Energy Efficiency MeasuresBUILDING COMMISSIONINGCommissioning a building, either when new or after a major retrofit, is the process of testing all elements of a building’s energy and mechanical systems to ensure that they are adjusted properly and functioning optimally. Suppliers of services and equipment should be tasked with providing commissioning services as a condition of the purchase agreements. One important element of the commissioning process is to ensure that the building’s maintenance staff is fully trained to understand, test, and maintain the equipment, including the consequences of interaction between systems. Continuous commissioning is a maintenance function through which all critical elements of a building’s energy and mechanical systems are routinely monitored for proper adjustment and functioning. The idea is to enhance preventative maintenance chores and solve difficulties before they become real problems. Key elements of a successful continuous commissioning process are the output of the energy management system, regularly inspected energy bills, and a knowledgeable and dedicated maintenance staff. For additional information, visit energysystems.tamu.edu/programs/continuous.htm. The Energy Systems Laboratory at Texas A&M University, which coined the term “continuous commissioning,” has been involved in continuous commissioning projects in Texas that now save well over $20 million per year. Paybacks from such projects are routinely less than three years; many are shorter even than that. According to the National Strategy for Building Commissioning, a thorough commissioning process will confirm that building systems and equipment are operating properly, allowing the owner to realize the benefits of:
You can learn more at www.peci.org/library/PECI_NatlStratBldgCx_2004.pdf. Also see discussions and references on the web site of E Cube, Inc., a Colorado company that specializes in building commissioning and which works directly with owners, engineers, and Energy Service Companies; www.ecube.com/commissioning.php. |
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