whaley, P.E., F.P.E.
Hanson Professional Services, Inc.
twhaley@hanson-inc.com

20. Why Save Energy in Buildings?
• Buildings consume
• 40% of our energy(1)
• 12-20% of our
water (our largest
user) (2)
• Energy - CO2
emissions
• Water is a precious
resource
• Because it works
20
1. USGBC via http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/projects/
2. USGBC, EPA

21. Who can do Cx?
Recommend Design Professionals perform Building
Commissioning
Why?
Design Professionals understand the design process and intent
that may be more complex than traditional systems.
Why can’t the engineer monitor the installation of their design?
The Cx Authority looks for different things than the engineer. We
are the Owner’s Advocate. We have ‘no skin in the game’. So, we
can give the Owner our unbiased opinion regarding the project.
We ask if a change in the project is consistent with the
Owner’s Project Requirements or Design Intent.

22. Building Systems Commissioning
According to Evan Mills, PhD, LBNL:
• Commissioning is more than “just another pretty energy
saving measure.”
• It is a risk-management strategy that should be integral to any
systematic approach to garnering energy savings or emissions
reductions.
• Ensures that a building owners get what they pay for when
constructing or retrofitting buildings
• Provides insurance for policymakers and program managers that
their initiatives actually meet targets
• Detects and corrects problems that would eventually surface as
far more costly maintenance or safety issues.

23. How much does Cx Cost?
• Commissioning is an underutilized strategy for saving energy and
money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while managing related
risks.
• Reasons for this underutilization:
• widespread lack of awareness of need and value on the part of prospective
customers
• insufficient professionalism within the trades
• splintered activities and competition among a growing number of trade
• groups and certification programs
• misperception that it is not cost-effective in smaller buildings
• the absence of commissioning-like requirements in most building codes
• omission or obfuscation of the strategy in most energy-efficiency potentials
studies.
• tension between standardization and recognition that each building is
• unique and must be approached with an open mind
Evan Mills, PhD, LBNL

24. Building Systems Commissioning
US Green Building Council’s
Leadership in Energy
Environmental Design TM
A system for designing, constructing, operating
and certifying the world’s greenest buildings.
PR 1 Pre-requisite Commissioning
EA Cr 1 Enhanced Commissioning

25. Why Implement Building Commissioning?
• Failure of traditional methods to provide
an acceptable product.
• Building doesn’t meet User’s
expectations.
• Excessive change orders.
• Reduce problems and complaints at
completion.
• Building OM personnel don’t understand
their building.
• High utility bills

26. Commissioning Savings
The ‘Bottom Line”
• Energy Savings – Offices
$0.10 - $0.40 / sq. ft./year
• Energy savings – Tech. Manufacturing
$0.15 - $0.75 / sq. ft./year
• Comfort and Productivity
$150 / sq. ft./year payroll costs
$0.10/ sq. ft./year lost to complaint time

27. A/E Coursework
• Coursework varies by University (programs 4-5 years for
BS or MS)
• ABET Accreditation is Required!!!!
• Attend University out of state? Check for credit transfer
• Become LEED Accredited Professional (USGBC)

28. A/E is unusual field….How do I get a job?
• Take advanced/specialize courses in your area of interest.
• Structural
• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Lighting
• Green Building/Energy Analysis
• Etc.
• Learn about Building Codes in the area you will work
• Florida Building Code
• National Electrical Code
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

29. Existing Buildings (more than 5 years old)
• Maintain the existing building systems.
• ASHRAE Standard 180-2008 - Standard
Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of
Commercial Building HVAC Systems
• Use Standards:
• ASHRAE Standard 100 Energy Conservation in
Existing Buildings (establishes the guidelines
for the energy audit process)

30. A/E Professional
• MUST be willing to get Professional Engineer License for most
careers
• Sign and Seal Construction Documents is required for
commercial construction
• Earn more $$$$
• National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying:
NCEES
• Requirements for Licensure are different in each state.
Generally your college must be ABET accredited.
• Pass Fundamentals of Engineering Exam in final year of
college
• After 4-5 years of experience take Principles and Practice
Exam (PE)
• PE Exam is given in 23 formats.
• Since Spring 2003 NCEES has offered the Architectural Exam
• Continuing Education is required by most State Licensing
Boards

31. New Buildings (less than 5 years old)
• Small percent of the ‘stock’ of buildings in the U.S.
• 2% of Building projects are New Construction
• Use standards
• ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides (free) Hotels, K-12 Schools, Retail,
Small Office Buidings.
• ASHRAE Standard 90.1 – establishes the base line energy performance of
buildings.
• ASHRAE Standard189.1 and USGBC LEED – establishes criteria for
sustainability and ‘Green’ buildings.
• ASHRAE Guideline 0 – 2005, The Commissioning Process
• ASHRAE Standard 180-2008 - Standard Practice for Inspection and
Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems
• Model the building to determine the most energy efficient system to be
used.
• Software programs such as E-quest and others
• Work with the architect to determine that the envelope or shell of the
building is ‘tight’ and has proper insulation and quality low-e windows.
• HVAC system is only as good as the envelope of the building it serves.

32. What we’ll cover
• Creating the Built Environment
• Why save energy in buildings?
• Commissioning (Cx)
• What is it?
• Who, Why, and When?
• How do you get to do it?
• Energy Audits
• Why do we audit?
• What do we audit?
• Audits have Levels
• How do you get to do it?
32

33. What’s in a Building
• HVAC
• Lighting
• Controls
• Envelope
• PV
• Backup power
• Compressed air…
33

34. Life of a Building
Planning (1 yr) Design (1 year) Construction (1-2 years)
Commissioning
Creation Operation (30-50 years)
34
Audits, RetroCommissioning (RCx),
ReCommissioning
(Cx)

35. Creating a building
People Documents
• Owner
• Commissioning
Agent (CxA)
• Design Team
• Architect
• Engineers
• Construction team
• General Contractor
• Subcontractors
Owner’s Project
Requirements
• Basis of Design
• Contract Documents
• Plans (drawings)
• Specifications (specs)
• Submittals (product
information)
• As-Builts
• Systems Manual
35

36. Operating a building
People Documents
• Owner
• Building Engineer
• Tenant
• Commissioning
Agent (CxA)
• Energy Auditor
• OPR
• Drawings
• Sequences of
Operation
• OM Manuals
• (Systems Manual)
• (Specs)
36

37. Combine the next two slides into 1
37

38. 38 Commissioning (Cx)

39. Cx: What is it?
• Commissioning is a process to ensure the
building performs as intended and to the
Owner’s expectations
• Part of Codes:
• LEED
• Title 24
• ASHRAE 90.1
• Ensures energy savings
are realized
• Critical to Net-zero goal
• Makes sure people are as
comfortable as possible
V =V +K e + K ∫ e × dt o p i
2/26/2011
39 SWE Region A
Conference

40. Process: Planning and Design
• Review Owner’s Project
Requirements (OPR)
• Ideally help develop it as well
• Review engineer’s Basis of
Design (BOD)
• Review specs and drawings for
• commissionability of systems
• compliance with BOD, OPR
Create and implement Cx Plan
40

41. Process: Construction and beyond
Review submittals
• Test energy-using/
producing
systems
• HVAC
• Lighting/lighting controls
• Renewable energy
• Domestic hot water
• Building Control System
• Systems Manual for
the Building Engineer
• Training
• Post-occupancy review
41

42. Who Does it?
42
• Team based,
collaborative
process
• Owner
• Design Team
• Architect
• ME
• EE
• Commissioning Agent
(CxA)
• Contractors
• GC
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Controls

43. Why do we do it?
• Fundamentally: verify that the facility
satisfies the Owner’s functional needs.
• Reduced callbacks
• Happier Owners
• Reduced energy use
• Lower operating costs – Good ROI
• Improved occupant comfort and productivity
• Enhanced marketability and value of property
• Accountability by project team
• Reduced risk of exposure for project team
43

44. When is Cx required?
• Energy savings or Mission Critical
• LEED
• EA Prereq 1: Fundamental Cx
• EA Credit 3: Enhanced Cx
• Title 24/CalGreen
• LEED Fundamental Plus
• Strong requirements for Lighting
• ASHRAE 0, 90.1
• 0: Cx
• 90.1: Energy standard (baseline for many
states)
44

45. When does commissioning take place?
• Predesign
• Owner’s Project
Requirements (OPR)
• Design
• Review
• Will it work IRL?
• Stable control?
• Persistence?
• Construction
• Startup, tuning
• Testing
Construction
Design 45 Predesign 2/26/2011 SWE Region A
Conference

46. Once It’s Built
• Persistent energy
savings
• Occupancy surveys
• Recommissioning
• Retesting a building
that’s been
commissioned
• Retrocommissioning
• Commissioning a
building that’s never
been commissioned
46 Creation Operation (30-50 years)

47. RCx: Trend Review
• When to use:
• Building is already
occupied
• Verify equipment is
controlled smoothly
• “Loops are tuned”
• System is stable
• Rogue zones
• Determine whether
demand based resets
are working
47

48. Impacts
• Older buildings weren’t built to current standards but they
make up the majority of the U.S. building stock; 75%-
80% of all buildings that will exist in 2030 exist
today; 86% of construction dollars go to existing
buildings.
• Retro-Commissioning has the potential to save $30
billion by the year 2030, which corresponds to an
annual greenhouse gas emissions of 340 megatons of
CO2 each year. (Evan Mills, PhD, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

49. Why Retro-Cx or Energy Audit?
• Energy Efficiency is complex
• Good energy projects
depend on particulars
• Your building(s)
• Systems
• Operations
• Occupants
• Climate
• Other projects
• It’s all in the details
• LEED Credits
• Energy Star

50. Career Path
• ME or EE or ArchE or CE
• EIT
• Work in design
• Envelope
• HVAC
• Lighting
• Controls
• PE license
• Work in construction
• Coordination, startup,
controls
• ACP, CCP, BMCP
• LEED AP
• CLCTT-AT
• CEM
50

51. Resources
• PECI: peci.org
• Pacific Energy Center: www.pge.com/pec/
• Commissioning guides for new and existing
buildings:
http://www.cacx.org/resources/commissioni
ng-guides.html
• Retrocommissioning:
http://www.energy.wsu.edu/Documents/
BuildingCommissioning.pdf
• Lighting Commissioning:
http://goo.gl/YNFWuH (Part 1)
http://goo.gl/sGJ9YN (Part 2)
51

52. 52 Energy Audits

53. LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations Maintenance Project Name
Project Checklist Date
© 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.
LEED EBOM Credits
Possible Points: 26
Sustainable Sites
Y ? N Y ? N
Credit 1 LEED Certified Design and Construction
4 Credit 6 1
Credit 2 Building Exterior and Hardscape Management Plan
1 Credit 7 1
Credit 3 Integrated Pest Mgmt, Erosion Control, and Landscape Mgmt Plan
1 Credit 8 Solid Waste Management—Durable Goods 1
Credit 4 Alternative Commuting Transportation
3 to 15 Credit 9 Solid Waste Management—Facility Alterations and Additions 1
Credit 5 Site Development—Protect or Restore Open Habitat
1
Credit 6 1 Possible Points: 15
Credit 7.1 1
Credit 7.2 1 Y Prereq 1
Credit 8 1 Y Prereq 2
Stormwater Quantity Control
Heat Island Reduction—Non-Roof
Heat Island Reduction—Roof
Light Pollution Reduction
Indoor Environmental Quality
• Energy efficiency can get you
~half way to LEED
Y Prereq 3
certification
Minimum IAQ Performance
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control
Possible Points: 14 Credit 1.1 IAQ Best Mgmt Practices—IAQ Management Program 1
Credit 1.2
IAQ Best Mgmt Practices—Outdoor Air
Delivery Monitoring
Additional Indoor Plumbing Fixture and Fitting Efficiency
Water Efficient Landscaping
Cooling Tower Water Management
• Energy credits are the only
ones with a payback!
1
Y Prereq 1 Credit 1.3 IAQ Best Mgmt Practices—Increased Ventilation 1
Credit 1 1 to 2 Credit 1.4 IAQ Best Mgmt Practices—Reduce Particulates in Air Distribution 1
Credit 2 1 to 5 Credit 1.5 IAQ Mgmt Plan—IAQ Mgmt for Facility Alterations and Additions 1
Credit 3 1 to 5 Credit 2.1 Occupant Comfort—Occupant Survey 1
Credit 4 1 to 2 Credit 2.2 Controllability of Systems—Lighting 1
Credit 2.3 Occupant Comfort—Thermal Comfort Monitoring 1
Possible Points: 35 Credit 2.4 Daylight and Views 1
Credit 3.1 Green Cleaning—High Performance Cleaning Program 1
Y Prereq 1 Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices Credit 3.2 Green Cleaning—Custodial Effectiveness Assessment 1
Y Prereq 2 Credit 3.3 Green Cleaning—Sustainable Cleaning Products, Materials Purchases 1
Y Prereq 3 Credit 3.4 Green Cleaning—Sustainable Cleaning Equipment 1
Credit 1 1 to 18 Credit 3.5 Green Cleaning—Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control 1
Credit 2.1 2 Credit 3.6 Green Cleaning—Indoor Integrated Pest Management 1
Credit 2.2 2
Credit 2.3 2 Possible Points: 6
Credit 3.1 1
Credit 3.2 1 to 2 Credit 1.1 1
Credit 4 1 to 6 Credit 1.2 1
Credit 5 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 1 Credit 1.3 1
Credit 6 Emissions Reduction Reporting 1 Credit 1.4 1
Credit 2 1
Optimize Energy Efficiency Performance
Existing Building Commissioning—Investigation and Analysis
Possible Points: 10 Credit 3 1
Y Prereq 1 Possible Points: 4
Y Prereq 2
Credit 1 Sustainable Purchasing—Ongoing Consumables
1 Credit 1.1 1
Credit 2.1 1 Credit 1.2 1
Credit 2.2 1 Credit 1.3 1
Credit 3 1 Credit 1.4 1
Credit 4 1
Credit 5 1 Possible Points: 110
Innovation in Operations: Specific Title
Innovation in Operations: Specific Title
Regional Priority: Specific Credit
Fundamental Refrigerant Management
Documenting Sustainable Building Cost Impacts
On-site and Off-site Renewable Energy
Sustainable Purchasing Policy Regional Priority Credits
Total
Sustainable Purchasing—Electric-Powered Equipment
Sustainable Purchasing—Furniture
Sustainable Purchasing—Facility Alterations and Additions
Regional Priority: Specific Credit
Regional Priority: Specific Credit
Regional Priority: Specific Credit
Sustainable Purchasing—Reduced Mercury in Lamps
Sustainable Purchasing—Food
Materials and Resources, Continued
Solid Waste Management—Waste Stream Audit
Solid Waste Management—Ongoing Consumables
Water Efficiency
Performance Measurement—System-Level Metering
Materials and Resources
Green Cleaning Policy
Minimum Indoor Plumbing Fixture and Fitting Efficiency
Water Performance Measurement
Innovation in Operations: Specific Title
Innovation in Operations: Specific Title
Performance Measurement—Building Automation System
LEED Accredited Professional
Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance
Certified 40 to 49 points Silver 50 to 59 points Gold 60 to 79 points Platinum 80 to 110
Energy and Atmosphere
Innovation in Operations
Existing Building Commissioning—Implementation
Existing Building Commissioning—Ongoing Commissioning
Solid Waste Management Policy
WWEE
EEAA
IIEEQQ

54. © 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.
LEED EBOM Credits
Energy Star performance: Minimum 69
Up to 18 points for a 95+ Energy Star score
Possible Points: 35
Energy and Atmosphere
Y Prereq 1 Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices
Y Prereq 2
Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance
Y Prereq 3
Fundamental Refrigerant Management
Credit 1 Optimize Energy Efficiency Performance
1 to 18
Credit 2.1 Existing Building Commissioning—Investigation and Analysis
2
Credit 2.2 Existing Building Commissioning—Implementation
2
Credit 2.3 Existing Building Commissioning—Ongoing Commissioning
2
Credit 3.1 Performance Measurement—Building Automation System
1
Credit 3.2 Performance Measurement—System-Level Metering
1 to 2
Credit 4 On-site and Off-site Renewable Energy
1 to 6
Credit 5 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 1
Credit 6 Emissions Reduction Reporting 1

55. LEED Water Efficiency Credits
Credit Description Available
Points
TKW
WE Prerequisite 1
Indoor Plumbing Fixture Efficiency
0 0
WE Credit 1*
Water Performance Measurement
2 -
WE Credit 2*
Additional Indoor Plumbing Fixture
Efficiency
5 5 + 1
WE Credit 3
Water Efficient Landscaping
5 -
WE Credit 4*
Cooling Tower Water Management
2 -
*Additional points available

56. What do we audit?
• Anything that costs $
• Energy-using systems
• HVAC
• Lighting
• Processes
• Water-using systems
• Processes
• Cooling towers
• Irrigation systems
• Domestic water
56

57. Audit Levels
• How deep do you need to go?
• ASHRAE Audit Levels
• Level 1 – Walk-through / Scoping
• Level 2 – Standard Audit w/ Analysis
• Level 3 – Detailed Analysis (Capital)
• Each level builds on the level
before
• Alternates:
• Targeted audits
• Retro-commissioning
www.ashrae.org/bookstore
www.kw-engineering.com/audits
© 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.

58. Preliminary
Energy Use
Analysis
• Analyze current use
• Benchmark
Level 1: Walk-through /
Scoping
• Identify Potential Projects
• Only Rough Cost Savings Estimates
Level 2: Energy Survey
Analysis
• End-use Breakdown
• Detailed Analysis
• Cost Savings for Recommended Measures
Level 3: Detailed Survey
Analysis
• Refined Analysis
• Additional Measurements
• Building Model Simulations
© 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.

59. Water Savings
• Check for leaks
• Install high
efficiency aerators
• Save energy
• Water plants
toward the end of
the day
• Buy more efficient
water appliances
• Take shorter
showers
59

60. Energy Auditing Team
• Trained and experienced energy auditor
• Committed management
• Engaged financial staff who
understand risks and rewards
• Trained building engineers
• Trusted contractors and vendors
• Utility account representatives
• Engaged and informed building occupants
© 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.

61. Energy Auditor Certifications
• In-college
• EIT
• Post-college [none are be-all end-all ]
• P.E. (Professional Engineer)
• BEAP (ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment
Professional)
• CEM (AEE Certified Energy Manager)
• EBCP, CBCP (AEE Existing/Certified Building
Commissioning Professionals)
© 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.

62. To be good in your job…
• Auditing is a focus
• Multi-disciplinary knowledge
• Lighting, HVAC, controls, refrigeration,
behavior, envelope, data centers,
kitchens…
• Integrated approach
• Familiar with the latest best
practices
• Including newer technologies
• But not trying to push them
© 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.

63. Resources
• How to Hire an Energy Auditor
• (California Energy Commission, 2000)
• www.energy.ca.gov/reports/efficiency_handbooks
/400-00-001C.PDF
• A Guide to Energy Audits
• (DOE/Pacific Northwest National Lab, 2011)
• www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technic
al_reports/pnnl-20956.pdf
• U.S. Department of Energy: Energy
Efficiency Renewable Energy
• (extensive information on energy efficiency in
buildings)
• www.eere.energy.gov/topics/buildings.html
© 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.

64. © 2013 kW Engineering, Inc.

65. Impact of Commissioning
• Nursing facility has back
up systems but occupants
don’t know how to
operate them.
• Staff use buckets to
transfer water to the
facility for critical
operation.
• Water system pump had
never been started. Staff
did not know the purpose
of the pump in the
system.
• This building was not
commissioned. If it had,
the staff would have been
trained to know how to
use the domestic water
pump system.

66. Impact of Commissioning
• Lake County, Florida – Central Utility Plant
• Oversized chiller and Boiler replaced with ‘pony’ chiller and boiler
• Sizes matched interim load and permitted much more efficient operation – min.
first cost savings, operating savings $15,000 / yr.
• North Carolina Central University - School of Nursing
• Used design checks to determine equipment oversized with multiple, redundant
units. Deleted one chiller, one tower cell, two pumps and the size of three AHUs
• Estimated energy savings $10,000 yr.

67. What can we do to reduce energy use?
According to Evan Mills, PhD, LBNL:
Commissioning is arguably the single-most cost-effective
strategy for reducing energy, costs, and
greenhouse-gas emissions in buildings today.
• Energy savings tend to persist well over at least a 3- to 5-year
timeframe, but data over longer time horizons are not available.
• Median commissioning costs: $0.30/ft2 and $1.16/ft2 for
existing buildings and new construction, respectively (and 0.4%
of total construction costs for new buildings).
• Median whole-building energy savings: 16% and 13%.
• Median payback times:1.1 and 4.2 years.
• Median benefit-cost ratios: 4.5 and 1.1, cash-on-cash returns of
91% and 23%.

68. Benefits of Building Systems Commissioning
• Ensure Compliance with Design Intent and
Owner’s Operational Needs
• Early detection of potential problems
• Establish protocol for issues resolution
• Reduce change orders, claims and Contractor
call backs
• Better building documentation
• Shortened occupancy transition period
• = Increase Value for the Owner!

69. Why should we care about buildings at all?
Building energy consumption:
• Represent over 72 percent of all electrical power
generation, 55 percent of natural gas
consumption
• Responsible for more than 1/3 of our total
carbon dioxide emissions
Gordon Holness, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, 2009-10 ASHRAE President

70. What is HVAC? Why is it important?
• HVAC: Heating, Ventilating and Air
Conditioning.
• HVAC (or Mechanical) Engineers design
the indoor environmental systems for the
buildings we work, play, and live in.
• Why is HVAC important?
• Americans spend 90% of their time
indoors. (source: EPA)
• Indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5
times higher than outdoor levels. (source: EPA)

71. Factors affecting HVAC System Efficiency

72. What can we do to reduce energy use?
• Install energy efficient HVAC Systems
and plumbing systems in our homes and
offices.
• Properly maintain these systems.
• Properly operate these systems.
• Implement the Commissioning Process.