A commissioning agent will compare the original design to the current usage and inspect the operation of the temperature and lighting controls. The commissioning professional will bring in control or other specialists as needed.
Retrocommissioning: Is the process of evaluating an existing building to ensure that the building components are stil lcalibrated properly and used as designed; with all building systems operating as intended and at maximum efficiency.
The retrocommissioning process is based on the building type and current usage, especially if the current usage differs from the initial design usage.
Retrocommissioning differs from other audit procedures in its attention to original design purpose and current occupancy patterns. After an initial evaluation, defective equipment is repaired and/or calibrated. With residential projects, the architectural components of the building play the largest role. Incommercial projects, HVAC and lighting systems tend to be the larger areas of focus.
Overtime buildings are used for purposes other than originally intended. Even if such controls were formally commissioned when the building was constructed, spaces will be used in a manner other than as originally designed:
• Personnel densities are shifted from one space to another
• Equipment (plugloads) will be added or removed
• Hardware will drift or fail
• Operators will modify temperature control sequences to the best of their abilities
An efficient lighting retrofit can reduce the heat load in spaces dramatically. By rebalancing airflows and/or modifying temperature control sequences, the energy savings from the lighting retrofit can sometimes be doubled.
Retro-Commissioning provides:
• Increased occupant productivity
• Energy savings
• Raised asset value
• Greater efficiency of building components
• Updated component training materials
