How LEED & The Retro-Commissioning Credits Produce Energy Savings. James Vallort Vice President Environmental Systems Design, Inc.

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1 How LEED & The Retro-Commissioning Credits Produce Energy Savings James Vallort Vice President Environmental Systems Design, Inc.

2 Retro-Commissioning Today s session will focus on the following items: 1.What is Retro-Cx? 2.Retro-Cx and LEED 3.The Retro-Commissioning Process 4.Pricing challenges for Retro-Commissioning 5.A case study of a Retro-Cx project 6.Open discussion on commissioning

3 Retro Commissioning (Cx) The many meanings of Retro Cx What is the difference between Retro-Cx & Re-Cx Retro Cx LEED EB LEED Stipulates Systems Time Frame to complete testing Depth of Testing Minimal steps & procedures requirements

4 Retro Commissioning (Cx) Retro Cx Ala Cart Can be focused on a single system Can be performed as part of a renovation Can be very detailed Rebalance entire facility Can be high level Dangerous May just verify problems and not identify the source Can involve re-engineering the systems Can be added scope to a LEED EB Retro Cx

5 LEED EB 2.0 vs. LEED Operations & Maintenance LEED EB 2.0 EA Pre-requisite 1 Verify that fundamental building systems and assemblies are performing as intended to meet current needs and sustainability requirements. Pre-requisite NO POINTS! No credits for continuous commissioning

6 LEED EB 2.0/V3 vs. LEED Operations & Maintenance Changes in LEED O&M Prereq 1 Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices - Planning, Documentation, and Opportunity Assessment Credit 2.1 Existing Building Commissioning - Investigation and Analysis Credit 2.2 Existing Building Commissioning - Implementation Credit 2.3 Existing Building Commissioning - Ongoing Commissioning

7 Prereq 1 Energy Efficiency Best Mgmt Practices - Planning, Documentation, and Opportunity Assessment Document the current sequence of operations Develop a building operations plan Develop System Narratives Create a preliminary preventative maintenance plan Conduct an energy audit (walk-through assessment)

8 Credit 2.1 Existing Building Commissioning Investigation and Analysis (Two options) (2 Points) Option A Develop a Retro-Cx Plan Conduct the investigation and analysis phases Breakdown energy consumption in the facility Develop a list of operational problems Develop of list of improvements and the associated cost benefit analysis

9 Credit 2.2 Existing Building Commissioning Implementation (2 Points) Implement no or low cost operational improvements Create a capital plan for future improvements Provide training on energy efficiency, system operations and other sustainable bldg operations topics Demonstrate the observed or anticipated financial costs & benefits of implemented improvements Update the building operations plan

10 Credit 2.3 Existing Building Commissioning - Ongoing Commissioning Implement an ongoing commissioning program Create a written plan for a 24 month cycle Complete 50% of the current Retro-Cx cycle Update the building operations plan

11 The Retro-Commissioning Process Commissioning is a process driven activity. Focus on resolutions and opportunities Realize that good buildings need tune ups over time Building goals and objectives change over time Building goals some time conflict Comfort vs. energy efficiency

12 What Is Commissioning? Commissioning is a quality-assurance process that can be incorporated into building design and construction to meet the following objectives: Verify that design intent is accomplished Assure that systems operate as intended Validate system performance Calibrate baseline measurement of system performance Train operations staff

13 Why Should We Consider Commissioning For Our Project?" Commissioning enhances building performance by: Minimizing energy consumption by ensuring that all systems function in accordance with the design intent Minimizing environmental impacts associated with faulty construction Maximizing occupant healthy and comfort by optimizing system performance Optimizing life-cycle costs by maximizing system performance

14 Where Opportunities Are Found Based on data from LBNL PECI and Texas A&M 2004 study the following summary was provided. Significant opportunities in Air Handling & Distribution Next major category is the Cooling Plant

15 Savings Beyond Energy from Retro-Cx Based on data from LBNL, PECI and Texas A&M 2004 study the following summary was provided. Significant savings in extended equipment life Next major category is Thermal Comfort When combined with IAQ becomes largest

16 Sample Bldg Cx Timeline Retro/Re-Cx ` Site Inventory Collate Findings Observe and Test Performance Implement Improvements Ongoing Monitoring Collect Data Develop Cx Plan List Deficiencies & Improvements Re-test Improvements Final Report PLANNING INVESTIGATION IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION Project Timeline

17 Planning Phase Initial Meeting with Facility and Commissioning Teams. Inventory Equipment / Collect Nameplate Data. Review Maintenance Practices and Equipment History. Collect Energy Consumption Data. Collect Building Occupant Data. Collate Findings and Review.

18 Investigation Phase Develop Retro-commissioning Plan. Develop diagnostic monitoring plans. Develop Design Intent and optimum operating plans. Develop functional performance test plans. Conduct site assessment to perform diagnostic monitoring, testing and data collection.

19 Investigation Phase (cont.) Analyze Results of the data collection and testing. Develop Master List of deficiencies and improvements. Analyze Return on Investment. Review Findings with Cx Team

20 Implementation Phase Implement repairs and improvements. Retest and re-monitor for results. Fine Tune improvements if needed. Revise estimated energy savings calculations. This phase can be phased over a multi-year plan

21 Project Wrap-Up Prepare final report Often there are multiple final reports as a result of phased implementation Develop Re-Commissioning Manual. Monitoring Energy Consumption Basis for next phase of Retro-Cx

22 Pricing Methods The pricing for Retro Cx is extremely complex There are multiple phases of Retro Cx Each phase may change the predicted scope of work for future phases The ability to adapt to discoveries contractually is key to solving problems

23 Pricing Methods (cont.) Some common methods are: Square Footage Ranges between 15 a sq ft to 50 per sq ft Most risky pricing method. Cx Agent has limited or excess time. May limit amount of re-engineering to permanently fix and improve system performance Recommended to be utilized for budgetary purposes Commissioning is a component and system based task A 1,200,000 sq. ft. bldg constructed in 2001 has one massive built up fan system consisting of 8 fans that serves 90% of the building A 1,200,000 sq. ft. bldg constructed in 1934 has over 50 fan systems that serve the building

24 Pricing Methods (cont.) Level of effort per system Itemize the systems to be commissioned Project level of effort to: Document the current systems, investigate reengineering potential, verify installation, verify performance and back check corrections made during testing Allows for a phased approach on critical systems first

25 Pricing Methods (cont.) What to include in the budget for a Retro Cx project: Internal Time Outside contractors Retro Cx Agent O&M / repair costs Immediate and long term Capital Improvements Immediate and long term

26 Internal Resources Required The internal staff can have a big or small effort on the project. This is a critical decision, be honest about the time commitments and capabilities of staff. Some common staff activities that take away from current activities Gathering design, renovations and maintenance data for the facility Serving as tour guides for outside contractors to facilitate bidding and performance of work

27 Internal Staff Required (cont.) Assisting in Retro-Cx activities can provide benefits: Minimize costs Train staff - New staff members become familiar with systems - Retro Cx should become a continuous process. Interface with occupants of the facility during testing Evaluating proposed facility changes

28 Outside Resources Some common outside contractors are: Test & Balance (TAB) Design / Engineering Building Automation contractors To manipulate systems To verify BAS is accurate To propose / price system enhancements

29 Outside Resources (cont.) Trade related contractors Mechanical Electrical Glazing Cleaning Etc.

30 Outside Resources: Why Engineering Design / Engineering The fact that your building was designed and is operational does not limit the need for reengineering. Retro-Cx vs. Retro-Cx/Re-engineering Retro-Cx with Re-engineering opens the opportunity to fix problems Address facility changes with the best technology Update the design top integrate latest trends and energy savings

31 The Savings Are Real The University of Illinois has begun a Retro-Commissioning Program and has seen real results in five buildings.

32 Case Study 135 S LaSalle Street, Chicago Illinois Formerly the Field Building (Retailer Marshall Field) Constructed in 1934 as an Art Deco skyscraper 44 stories tall totaling 1.25 million sq. ft.

33 LEED EB and Custom Retro-Cx The 135 S LaSalle Street Retro-Cx project was LEED project that went one step further Long range plan established to performed detailed Retro-Cx and re-engineering of all major systems. The systems to be commissioned include HVAC Lighting Building automation system

34 Initial Focused Retro-Cx Efforts Systems selected for detailed retro Cx Primary AHUs serving the tower 60% of the building sq ft Increased focus on: System objectives System performance Long term system planning

35 Retro-Cx Team Commissioning Firm Controls Contractor Test & Balance Contractor Facilities Staff

36 Retro-Cx Team Concept Not a time to point fingers or assign blame. No hidden agenda or blind shots

37 Retro-Cx Team Concept Open professional communication is the key to success. TEAMWORK

38 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Eliminating the hot deck damper leakage in the dual duct terminal units. Hot deck leakage is taking away from the cooling effect of the cold deck supply air. Projected Energy Savings:$450,000 Required Implementation Steps: Terminal Unit Test & Balance / Repair Program - Eliminate Hot deck bypass - No longer paying to push return air back to the space

39 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Programming OA dampers to be closed during morning warm-up and cool down periods, when the building is unoccupied and doesn t require any OA. Projected Energy Savings: $35,000 Required Implementation Steps: Programming change (No capital changes)

40 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Minimizing OA CFM to the greatest extent possible by bringing the air systems into compliance with ASHRAE s Standard , Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Focus on leaking OA dampers. Projected Energy Savings: $40,000 Required Implementation Steps: Replace aged and leaking dampers - The staff had been repairing these dampers for years and there useful life had expired.

41 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Minimizing OA CFM to the greatest extent possible by bringing the air systems into compliance with ASHRAE s Standard , Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Focus OA CO 2 volume control Projected Energy Savings: $210,000 Required Implementation Steps: Implement programming changes to track and control OA Install CO2 sensors to provide input to control system

42 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Installing Isolation dampers on the 7 of 19 floors where they do not exist so that an overtime HVAC request will not feed at least 7 floors with conditioned air. Projected Energy Savings: $190,000 Required Implementation Steps: Isolation dampers were already installed on 12 of 19 floors Install isolation dampers on the remaining 7 floors Provide operator interface to open and close isolation dampers via the building automation system

43 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Supply air static pressure control, where the air systems are made capable of operating as true variable air volume systems (VAV) as opposed to their current constant air volume (CAV) state of operation. Projected Energy Savings:$300,000 Required Implementation Steps: Replace static pressure sensors Relocate static pressure sensors Repair return fan inlet vane control

44 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Supply air discharge temperature reset, where the air systems supply air temperature is allowed to adjust according to whether or not the greatest zone demand load is satisfied or not. Projected Energy Savings:$35,000 Required Implementation Steps: Controls programming to canvas available points For improved operation additional space temperature and humidity points

45 Energy Savings Opportunities Identified Revising the chilled water pump sequence of operation to take advantage of the pump VFDs and use the fourth pump as a back-up since it adds very little to the CHW flow and pressure head of the system. Projected Energy Savings: $35,000 Required Implementation Steps: Programming changes only

A Building Commissioning Overview. Presented by: Goetting & Associates Commissioning

A Building Commissioning Overview Presented by: Goetting & Associates Commissioning www.goettingcx.com What is the Definition of Commissioning? Building Commissioning is a Quality Assurance Process of