The document discusses retro-commissioning (RCx) of existing buildings to optimize building and systems performance. It describes RCx as a systematic process to ensure buildings meet current operational needs. The document outlines the RCx process, including discovery, testing, corrective actions, remedial design, and commissioning. It discusses common systems and issues addressed through RCx. Reasons for RCx include improving energy efficiency, productivity, and occupant comfort while reducing costs. The selection process and responsibilities of owners and consultants are also summarized.

1. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro Commissioning
for Building Optimization
CAPPA Technology Conference
2007
San Antonio, Texas
Jerry Bauers
National Director of Commissioning
Sebesta Blomberg Associates

2. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
RetroCommissioning
Retro-Commissioning (RCX) is the
systematic process by which the Owner
ensures that the building and systems are
optimized to perform interactively to meet
the current operational needs as closely as
possible. This may include remedial design
and construction to accomplish this goal.

3. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
RetroCommissioning
Systematic Process
Identify AND CORRECT ALL THE
PROBLEMS, Not The Symptoms!
Solutions Are Holistic In Nature
Maintenance Staff Training

4. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro-Commissioning
Retro-Commissioning
– Existing Buildings
– Contract between CX and Owner
– CX performs tests and documents results.
– May include:
Remedial Design
Remedial Construction
Commissioning of the Remedial Construction

5. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro-Commissioning
Systems Retro-Commissioned:
– HVAC
– Controls
– Electrical
– Elevators
– Plumbing
– Roofs
– Envelope

6. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro-Commissioning
RCx Issues
– Building Pressurization
– Temperature Control
– Humidity Control
– Schedule Configuration
– Calibration
– Electrical Connections
– Power Failure Response

7. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Why
Retro Commission?

8. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Reasons for Retro Cx
Fix the ‘Unfixable’
Improved Occupant
Productivity and Comfort
Improved Energy Efficiency

9. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Reasons for Retro Cx
Reduced Liability
Improved regulatory compliance
More Effective Building Operators

10. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Features And Benefits
Holistic Approach To Problems
Deals Directly with Issues, Not
Symptoms
Setup To Meet Current Operations
Staff Training
Occupant Relationships

11. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Features And Benefits
Facility Energy Efficiency $
– Average Savings Of 20%+
– NOT ALL PROJECTS RESULT IN $
SAVINGS
“Most Facilities Are Never Setup For Proper
Operation AND Fewer Are Ever Optimized!”

12. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Productivity Benefits
Improve occupant performance
– Estimated $29 – $168 billion in national productivity
losses per year 1
– Student performance is better in daylit schools. 2, 3
Reduce absenteeism and turnover
– Providing a healthy workplace improves employee
satisfaction
Increase retail sales with daylighting
– Studies have shown ~40% improvement 4

13. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Procurement of
Services/Selection

14. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Solicitation For Services
– Scope Of Work
– Qualifications
– Experience
– References
– Selection Criteria
– Approach
– Work Samples

15. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Scope Of Work
– Clearly Identify the Facility
– Facility Usage
– Motivation - Problems Experienced
– Goal Of Project
– Deliverables
– Schedule

16. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Special Conditions
– Off Hours
– Particular Days/Weekends
– Security Concerns
– Safety Issues
– Liabilities

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Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
SELECTION CRITERIA:
The submitted proposals will be reviewed and ranked
according to the following:
Key individual experience 25 points
Staff and consultant experience 10 points
Similar project experience 15 points
Team experience in related skill areas 15 points
Project management approach 10 points
Level of commissioning effort proposed 10 points
Work samples 10 points
Fee proposal 5 points
100 points

18. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Approach
– Logical
– Meets/Exceeds Project Intent
– Incorporates Special Conditions
– Practical
– Clearly Communicated
– Clear Team Member Responsibility For Each
Task

19. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Work Samples
– Clear Format
– Usable
– Practical Solutions

20. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Services/Selection
Schedule
– Practical
– Efficient Use Of Time
– Meets/Exceeds Special Conditions

21. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
RetroCommissioning
Process Matrix

22. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
• RCx Task Matrix
• RCx Responsibility Matrix

23. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Owner Responsibilities

24. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Retro Commissioning Plan
Interviews
(Make the following Personnel Available)
Owner / Occupant
Operations Staff
Project Team

25. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Documents For Retro Project
– Plans
– Specifications (if available)
– Submittals (if available)
– Energy Usage Records
– Maintenance Records

26. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Plans
– Many Times Not Available
– Facility May Have Been Modified
– “Near-Built’s”
– Are As-Built Plans Part Of the Project Scope?

27. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Energy Usage Records
– One Year Minimum
– LEED-EB Requirement
– Energy Star 60 Rating
– Energy Modeling
– Measurement & Verification

28. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Document Review
Maintenance Records
– Work Orders
– Maintenance Tasks
– One Year Minimum
– Comparison After Project

29. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Discovery
Site Inspection

30. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Discovery Site Inspections
Testing, Adjusting And Balancing
Quick Fixes
Documentation

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Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Corrective Actions During
‘Discovery’
Small quick fixes and adjustments are
included in the discovery costs
Provide detailed proposals with
associated costs and ROI for each
recommended corrective action
Proposals provided in shopping list format
with priorities clearly indicated

32. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Remedial Design
Corrective Action Phase
Commissioning

33. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Funding Sources

34. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Funding Sources
Self Funding
Government
Utility Programs
Energy Savings

35. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Dependent on
– Building
– Systems Included
– Extent of Effort Requested
– Owner Participation

36. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Experience: Office Building
– 1,500,000 sq.ft.
– VAV Heating/Cooling
– District Htg/Clg Source
– $0.21/sq ft – Discovery Phase

37. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Experience: Classroom Building
– 150,000 sq.ft.
– VAV Heating/Cooling (4 AHU’s)
– Campus Htg/Clg Source
– $0.58/sq ft – Discovery Phase

38. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Experience: Multi Tenant Office Bldg
– 600,000 sq.ft.
– VAV Heating/Cooling (4 AHU’s)
– Centrifugal Chiller Plant/Electric Heat
– $0.62/sq ft – Discovery Phase

39. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Scope of Work
– Baseline Performance Data
– Thorough Testing
– Quick Fixes
– Intermediate Performance Data
– Discovery Report

40. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Project Costs
Range– Discovery Phase
– Simple Buildings $0.25 TO $0.40 per sf
– Laboratories/Hospitals $0.40 to $1.00 per sf

41. SEBESTA BLOMBERG
Providing Technical & Business Solutions
Discussion