Building commissioning (Cx) and retro-commissioning (RCx) are quickly gaining popularity among owners, especially higher education institutions. Both processes offer numerous benefits that include energy reduction and cost savings. The University of Chicago's Cx and RCx efforts are highlighted within.

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Commissioning & Retro-Commissioning:
Gaining Popularity Among Owners by Sami L. Barry
Building commissioning (Cx) is a Retro-Commissioning (RCx) is the
proactive, systematic and quality- On average, the application of the commissioning
assurance oriented process that process to existing buildings. It is a
operating costs of a
ensures that building systems are method of researching, analyzing and
designed, installed and tested commissioned building optimizing the performance of
thoroughly so that they operate and range from 8 - 20% existing building systems. RCx
perform as intended and to the identifies low-cost operational and
owner’s expectations and below that of a non- maintenance improvements so that
requirements. It is a multi-disciplined commissioned building. owners can achieve the building’s
effort that spans from pre-design original design and performance
planning to post-construction intentions.
operations and it involves owners, designers,
construction managers and commissioning providers. But not every existing building is an ideal candidate for
RCx. General characteristics of a building that can
This project management practice is being embraced by benefit from RCx are:
both public and private organizations because of its ‣ Energy management system
improvements to project delivery such as:
‣ No major renovations planned
‣ Reduced change orders
‣ History of efficiency investments
‣ Reduced warranty issues
‣ Available / updated building documentation
‣ Reduced contractor callbacks
‣ Operational and environmental comfort issues
‣ Formal review and integration of all project
‣ Mechanical equipment is less than 12 years old
expectations during planning, design,
and is in good condition
construction and occupancy phases by
inspection and performance testing. ‣ Energy intensive or higher than expected energy
use
Beyond project delivery, Cx offers numerous other
benefits:
‣ Higher energy efficiency
‣ Enhancement of building quality
‣ Extended life of existing equipment
‣ Reduced operating and maintenance (O&M)
costs
‣ Delivery of preventive and predictive
maintenance plans
‣ Documented confirmation that building systems
are planned, designed, installed, tested,
operated and maintained in compliance with the
owner’s project requirements.

2. The benefits of RCx can be just as numerous as those Ray explains that RCx poses a different set of issues
for Cx and among them are: than Cx. First, it is important to understand the baseline
operating performance of your current systems. Most of
‣ Increased asset value
the University’s facilities have building automation
‣ Reduced operational costs
systems and the RCx team analyzes the information to
‣ Advanced building performance determine what changes can be made to optimize
‣ Average energy savings of 16% / year performance. Once that information is gathered, there
‣ Comprehensive building documentation are challenges that come from the end-users side.
Understandably, end-users are accustomed to systems
‣ Improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ)
operating in a certain way. When the systems are going
‣ Expanded O&M staff capabilities and expertise to be changed or updated, end-users need to be
‣ Enhanced systems operations beyond preventive informed why it is being done and the advantages of
maintenance doing so which will assist in ensuring them that they will
‣ Improved equipment performance and extended not be adversely affected. The goal is to optimize the
life of such equipment energy use while maintaining user comfort.
‣ Identification and solutions to building systems
To accomplish its own RCx objectives, the University
operations, control and maintenance problems
performed a benchmark study on all campus buildings to
identify which facilities are high-energy intensive from
Cx and RCx initiatives will continue gaining popularity an end-user standpoint. They then ranked the facilities
among owners in the years to come as more from high to low and applied the 80/20 rule,
organizations begin to realize the value that each offers determining that changing or updating 20% of a
their asset portfolios as well as their bottom lines. building will result in 80% of the savings. Now, from a
RCx standpoint, they brainstorm on how they can
Case Study: optimize each building’s systems to reduce its energy
University of Chicago use and to make it a high-performance asset. The team
then sits down with the end-users and they discuss
The University of Chicago recently launched a
their ideas and gather feedback. Ray explains, “If we
Commissioning (Cx) and Retro-Commissioning (RCx)
start with 10 ideas, we may end up with 5 or 6 that we
program and Mr. Sumit Ray (PE, CEM, LEED), Director of
agree to try and implement those plans accordingly”. In
Engineering and Utilities, is playing an instrumental role
this effort, the University is teamed up with ComEd
in these efforts. The initiatives are part of the
(local utility company) and its Demand Side
University’s overall energy reduction plan entitled
Management (DSM) program.
15 x 15, which has the ultimate goal of reducing
campus-wide energy usage 15% by 2015. To mitigate challenges with initiating Cx and RCx
programs, Ray recommends that universities educate
In speaking with Mr. Ray, one of the common challenges appropriate team members on the benefits of Cx and
of Cx is involving a Cx manager during the early stages RCx because not all professionals are aware of the
of capital projects. Because commissioning is best advantages of such plans, which is understandable. He
performed and most effective when it begins during a explains, “We cannot expect everyone to be well-versed
project’s planning phase, the University has plans to in commissioning and to understand its benefits. People
secure an individual for an internal Cx position who will have different types of knowledge and expertise and
focus exclusively on the University’s Cx and RCx they see things differently. But it makes a huge
initiatives and reduce the University’s dependence upon difference when they are educated on the topics and
outside Cx firms. Having input during these initial they can see a building that has had commissioning
planning stages, the capital project team will improve its done and the impact it has made. By educating them on
ability to establish equipment requirements and system the Cx and RCx process, you help them to understand it,
performance standards as well as to ensure that which encourages their participation and engagement in
construction documents represent design intent and the process”.
building systems are integrated properly. It will also
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