How to Have a Successful Retrocommissioning Project

Karl Stum, PEPortland Energy Conservation Inc. (PECI)

Successful Retrocommissioning

2

Successful Retrocommissioning

What We Will Cover--

• Definitions

• Planning phase activities

• Investigation and implementation phases

• Hand-off phase

3

Successful Retrocommissioning

Retrocommissioning

• Existing equipment

• Seeks low-cost operational improvements

• Likely won’t get done with a conventional performance contract

4

Successful Retrocommissioning

Phases of the Process

• Planning

• Investigation

• Implementation

• Hand-off

5

Successful Retrocommissioning

Building Selection

• Enthusiastic facility staff

• Facility staff have time

• Owner has money to put into project

• High energy users?

6

Successful Retrocommissioning

Objectives

• System verification (RCx)

• Energy savings

• Problem areas

• What systems? HVAC Lighting Controls Specialty

7

Successful Retrocommissioning

System Verification

• Systematic testing of systems

• Like new construction testing

• Report card

8

Successful Retrocommissioning

Energy Savings

• Focus on big energy using equipment

• Comfort?

• IAQ?

• Capital improvements?

• Energy-only may not be compatible with std. RCx

9

Successful Retrocommissioning

Problems Areas

• Comfort

• System control

• IAQ

10

Successful Retrocommissioning

Satisfy All Stakeholders

11

Successful Retrocommissioning

Satisfy All Stakeholders

• Owner

• Utility

• Energy manager

• Facility manager

• Facility engineer/operator

12

Successful Retrocommissioning

Types of Implementation

By Whom:

• All by owner

• CP oversees

• CP implements

When:

• Along the way

• After full finding report

13

Successful Retrocommissioning

Selecting a Provider

• Done it before

• Experienced with your issues TAB Design Equipment Energy Troubleshooting Controls

• References

• Approach

Trust me….

14

Successful Retrocommissioning

Scope of Work

• Don’t promise the farm

• Be explicit

• Consider phasing the project--investigation / implementation

15

Successful Retrocommissioning

Scope of Work

• All but insist that you do some implementation or follow-up

• Allow enough time for implementation

• Leave documentation for facility staff

16

Successful Retrocommissioning

Expectations

• Understand them

• Manage them

• Document

17

Successful Retrocommissioning

Budgeting

• Be realistic

• Many projects are scoped to a budget rather thanthe opposite

• Typical 100k - 500k sf, typical energy projects:

$20k-$50k for investigation, and $10k-$30k for implementation of

findings

18

Successful Retrocommissioning

Cx Plan

• Clear

• Complete

• Include a schedule

19

Successful Retrocommissioning

INVESTIGATION & IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

20

Successful Retrocommissioning

Kick-Off Meeting

• Team building

• Communicate objectives

• Communicate process

• Clear up questions

21

Successful Retrocommissioning

Staff Issues

• Managers support staff Time Appropriate staff resources Allocate budget to implement

• Commissioner respect staff Don’t take their whole day Don’t make staff look bad

(call a spade a heart? Or is the glass half empty or half full?)

22

Successful Retrocommissioning

Communication

• Document all scope directives and changes

• Keep parties informed of progress

• Meet to go over findings

23

Successful Retrocommissioning

Communication

• Provide clear findings and recommendations

• Make report accessible--use summary tables

24

Successful Retrocommissioning

Remaining on Track

• Remember to please all stakeholders

• Revisit your budget often

• Don’t go too deep in one area

• Leave enough for analysis and implementation

25

Successful Retrocommissioning

Implementation

• Consider interactions of recommendations

• Plan for verification, if required

• Identify that all players are satisfied

• Document

26

Successful Retrocommissioning

HAND-OFF PHASE

• Provide a clear / accessible report

• Leave staff with guidance in writing

Implementation plan Optimum operating parameters Updated sequences of control Recommissioning plan Energy accounting plan