Retrocommissioning solutions

What is retrocommissioning?

Retrocommissioning is a systematic process for “tuning up” the major components of a building to improve energy efficiency. It specifically focuses on improving the control of energy-using equipment (e.g., heating, ventilation, and air conditioning [HVAC] equipment and lighting) and typically does not involve equipment replacement. Typical measures are low-cost with a simple payback of two years or less based on electricity savings.

Retrocommissioning has many benefits. Here are a few: 

• Energy and cost savings
• Improved equipment performance and extended life
• Increased productivity and asset value
• Improved occupant comfort and indoor air quality
• Increased operations and maintenance (O&M) staff capabilities and expertise
• Improved building documentation

Traditional Retrocommissioning & Monitoring-Based Commissioning

For facilities over 50,000 square feet of conditioned space or 1 million kWh of annual usage, customers must commit to spending at least $3,000 to implement identified measures. For facilities over 150,000 square feet or 3 million kWh of annual usage, customers can choose to participate in the Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx), which allows for additional data collection and greater energy savings. Both processes target a wide range of possible measures, including:

• HVAC components, including optimizing and checking airside economizers, confirming, and adjusting set points for temperature and static duct pressure, verifying system scheduling, identifying/repairing evaporator valve leaks, and eliminating simultaneous heating and cooling
• Central plant, including revising control sequencing, reducing equipment runtime and scheduling systems, and optimizing chilled- and condenser-water supply temperature reset strategies
• Lighting systems, including fine-tuning existing controls
• Compressed air, refrigeration and process equipment optimization

Rebates

Traditional Retrocommissioning and Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) Solutions provide a rebate for large facilities of $0.05 per kilowatt-hour for the first year of electricity savings plus $100 per average peak kW saved. The peak period is defined as the hours from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday, July, and August. QSPs involved in Traditional Retrocommissioning who actively bring in eligible projects will receive a higher rebate rate at each phase ($0.06/kWh @ IP; $0.04/kWh @ VP), subject to the Customer rebate cap as shown below.

In addition to the incentives above, MBCx customers will receive 50% of the cost, up to $15,000, to pay for integrating monitoring software and hardware. Another 50%, up to $15,000, is available upon successful completion of an MBCx project. New construction buildings are eligible for 100% of the cost, up to $12,000, for integrating monitoring software and hardware on new buildings.

Eligibility

To participate in this program, your facility must be served by an eligible SRP nonresidential electric price plan. Buildings must have at least 50,000 square feet of conditioned space and a functional Energy Management System (EMS). While there is no explicit building age requirement, the facility must have established operations suitable for retrocommissioning. New construction buildings with at least 150,000 square feet of conditioned space may qualify under the Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) path if they integrate SRP-approved MBCx software into the EMS and commit to at least 12 months of post-construction monitoring.

The building owner, along with O&M staff, must express a commitment to be actively involved in the retrocommissioning process, and must commit to spending at least $3,000 to implement identified measures. For program details, limitations, eligibility criteria, and program requirements, refer to the Retrocommissioning Program Manual.

How to participate

Traditional Retrocommissioning & MBCx

1. Contact our Retrocommissioning administrator, Peter Hamstra, at phamstra@resource-innovations.com or (480) 768-3907
2. Apply: Submit the Retrocommisioning Program application and confirm eligibility (rate plan, facility size, EMS).
3. Prepare: Provide building documentation, including EMS details, equipment lists, and energy usage records.
4. MBCx Only: Integrate approved MBCx software into the current EMS.
5. Approval: Receive SRP approval and get assigned a Qualified Service Provider (QSP).
6. Investigate: Grant facility access and support QSP data collection, including trending data, set points, equipment schedules, and system performance logs.
7. Plan: Review the Investigation Phase report and agree on retrocommissioning measures (RCMs) to be implemented.
8. Implement: Commit at least $3,000 and arrange for the completion of agreed-upon RCMs within 120 days.
9. Verify: Support SRP and QSP in verifying energy savings to qualify for rebates.

Contact us

Call us at (602) 236-3054 or email savewithsrpbiz@srpnet.com.