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Retro-Commissioning
John Herbert
Registered Energy Assessor(REA)
Retro-Commissioning also known as re-commissioning fine tunes system
performance, adding capital value, lowering operating costs, and improving
comfort conditions for the occupants within existing buildings.
Presently commissioning is often overlooked being viewed as only the last
obstacle to payment, something that needs done, as swiftly as possible, with
little thought regarding the longer term impact on building operations and
energy efficiency.
Room thermostat set at 10 degC to compensate for poor sensor location next to hand dryer
credit: John Herbert
Properly conducted commissioning ensures that the systems
operate as intended creating comfortable environment for
your employees. But what then? Does the building run for
twenty years without a tuning?
Building Tuning
Over time your organisation and its needs will change and evolve and the systems
degrade. The E&M systems, particularly the HVAC systems, are often over looked -
ignored unless there is a major problem. That's like running your car for twenty
years or more without a tune-up.
Retro-Commissioning (re-commissioning) is the equivalent of that essential
vehicle tune-up, uncovering opportunities to lower operating costs, recovering
lost performance, improving comfort, and importantly rediscovering lost productivity.
Correctly problems, such as the thermostat pictured above lowers
operating costs, saving money.
Automatic Controls
Automation and control systems are like everything else in life, they degrade over
time if they are not maintained. Because they are small, hidden, and often
forgotten, thermostats are not checked for settings or failure, control loops
are not tuned, sensors are not recalibrated (if they were ever calibrated in the
first place), dampers get stuck, control valves leak or fail operate correctly,
set points are intentionally or unintentionally overwritten.....the list goes
on and on.
Kelcroft advises organisations how to get the most from their existing HVAC
systems.
With energy costs escalating saving energy is foremost in the minds of many
building owners and facility managers.
But the real question is how can energy be saved, and lower costs achieved
without causing other problems? Where can an energy-saving project compete
for the same limited dollars an owner has available? One answer may be retro-commissioning!
Retro-commissioning is a systematic procedure to identifying operational and
maintenance improvements for existing buildings and for ensuring their continued
performance over time.
Would you run your car for twenty years without regular
servicing?
why run your building that way?
Retro-commissioning process intends not only to optimize how equipment and
systems operate, but also to optimise how the all the various systems function
together, including the building envelope in an operational setting.
Although retro-commissioning may include recommendations for
capital improvements, the primary focus should be O&M activities
and diagnostic testing to optimise the energy efficiency of
the Building Services E&M systems.
Seven good reasons to recommend retro-commissioning:
- Recovering degraded performance
- Reducing wasted energy
- Improving facility operation and maintenance
- Bring equipment back to proper operational state
- Increasing equipment life, lowering the total cost of ownership
- Improving indoor air quality
- Reducing complaints and increasing tenant satisfaction
- Reduce staff time spent on emergency calls
- Improve IAQ and comfort
Independent Validation
Kelcroft provides an independent monitoring and validate commissioning validation,
acting as independent eyes and ears on the ground for the entire commissioning (CX)
process. From planning stage through to commissioning fieldwork, execution, and
most importantly O&M documentation.
Further Information
Kelcroft's expertise covers a range of energy and environmental products
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For further information regarding Kelcroft's services, call today, our Hong Kong office telephone: +(852) 2335 9830,
send us a fax +(852) 2335 9862, or send us an email message
