Presented by: Shawn Carr, P.Eng

Building Retro-Commissioning:Why Retro-Commissioning and What Incentives are available?

TODAY’S OBJECTIVES

• What is building retro-commissioning?

• Why retro-commission your building?

• How Save On Energy Audit Funding incentives can help

What is Building Retro-Commissioning?

“Systematic process to improve an existing building’s performance”

RETRO-COMMISSIONING

RETRO-COMMISSIONING IS..A tune-up for your existing building

Building Commissioning

Re-commissioning

Retro-commissioning (ReCx) or Existing Building Commissioning

Ongoing commissioning

TERMINOLOGY

COMPARED TO ENERGY AUDIT

Occupant UseBuildingOperations

Building Systems

Savings

Savings

Savings

Tenant Energy Audits Focus on Occupant Use

System Optimization

Retro-commissioning Focuses on Operations

Facility Energy Audits Focus on Equipment

Content provided by WSP

Why Retro-Commissioning?

• Improve system performance

• Save energy

• Improve comfort

• Reduce maintenance

• Train Operations Team

• Establish Process for Performance Tracking and Persistence

• Better documentation

RETRO-COMMISSIONING YOUR BUILDING TO:

Retro-Commissioning Stats

• 16% Energy Savings• 13 Month Payback

Building Type Energy Savings (%/ ekwh/$)

Simple Payback (years)

Audit Funding Incentive

Commercial Office (Over 1M sq.ft)

21%6,916,950 ekwh$756,500

1.0 Covered 50% of cost

Commercial Office(325,000 sq.ft)

22%1,700,000 ekwh$160,000

4.0 Covered 35% of cost

Commercial Office(420,000 sq.ft)

12%1,700,000 eKwh$170,000

3.2 Covered 44% of cost

Commercial Office (409,000 sq.ft)

5%380,000 eKwh$18,000

1.0 Covered 50% of cost

Retail(900,000 sq.ft)

21%2,100,000 eKwh$190,000

2.0 Covered 50% of cost

Average: ≈16% ≈2.2 years ≈46%

Ottawa Building Stats

Audit FundingBy: Hydro Ottawa

Incentives to Owners for completing building energy audits, Retro-Commissioning studies, and Building System Audits.

AUDIT FUNDING

AUDIT FUNDING PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Incentives for Energy Studies

Audit Funding Program

Four levels of incentives

Electricity Survey & Analysis for Owners

For ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audits on Entire Building

Building System Audit for Non-Capital

Intensive Modifications

For optimizing existing system performance

Existing Building Commissioning

For ReCx your Chilled Water System

Process & Systems Engineering Studies

For customers running complex systems

EB COMMISSIONING PROGRAM CHANGES

Anticipated Program Changes coming in 2016:• EB Commissioning:

• to expand beyond chilled water to include other electricity consuming building systems

• Update eligibility requirements to address impacts of other funding programs

• Update incentive thresholds

• In Market Date: TBD

• Benefits:

• More energy saving options

• More comprehensive projects

BUILDING OWNER

EXISTING BUILDING CX

• Incentives to evaluate and increase chilled water system efficiency.• Equipment older than 3 years and not had a major overhaul in last 2 years• No planted overhaul or replacement in next 2 years• Refer to participant agreement and report requirements for more details.

Phase Incentive DeliverableScoping Study Up to $2,500 or 100% of cost Scoping Study Cx Report

– utility analysis, metering points, ECMs

Investigation $6/ton for data logging equipment (up to 75% of costs)$18/ton for preparing Cx report (up to 75% of costs)Up to a maximum of $30,000

Investigation Phase Cx Report – recommendations and project M&V plan

Implementation Up to $5,000 or 100% of cost for implementation report

Implement phase Cx Report – analysis and results of measured savings.

Hand-off/Completion Up to $2,500 or 100% of cost for completion report Training and documentation for ongoing operations

BUILDING OWNERS AND TENANTS

ELECTRICITY SURVEY AND ANALYSIS

• Connected to the LDC’s distribution system, classified as non-residential.• Own or lease the building• Not eligible if the facility has already received a ESA.• Auditor must be a P.Eng, CEM, or Building Assessment Professional (ASHRAE)• Meets ASHRAE Level 2 requirements• Commitment to implement no/low cost measures (<$1,000 and <1 year payback)

Applicant Building Size IncentiveBuilding Owner Up to 30,000 sq.ft $0.10/sq.ft to a maximum of 50%

Building Owner Larger than 30,000 sq.ft

$3000 for 30,000 sq.ft and $0.05/sq.ft thereafter up to $25,000 or 50% of audit costs

Tenant Any Size $0.03/sq.ft up to $7,500 or 50% of audit costs

BUILDING OWNERS

BUILDING SYSTEM AUDIT

• Analysis of energy savings by optimizing existing building systems (Ventilation, chilled water distribution, DHW distribution, Controls/BAS, AHU’s, etc)

• One incentive per building system to a maximum of $50,000• Can be used to evaluate design options/repair strategies through an energy lens• Excludes lighting systems

Building Size IncentiveAny 50% of audit costs up to $5,000

BUILDING OWNER

PROCESS & SYSTEMS

• Different payment terms and M&V requirements depending on Incentive Stream

Phase Incentive RequirementInvestigation Preliminary Engineering Study (PES): Up to $10,000

Detailed Engineering Study (DES): Up to $50,000- 100 MWh of

Annualized Savings Delivered

- - 3rd party review of report

Project Implementation – Behind the Meter Generation Projects (i.e: Combined Heat and Power, Waste Energy Recovery)- Compressed air systems

Three Incentive Streams:

Small Capital Incentives (<$1,000,000)- Up to 70% of project cost or $200/MWhLarge Capital Incentives (>$1,000,000)- Up to 70% of project cost or $200/MWhRetrofit Program-Up to 50% of project cost

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

Establish Eligibility

Apply to Program

Obtain Pre-Approval

Receive Cheque

Engage us early to determine best funding path based on your needs

Submit Application & Participant Agreement and review audit report requirements before beginning your audit

Refer to Post-Project Evaluation Checklist

Submit Post-Project Documentation

LDC reviews report and meets with you to discuss implementation plans and deliver cheque

cdm.hydroottawa.com

QUESTIONS?

Shawn Carr | Shawncarr@hydroottawa.com613-738-5499 ext. 7474

Hydro Ottawa Breakfast Event

Retro-CommissioningChris Frauley P. Eng., LEED AP, CPMP

June 28, 2016

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• The goal of retro-commissioning is to identify operational “drift” and get the building “back on track”.

• Retro-Commissioning is a systematic, forensic process.

• You need to think like a detective.• Once you understand the building, improvements

can be explored.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING: BACKGROUND

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• The building operator is your greatest asset.• In the typical construction approach, the operator is

often left with drawings and little else.• They must often learn the system by themselves.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING: BACKGROUND

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• Wasted energy can be hard to recognize.• Often the result of years of “tweaks” and fit-ups.• Your job is to restore the building overall

performance.• To start the process, you need to gather as much

original documentation as possible• You need to assemble your Commissioning Team.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING: HOW IT WORKS

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• How does the building work?• Sometimes a single “choke point” can have a large

impact.• Is the equipment operating efficiently?• Have the controls equipment been calibrated?• Does the building use outdated control sequences?

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:HOW YOU CAN GET IT DONE

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• You need a “benchmark”• How does the building compare to its “Peers”?• Is energy metering available• Training for O&M personnel is fundamental.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING: AN EFFECTIVE PROCESS

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• Assembling the proper Commissioning Team is important.

• Often sub-contractors will be required.• It is difficult to estimate the hours of support personnel

until the process has begun.• Approach every building with an open mind.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING: AN EFFECTIVE PROCESS

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• That doesn’t mean you can’t have a toolkit of typical energy saving measures.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING: AN EFFECTIVE PROCESS

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• Retro-Commissioning is most often motivated by “energy savings”.

• The terms used in ReCx are often associated with energy audits.

• How is Retro-Commissioning different?• Retro-Commissioning is a much more “in-depth”

process.• However, an energy audit forms the perfect starting

point for the Retro-Commissioning process.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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Terminology:

• No Cost Opportunity

• Low Cost Opportunity

• Capital Retrofit

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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• If no energy audit is available, you will need to gather the energy information.

• Scope of work can often “expand” due to poor documentation.

• The Owner’s objective is often that they want to save 10% on energy.

• Don’t fixate on energy so much that you lose the other benefits of ReCx.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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CSA Standard Z320 “Building Commissioning”Provides a comprehensive outline of the commissioning process:

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

CSA Standard Z320 “Building Commissioning”Appendix G-3 recommends the following adjustment for Retro-Commissioning

• PLANNING

• Select the building

• Define objectives

• Assemble the team

• Develop project plan

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• INVESTIGATION

• Review documentation

• Perform diagnostic monitoring and testing

• Develop master list of findings

• Prioritize measures to implement

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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• IMPLEMENTATION

• Develop the retro-commissioning implementation

plan

• Implement selected operational improvements

• Verify results

• Prepare retro-commissioning implementation report

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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• HAND-OFF

• Prepare retro-commissioning final report

• Conduct staff training

• Hold hand-off meeting

• Develop / Recommend / Implement ongoing

commissioning strategies

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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• The Canmet ENERGY document provides a sample RFP.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:A GOOD “SCOPE OF WORK”

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• Frequent contact with the Owner is key.• You need to make sure the Owner requirements

are being met.• Some measures may make sense on paper, but

have unintended consequences.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:ALIGNING EXPECTATIONS

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• Ongoing Commissioning• The importance of “persistence”

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:ALIGNING EXPECTATIONS

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• Updated schematics• Updated sequences of operation• A better understanding of building systems• Updated troubleshooting tools (trend logs, training,

etc.)• Lower energy consumption

• HAPPIER, MORE SATISFIED TENANTS.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING:BENEFITS TO THE OWNER

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• LEED EB:OM Project• Constructed mid 60’s• Recent upgrades completed.• Documentation readily available• Recent energy audit.• ReCx lasted several months.• All proposed changes were presented to the owner

in the “Master List of Findings”

CASE STUDY:Downtown Office BuildingOttawa, ON

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CASE STUDY:Downtown Office BuildingOttawa, ON

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• Each “Energy Efficiency Measure” was presented as a line item to the owner.

• Individual measures then had an individual data sheet.

CASE STUDY:Downtown Office BuildingOttawa, ON

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CASE STUDY:Downtown Office BuildingOttawa, ON

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CASE STUDY:Downtown Office BuildingOttawa, ON

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CASE STUDY:Downtown Office BuildingOttawa, ON

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• Recent upgrades meant opportunities were limited.• Many items identified were able to be implemented

by O&M staff immediately.• Three follow-up meetings were provided to help

with the implementation of remaining measures and to review questions.

CASE STUDY:Downtown Office BuildingOttawa, ON

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• Motivated by tenant complaints• MH had recently completed a Building Condition

Assessment.• We assisted with the initial gathering of information

for an RFP.• The majority of the BAS was replaced.• More efficient HVAC sequences• Easier to use graphics• The client received incentive funding• Client copied the process for other buildings on

their campus.

CASE STUDY:Tech Sector BuildingOttawa, ON

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• ReCx included a major retrofit of the building.• The project started as a water audit.• We were then engaged for Retro-Commissioning• A list of Capital Improvements was created and

reviewed with the owner.

CASE STUDY:Provincial Government Building Peterborough, ON

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CASE STUDY:Provincial Government Building Peterborough, ON

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CASE STUDY:Provincial Government Building Peterborough, ON

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• Became a Capital Retrofit project.• New chillers installed• BAS replaced• Ventilation upgrade to improve IAQ• VAV controllers replaced• Air and Water re-balancing• Greywater

CASE STUDY:Provincial Government Building Peterborough, ON

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• Winner of a 2016 Consulting Engineers of Ontario Award of Excellence

• First government building to achieve LEED EB:OM Platinum

CASE STUDY:Provincial Government Building Peterborough, ON

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REFERENCES

• ASHRAE Journal February 2011 – Capturing the Potential – Evan Mills

• ASHRAE Journal September 2007 – Existing Building Commissioning – Jim Poulos

• CSA Standard Z320-11 Building Commissioning• Building Commissioning Association – Best Practices• Piping/HVAC – Retro-Commissioning Opportunities Dec/Jan 2012• Canmet ENERGY – Re-commissioning Guide for Building Owners

(adapted from PECI Retro Commissioning Guide for Building Owners)

• ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 “The Commissioning Process”

PRESENTED BY:

STEVEN MOGRIDGE, P.ENG, CEM, CMVP, LEED AP

RETROCOMMISSIONING

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

ACROSS CANADA

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10

1510

6

2

1

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2

2

6

1

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61

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GREEN BUILDING CONSULTING

500+2000+$70B+

LEED Certified Projects

Successful Commissioning Projects

Assets Under Management Influenced By Our Sustainability Insights

True Story:Sir Wilfrid Laurier BuildingLEED Gold Pursuit

True Story:Sir Wilfrid Laurier Building

Savings Identified:

- O&M Measures

- 5% Energy Reduction- 3 Month Simple Payback

- Retrofit Measures

- 23% Energy Savings- 5 Year Simple Payback

ReCx Findings

29% ENERGY REDUCTION

5 year SIMPLE PAYBACK

ReCx O&M Key Findings

With Cadillac Fairview

- Synchronize AHU and Reheat Coil Control

- Economizer Refinement

- Scheduling Fan Operation

- Setpoint Adjustments

True Story:Sir Wilfrid Laurier Building

True Story:Holland CrossLEED -EB Gold Certified

True Story:Holland Cross

Savings Identified:O&M Measures (14%)

- 14% Energy Reduction- 6 Month Simple Payback

Retrofit Measures (8% Savings)

- 8% Energy Reduction- 4 Year Simple Payback

ReCx Findings

22% ENERGY REDUCTION

4 year SIMPLE PAYBACK

ReCx O&M Key Findings

With Cadillac Fairview

- Unoccupied Control - Sensor Repair- Fresh Air Adjustment - Reprioritize Heating

Sequence

True Story:Holland Cross

True Story:275 SlaterLEED – Silver Pursuit

True Story:275 Slater

Savings Identified:- O&M Measures

- 5% Energy Savings- 1 Year Simple Payback

- Retrofit Measures

- 4% Energy Savings- 5 Year Simple Payback

ReCx Findings

9% ENERGY REDUCTION

4 year SIMPLE PAYBACK

ReCx O&M Key Findings

With Cadillac Fairview

- Refine Free Specialty Cooling

- AHU Setpoint Adjustments

- Unoccupied Space Temperature Control

True Story:275 Slater

QUESTIONS?

CONTINUOUS COMMISSIONING:MAINTAINING PERFORMANCE AFTER RETROCOMMISSIONING June 28, 2016

WHAT IS CONTINUOUS COMMISSIONING

Performing the commissioning process on an ongoing basisMaintain performance of the building achieved through retro-commissioningMaintain the design intent and the Owner’s operating requirements

May 2, 2023 Page 72

TEAM EFFORT

May 2, 2023 Page 73

Building Operato

r

Manage-ment

Champion

RCx Consultant

BAS Contractor

Mechanical

Contractor

SET TARGETS FOR ENERGY/WATER REDUCTION

Management supportCustomize target to buildingReasonable and achievableRetrocommissioning reportBenchmark against similar buildings and historical performanceEnergy auditRevisit targets every year

May 2, 2023 Page 74

GET UTILITY ANALYSIS TO THE TEAM

Regular review intervalsConsumption and cost for all utilitiesKPI – kWh/sq.ft, litres/sq.ft.Identify trends– Year over year comparison– Rolling 12-month averageNet out factors beyond your control – weather, tenant IT loadsKeep it simple

May 2, 2023 Page 75

GET UTILITY ANALYSIS TO THE TEAM

May 2, 2023 Page 76

REAL-TIME PERFORMANCE TRACKING

Collect pulses from meters and display on a dashboard in real timeAutomatically identifies the impact of changes to your building and BASImmediate feedback instead of waiting for monthly utility billsSimple overview with deep dive capability

May 2, 2023 Page 77

REAL TIME METERING – BIG PICTURE

7.9% better than same day last year

May 2, 2023 Page 78

REAL-TIME METERING – DEEPER DIVE

Make-up air unit loses weekend schedule

May 2, 2023 Page 79

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BAS

Make sure all staff are trained– BAS– HVAC systems– CommissioningSet access levels based on competency, comfort & roleRemote access for the teamKnow the terms of your service contract– Location of backups– Ongoing verification of end devices

May 2, 2023 Page 80

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BAS - CONTINUED

Set up trends– Not just 24 hours of data - storage is cheap – Automatic backup to front endSet up reports/queries on major energy users– Overrides– Minimum outdoor air damper positionConnect your documentation to your graphics

May 2, 2023 Page 81

OLD SCHOOL – MANUAL READINGS

Chiller logsMotor amperage tagsLog book of building changes– Emergency repairs– Construction projects– Changes to use of spaceTrack non-energy metrics– Comfort calls– Indoor air quality readingsIncorporate this info into the utility analysis

May 2, 2023 Page 82

CITY OF OTTAWA – BEEM GROUP

City’s dedicated resource for ongoing CxBenchmark and compare similar buildingsRegular review of monthly utility dataRemote access to over 100 BAS – 60 day review cycle– Systems in hand– Setbacks overridden– Sensors out of calibration– Setpoints outside of City’s recommended practice– Investigate changes with operator and provide support

May 2, 2023 Page 83

HOT WATER RESET STRATEGY

Heating demand is a representation of how many zones are in heating mode (0°C to 6°C)

May 2, 2023 Page 84

HOT WATER RESET STRATEGY

Assemble all rooms on one page for easy review

May 2, 2023 Page 85

SANDY HILL CC

May 2, 2023 Page 86

THE DETAILS

Ground Floor

Second Floor

North

THE DETAILS

Ground Floor

Second Floor

North

THE DETAILS

Ground Floor

Second Floor

North

IN CONCLUSION

Get management support and make it a priorityPut together a team with a champion to leadEmpower the team and the building operatorProvide the time and the tools (target, utility analysis, dashboard)Recognize & reward the results Make it a habit

May 2, 2023 Page 90

THANK YOU