Retro-commissioning is an energy efficiency process that optimizes the performance of existing buildings. It identifies operational and maintenance issues and implements upgrades to reduce costs and maximize equipment life. The retro-commissioning process involves four phases - planning, investigation, implementation, and turn over. It establishes a commissioning team to review documentation, assess facility performance, and prioritize improvements. Studies show retro-commissioning typically costs $0.30 per square foot with an average payback period of 13 months in reduced energy and operating expenses.

1. Retro-Commissioning
Retro-Commissioning the Trend in
Energy Efficiency
Presented By:
Jasmine Engineering

2. Presentation Overview
 History of Commissioning
 Types of Commissioning
 Retro-Commissioning Benefits
 The Retro-Commissioning Process
 Maintaining Retro-Commissioning Benefits
 Questions / Contact Info

3. History of Commissioning
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
ASHRAE begins receiving Owner performance
complaints

4. History of Commissioning
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
1982 ASHRAE develops formal guidelines for
commissioning
1984 University of Wisconsin (Madison) rolls-out
commissioning courses
1989 ASHRAE publishes HVAC Commissioning
Guideline

5. History of Commissioning
1980s
1970s
1990s
1980s
1994 Presidential Executive Order 12902 requires
1996 ASHRAE publishes Guideline 1-1996
Process
2000s
1990s
2000s
commissioning for federal agencies
The HVAC Commissioning

6. History of Commissioning
1980s
1970s
1990s
1980s
2004
USGBC requires Retro-Commissioning to
certify a LEED®-EBOM building
2005
ASHRAE publishes Guideline 0-2005
The Commissioning Process
2008
BCA issues Retro-Commissioning Best Practices
2009
NEBB publishes Retro-Commissioning Standard
ASHRAE administered the first Commissioning
certification exam CPMP
2000s
1990s
2000s

7. Types of Commissioning
Commissioning
(New Building)
Quality Assurance Process that ensures the
planning, construction & maintenance is performed
according to the Owner’s Project Requirements
Re-Commissioning
(Previously Commissioned Building)
Retro-Commissioning
(1st Time for Existing Building)

8. Retro-Commissioning Benefits
Owner
 Reduces Operating costs
 Reduces Operations & Maintenance costs
 Reduces liability risk of sick building syndrome
 Resolves deficiencies that occurred during construction
 Maximizes life of equipment
 Increases occupant productivity
 Enhances property values

9. Retro-Commissioning Benefits
O&M Staff
 Maintain properly operating equipment & systems
 Utilize properly operating control system
 Reduces equipment/component failure
 Provides a benchmark for future systems evaluation
 Improved building documentation
 Reduction of occupant complaints

10. Retro-Commissioning Benefits
Occupants
 Enhanced comfort
 Humidity
 Hot/cold
 Balanced air
 Outside air
 Enhanced indoor air quality
 Content employees
 Increased comfort

11. Candidates for
Retro-Commissioning
 Poor equipment and control systems integration
 Energy Star Rating below 70
 High energy use
 High building infiltration
 Excessive equipment failure
 Frequent occupant complaints
 System performance does not comply with OPR

12. Retro-Commissioning Process
Four Phases
Phase 1
Planning
Phase 2
Investigation
Phase 3
Implementation
Phase 4
Turn Over

13. Phase 1: Planning
 Identify known deficiencies
 Develop OPR
 Collect building documentation
 Develop Retro-Commissioning Plan
 Assemble Commissioning Team

14. The Retro-Commissioning Team
Owner’s Point
of Contact
Design
Professionals
O&M Staff
Commissioning
Authority
Testing &
Balancing
Contractor
Control
Contractor
Utility Provider
MEP Contractors

15. Phase 2: Investigation
Review facility documentation
 Energy usage
 Drawings
 Sequence of operation
 Test & Balance reports
 O&M manuals

16. Phase 2: Investigation
Conduct facility assessment
 Equipment
 Ductwork, piping and other components
 Energy Management System

17. Phase 2: Investigation
Identify improvement options
 Simple & easy resolutions
 More complex resolutions
 Capital improvements
Develop Investigation Report

18. Phase 3: Implementation
 Prioritize Upgrades
 Develop Budget
 Finalize Implementation Plan
 Implement improvements & upgrades
 Functional Performance Testing

19. Phase 4: Turn Over
 Develop Retro-Commissioning Report
 Compile Systems Manual
 Develop Re-Commissioning Plan
 Conduct O&M staff training
 Conduct close-out meeting

20. Maintaining
Retro-Commissioning Benefits
 Implement Re-Commissioning Procedures
 Perform maintenance tasks
 Continuous O&M Staff training
 Monitor system/equipment performance
 Monitor indoor air quality & thermal comfort

21. Retro-Commissioning Costs
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a
U.S. Department of Energy lab, is partnering
with the Portland Energy Conservation Inc.

22. Retro-Commissioning Costs
How can you reduce energy and operating costs?
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 2004 study
 Average cost $0.30/sq ft
 13-month payback

23. Questions
Jasmine Engineering
San Antonio Office
115 E Travis, Suite 1020
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 227-3000
Austin Office
100 Congress, Suite 2000
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 326-2900
www.jasmineengineering.com