Recommissioning

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Over time, the efficiency of a building's energy systems can decline, especially if they were never commissioned properly in the first place. Many buildings limp along in terms of performance and problems are noticed only when a catastrophic failure occurs.

Commissioning existing buildings – called recommissioning – can not only find and correct these problems but also tune up systems and equipment, ensuring that they operate in an integrated manner. Recommissioning goes beyond quick-fix solutions to optimize building systems so that they operate efficiently and effectively, often eliminating the need for capital improvements.

In most cases, the energy savings alone make recommissioning an attractive business investment. A 1996 U.S. study found that, based on energy savings, recommissioning delivered simple paybacks that rarely exceeded four years and were often two years or less.

In addition to saving energy, recommissioning:

• helps ensure a healthy, comfortable and productive working environment for occupants
• extends equipment life and reduces premature equipment failure
• decreases risk and increases the asset value of the building and
• reduces operating and maintenance costs

These non-energy benefits are often more important to building owners and upper management than the energy cost savings.

Clearly, recommissioning can be an effective, low-cost method to improve building performance.