Improving Building Performance with Retro-Commissioning
Retro-Commissioning or re-commissioning (RCx) is a cost effective means to improve the performance of existing buildings with the goal of reducing energy use and peak demand, improving system performance, improving occupant comfort, and reducing maintenance issues and costs. RCx involves a review of the building’s systems and their operation (a “building tune-up”) that identifies problems due to system operation deficiencies or design flaws that occurred during the original construction and also identifies problems that have developed during the building’s existence. Typical energy efficiency measures identified during the RCx process focus on improving the control of existing equipment or correcting hardware and sensor malfunctions.
These types of measures typically provide a payback between six months to two years and often result in savings between 5% and 20% of total energy costs.
Although not the primary focus of RCx, more capital intensive recommendations such as equipment and control system upgrades can be identified through the RCx process.
These types of measures typically provide a payback between six months to two years and often result in savings between 5% and 20% of total energy costs.
Although not the primary focus of RCx, more capital intensive recommendations such as equipment and control system upgrades can be identified through the RCx process.
Customized Retro-Commissioning From Experienced Energy Engineers
Bolder Energy is thoroughly experienced in the RCx process with our staff having completed many RCx projects. The exact RCx profile of services can be customized to fit individual client needs and can be adjusted based on energy saving goals, facility resources, and funding. As an example, if a client is more interested in a complete deficiency list and has less need for a rigorous economic analysis, more of the RCx study can focus on equipment testing.
Reducing RCx Cost with Utility Company Partnerships
Bolder Energy often provides RCx in partnership with state and local utility programs. We can work with your utility to determine if there are program and prescriptive rebates available to you. This can sometimes reduce the cost of the effort and implementation of measures significantly. Two examples of these types of programs we are currently involved with include:
Bolder Energy is thoroughly experienced in the RCx process with our staff having completed many RCx projects. The exact RCx profile of services can be customized to fit individual client needs and can be adjusted based on energy saving goals, facility resources, and funding. As an example, if a client is more interested in a complete deficiency list and has less need for a rigorous economic analysis, more of the RCx study can focus on equipment testing.
Reducing RCx Cost with Utility Company Partnerships
Bolder Energy often provides RCx in partnership with state and local utility programs. We can work with your utility to determine if there are program and prescriptive rebates available to you. This can sometimes reduce the cost of the effort and implementation of measures significantly. Two examples of these types of programs we are currently involved with include:
- The Xcel Energy RCx program, which provides a cash incentive that cover up to 75% of study fees as well as cash incentives for implementation [currently $400/kW or $0.08/kWh saved, whichever is higher plus $4/dekatherm].
- The Platte River Power Authority RCx program, which will cover the cost of the study if the client agrees to spend at least $4,000 (or more, depending on building size) to implement identified RCx measures with total project simple payback of two years or less, based upon total energy savings.