Explore the Energy Savings, Operational Improvements, and Uptime Benefits
Continuous Building Systems Commissioning refers to the ongoing process of monitoring, evaluating, and optimizing building systems to ensure energy efficiency and operational performance. Unlike traditional commissioning, which focuses on ensuring equipment works as designed at post-installation, continuous building systems commissioning is a proactive, ongoing data driven approach aimed at improving performance over the entire lifespan of a building.
The essence of continuous building systems commissioning lies in its frequentative process, where anomalies or inefficiencies are identified, investigated, and resolved continuously - thereby maintaining and enhancing the building's energy efficiency profile and operational functionality.
According to Andrew Vaillencourt, President, SRG Energy Efficiency Services and Instructor for the Continuous Building Systems Commissioning – Energy Efficiency Through Optimization professional development training, “continuous building systems commissioning is to consistently improve a site’s performance. It involves monitoring, inspecting, evaluating, and optimizing site operations on a continuous basis, rather than reactive, to ensure that the constituent operations waste as little energy as possible. Most importantly, commissioning is DATA-driven and PROACTIVE. More uptime, less downtime and enhanced overall system energy efficiency and operational performance."
Advantages of Continuous Building Systems Commissioning:
The implementation of continuous building systems commissioning provides several significant benefits, including:
- Energy Savings: Continuous monitoring identifies inefficiencies like improperly functioning equipment or incorrect settings, enabling optimization that reduces energy waste.
- Improved Comfort: Optimized systems ensure a comfortable indoor environment by maintaining proper temperature, ventilation, and lighting levels.
- Cost Reduction: By resolving inefficiencies and maintaining optimal performance, continuous building systems commissioning reduces energy and maintenance costs.
- Extended Equipment Lifespan: Proactive maintenance through continuous building systems commissioning prevents wear and tear, extending the life of building systems.
- Sustainability Goals: continuous building systems commissioning supports green initiatives by minimizing energy consumption and carbon footprints
Stakeholders Who Benefit:
- Building Owners: Realize reduced operating costs and increased property value due to optimized energy performance.
- Facility Managers: Gain tools for proactive system management, improving system reliability and maintenance efficiency.
- Occupants: Experience improved indoor environmental quality, enhancing comfort and productivity.
- Energy Managers and Environmental Advocates: Achieve energy-saving goals and contribute to sustainability objectives.
Comparison: continuous building systems commissioning vs. Initial Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning – Courtesy of SRG Energy Efficiency Services.
The Key Points:
Continuous building systems commissioning is an invaluable strategy for achieving optimal building performance. By leveraging data and a proactive approach, continuous building systems commissioning ensures energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and cost savings over the lifespan of a building. While initial commissioning and retro-commissioning are vital steps in a building's operational lifecycle, continuous building systems commissioning provides the ongoing vigilance and action required to sustain and build upon these benefits.
Implementing continuous building systems commissioning fosters a culture of continuous improvement, benefiting not only individual stakeholders but also contributing to broader sustainability goals.
Resources:
- Professional Development Training: Continuous Building Systems Commissioning – Energy Efficiency Through Optimization (OnDemand Version)
- Professional Development Training: Continuous Building Systems Commissioning – Energy Efficiency Through Optimization (Live Webinar Version)
- U.S. DOE: Commissioning Process for Federal Facilities
- BCA - Seasonal Testing: Optimizing Building Performance Year-Round
- Commissioning Existing Buildings
- ASHRAE: Commissioning Standards & Guidelines