Existing Building Cx: Processes & Results A Cultural Journey Barry Abramson Senior Vice President Servidyne
AIA Quality Assurance Learning Objectives 1. Define the key steps in the process of retrocommissioning an existing building. 2. Compare and contrast typical retrocommissioning findings by building type, size and climate. 3. Predict the range of savings attainable through retrocommissioning. 4. Avoid common pitfalls in the implementation and verification phases of a retrocommissioning project.
Man vs. Machine: That s so retro The Culture of Retrocommissioning
That s so retro
Building Performance Tracking Basic Tools Beyond Basic Tools
Defining RCx A collaborative process that looks at how and why a building s systems are operated and maintained as they are, and then identifies ways to improve overall building performance. A Retrocommissioning Guide for Building Owners developed by PECI with funding from US EPA
Undefining RCx RCx is not the same as: An energy audit Test & balance Controls calibration New building commissioning
Program Case Study California utility-sponsored programs 25 commercial buildings 6.2 million square feet Findings Electricity savings: 4.9% Natural gas savings: 12.1% Cost savings: $0.11/SF Payback: 1.7 Yrs
Program Case Study Chicago utility-sponsored programs 6 commercial buildings 4.2 million square feet Findings Electricity savings: 6.1% Cost savings: $0.07/SF Payback: 0.6 Yrs
Building Case Study Chicago office building Baseboard electric heating control AHU fan pressurization 2.0 1.8 1.6 kwh (Million 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2009 Apr'10 - Mar'11
3/13/2007 17:20 3/13/2007 17:52 3/13/2007 16:16 3/13/2007 16:48 3/13/2007 15:44 3/13/2007 15:12 Building Case Study Los Angeles office building Chiller staging Chiller Loading Daily Profile with CH-2 & 3 then CH-1 Running 600 500 400 300 200 Amps 100 0 6:08 3/13/2007 6:40 3/13/2007 7:12 3/13/2007 7:44 3/13/2007 8:16 3/13/2007 8:48 3/13/2007 9:20 3/13/2007 9:52 3/13/2007 10:24 3/13/2007 10:56 3/13/2007 11:28 3/13/2007 12:00 3/13/2007 12:32 3/13/2007 13:04 3/13/2007 13:36 3/13/2007 14:08 3/13/2007 14:40 CH 1 CH 2 CH 3
Typical RCx Top 10 1. Schedule HVAC Systems 2. Adjust Outside Air to Current Needs 3. Mitigate Simultaneous Heating and Cooling 4. Reduce Flow from Oversized Pumps 5. Reset Supply Air Temperatures 6. Enable Economizer Controls 7. Reset Static Pressures/Optimize VFD Operation 8. Stage Chillers Properly 9. Lower Condenser Water Setpoints 10. Correct Lighting Control Operation 12
Top 10 Characteristics of a Retrocommissioning Provider Another Top 10
Number 10 Doesn t like Top 10 lists or cookie-cutter approach
Number 9 Emulates Peter Falk as Columbo
Number 8 Has a love/hate relationship with utility incentive programs
Number 7 Is good at, but doesn t like to fill out forms AIR HANDLING UNIT INFORMATION FORM Facility: Date: Building: AIR HANDLING UNIT Unit Tag: MFGR MODEL NBR Area Served 1 System Type: DESIGN Constant Volume Variable Air Volume Total Air flow (CFM) Changeover Bypass Multi-zone Dual Duct O.A. Air flow (CFM) 2 Cooling Coil Type: TSP (in.) Direct Expansion (DX) Chilled Water None Fan BHP / Amps 3 Heating Coil Type: Motor HP Hot Water Electric Steam None RPM / VFD Output (Hz) Motor ACTUAL / MEASURED 4 Other Coils: Motor Voltage Heat Recovery None Motor Efficiency 5 Economizer Type: Cooling Capacity (MBH) Dry Bulb Enthalpy None Cooling Coil EDB (T1) 6 Economizer Setpoint Cooling Coil LDB (T2) o F or BTU/Lb CHW EWT 7 Supply Air Temp (VAV, MZ, DD) CHW LWT Setpoint o F Actual / Measured o F CHW Flow (GPM) Space Temp Setpoint (CV) CHW Press Drop (ft) Setpoint?? o F Actual / Measured o F DX Coil Suction Temp 8 Fan Volume Control Method Htg Coil Capacity (MBH) VFD IGV Other None Heating Coil EAT 9 Fan Volume Control Parameter Heating Coil LAT Supply duct static pressure Other None HW EWT 10 Control Parameter HW Flow (GPM) Setpoint in. w.g. Actual / Measured in. w.g. HW Delta-T 11 CHW Valve Type Htg Coil Press Drop (ft) 2-way 3-way None Electric Coil Capacity (kw) 12 CHW Valve Control Type Electric Coil Stages Pneumatic Electric/Electronic DDC Position 13 Filter Type Throwaway - fiberglass Filter Condition: Clean ON AM / PM Throwaway - pleated media Dirty 2" Schedule: Throwaway - pleated media 4" Very dirty OFF AM / PM Other
Number 6 Is addicted to trend data - in massive doses VAV 2113 - Reheat Room Temp Setpoint Cycling Erratically; Reheat Hunting 110 90 70 50 Hot Water Temperatures Daily Profile 160 140 120 100 80 5:30 5:55 6:20 6:45 7:10 7:35 8:00 8:25 8:50 9:15 9:40 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:20 11:45 12:10 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:50 14:15 14:40 15:05 15:30 15:55 16:20 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 Deg F 17:50 23:20 4:45 10:15 15:45 21:15 2:40 8:10 13:40 19:10 0:35 6:05 11:35 17:05 22:35 4:00 9:30 15:00 20:30 1:55 7:25 12:55 18:25 23:55 5:20 10:50 16:20 21:50 3:15 8:45 14:15 19:45 Deg F VAV 2113 Supply Temp VAV 2113 Set Point VAV 2113 Room Temp HW Setpoint HW Sup T HW Ret T
Number 5 Has multiple personalities Engineer Controls technician Psychologist/Therapist
Loves to tell war stories Number 4
Number 3 Holds a secret nostalgia for pneumatic controls
Feels a sense of accomplishment at the completion of a project, but always worries about the future Number 2
Has a healthy skepticism about technology Number 1
AIA Quality Assurance Portland Energy Conservation, Inc is a registered provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-aia members are available on request. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
Thank You Barry Abramson barry.abramson@servidyne.com