FAQ's

There is often a payback for commissioning services, but this can vary significantly between projects. The payback can be fast when the commissioning process identifies inefficiencies, such as excessively open outside air dampers, incorrect equipment scheduling, or incorrectly programmed lighting control systems.

Yes. Commissioning is a necessary process that can help identify any deficiencies in equipment installation. These deficiencies may include loose wires, equipment cycling too rapidly, or pumps and fans running faster than intended. While these issues may not cause failure in the first year of operation, they can increase the wear and tear on equipment, potentially leading to failure after the warranty period. Furthermore, they can speed up the rate at which equipment wears out, shortening its lifespan. The owner can ensure more reliable long-term equipment operation by addressing these deficiencies from the outset.

The commissioning process involves a third-party professional, the commissioning agent, who advocates for the owner. Although the general contractor and subcontractors play a crucial role in the commissioning process, they may need more specialized experience to verify the performance of complex integrated systems. Additionally, they may be motivated to complete the commissioning process as quickly as possible to move on to the next project. This can leave room for error and costly inefficiencies.

Retro-commissioning, also known as tuning, involves fully commissioning existing buildings and their systems to ensure they operate as designed. This process is frequently conducted to address maintenance problems, high utility expenses, and discomfort in current systems.

Retro-commissioning is generally conducted after a building has been in service for at least a year but may be conducted on any existing building, even if the occupancy is much longer than a year. In fact, older buildings may have the extra benefits and shorter payback from the retro-commissioning process as it can identify valves, dampers, or other components that may have failed or fallen out of calibration but have not been identified by the building’s maintenance staff.

Systems monitoring is a process that monitors and evaluates the performance of an existing building and provides recommendations to change its operation to improve utility costs, maintenance costs, and occupant satisfaction. We provide tuning recommendations, which are ranked based on the projected level of improvement they would provide.

Past results from tuning and systems monitoring include lowered utility costs, utility rebates, and improved occupant satisfaction.

Taking a proactive approach to managing your building involves tuning it to reconcile how it is designed to operate with how its occupants experience it. This process consists of resetting systems and identifying modifications that may be necessary over time to enhance your building’s performance and ensure the comfort and well-being of its occupants. This one-time service may seem costly, but it can result in long-term savings, as it is typically recouped within two years.