Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning (RCx)
# Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning (RCx)
Optimizing Existing Building Systems
Over years of operation, building mechanical and control systems naturally drift away from their original design specifications. Valves get stuck open, sensors lose calibration, heating and cooling systems run simultaneously, and Building Automation System (BAS) overrides are left in place permanently.
This operational drift leads to high energy waste, comfort complaints, and premature equipment wear, even in relatively new buildings.
E3 provides professional Retro-Commissioning (RCx) services to analyze, test, and tune your existing mechanical and electrical systems, restoring them to peak efficiency without the high cost of full equipment replacement.
What is Retro-Commissioning (RCx)?
Unlike new construction commissioning, which verifies that systems are installed correctly from day one, Retro-Commissioning is a systematic process for optimizing existing facilities:
- Focus on Low-Cost / No-Cost Fixes: RCx focuses primarily on programming adjustments, sensor calibrations, air balancing, and sequence changes.
- Rapid Return on Investment: Because RCx does not require major capital equipment purchases, projects typically pay for themselves in energy savings within 6 to 18 months.
Our Commissioning and RCx Services
### 1. Functional System Testing Our commissioning agents perform hands-on testing of your central chiller plants, boilers, air handlers, and terminal units, verifying that dampers open and close fully, valves modulate correctly, and fan speeds scale as intended.
### 2. BAS Code and Sequence Audits We audit your Building Automation System (BAS) programming code to locate and remove:
- Temporary manual overrides that were left in place permanently.
- Inefficient scheduling parameters (e.g., ventilation running on weekends).
- Simultaneous heating and cooling commands in the same zones.
### 3. Sensor and Thermostat Calibration Inaccurate temperature, humidity, and CO2 sensors lead to excessive heating or cooling. We calibrate or replace faulty sensors throughout your facility network to ensure accurate control feedback.
### 4. Hydronic and Air Balancing Reviews We test water and air distribution loops to identify imbalance issues that cause hot and cold zones, adjusting flows to ensure comfortable, even coverage.
### 5. Detailed RCx Action Reports We provide a transparent, itemized report listing:
- All identified operational discrepancies.
- Proposed corrective measures (low-cost vs. capital-intensive).
- Estimated energy savings and implementation costs for each measure.
Sizing the Business Case for RCx
According to studies by the Department of Energy, retro-commissioning delivers median energy savings of 15% in commercial and public buildings. E3 packages RCx under performance contracts or helps public entities secure state funding, such as SECO energy efficiency study grants, to cover the initial audit costs.
Turnkey Design-Build Sourcing
E3 handles the entire commissioning process: 1. Investigation Phase: Reviewing building documentation, historical utility bills, and running functional tests. 2. Implementation Phase: Repairing stuck dampers, replacing faulty sensors, reprogramming control logic, and balancing flows. 3. Measurement and Verification (MandV): Tracking utility bills post-project to document and prove the energy savings. 4. Cooperative Procurement: Pre-approved on BuyBoard and TIPS, E3 helps public entities bypass standard bidding, fast-tracking optimization.