Re-/Retro-commissioning: The Best Kept Secret You Can’t Afford Not to Know

Authors

  • J. Woody Thompson EIT, CEM, CBCP, CPMP, LEED AP BD+C
  • Ben Moore LEED GA

Abstract

Re- or retro-commissioning, the process of ensuring that an exist-
ing building’s performance continues to meet or exceed its design over
time, is increasingly the target of government policy and the beneficiary
of market forces. New federal, state, and local mandates, in conjunc-
tion with voluntary, market-based standards, are poised to transform
the marketplace. Having begun as an overlooked tool to ensure that
commercial building owners get their money’s worth from design and
construction professionals, commissioning is now known to be the most
cost effective measure available for reducing energy use, lowering costs,
and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. A recent meta-
analysis by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that re-/
retro-commissioning yields a median 16% energy savings with a payback
time of 1.1 years for a cash-on-cash return of 91%. Economy-wide, the
service has the potential to save building owners and operators more
than $30 billion a year in energy costs by 2030 [1]. Voluntary, market-
driven programs such as LEED®, Building EQ, and ENERGY STAR have
emerged in recent years and encompass the process of existing building
commissioning to varying degrees. Their rapidly growing popularity
widens awareness and implementation of re-/retro-commissioning.
Further, these standards are increasingly incorporated into state and
local policy. Most recently, local governments in New York City and San
Francisco have mandated re-/retro-commissioning in commercial build-
ing codes. These initiatives are the latest evidence of a trend towards
making commissioning a business-as-usual activity in the maintenance
and operation of buildings. As a result of recent market trends, as well
as government policy aimed at capturing the benefits of commission-

Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environmenting, the secret is out. Continuing to overlook this cost effective quality assurance tool could not only be unlawful, but bad business

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Author Biographies

J. Woody Thompson, EIT, CEM, CBCP, CPMP, LEED AP BD+C

J. Woody Thompson has a professional record of excellence in the construction industry in several specialized roles. Mr. Thompson accumulated 11 years of experience with an AABC-certified test and balance firm. He has spent the last seven years in the realm of HVAC design, total building commissioning, and energy management. This phase has led him to a recognized position with an industry-leading full service architecture and engineering firm. In his extensive career, Mr. Thompson has amassed experience in LEED and commissioning project management. He holds commissioning, energy management, renewable energy, and LEED credentials and certifications. His project experience includes services for DoD, GSA, and other federal and commercial facilities; project management, energy analysis and commissioning for LEED certification, and construction administration. He has affiliation and membership with USGBC, ASHRAE, AEE, and SAME professional organizations. He holds bachelor degrees in mechanical engineering and in criminal justice from The University of Texas at San Antonio. He may be contacted at woody.thompson@rsandh.com.

Ben Moore, LEED GA

Ben Moore is an energy and environmental planner with Reynolds, Smith and Hills (RS&H). His experience includes areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate change and sustainability policy, and program development and management for state and municipal governments. Prior to joining RS&H, Ben served as director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Coastal Conservation League. He has served as a technical advisor to the Charleston Green Plan and the South Carolina Climate, Energy, and Commerce Committee. Ben is a contributing author to the Convenient Guide to Climate Change Policy & Technology, published by the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. He holds a masters degree in environmental management from Duke University, as well as a Certificate in Energy and the Environment and a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College. He can be reached at ben.moore@rsandh.com.

References

Mills, Evans; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, “A Golden Opportunity for

Reducing Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions”; July 2009

Portland Energy Conservation Inc. (PECI); National Conference on Building Com-

missioning; “History of Commissioning”; 2010

ASHRAE; “The Commissioning Process 0-2005”; March 2005

PECI; “A Retro-commissioning Guide for Building Owners”; 2007

Schwarzenegger, Arnold; Governor of the State of California

The New York City Council, Int.0967-2009; “Article 308: Energy Audits and Retro-

Commissioning Ordinance”; December 2009

San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association; 2010

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Published

2023-07-11

How to Cite

Thompson, J. W. ., & Moore, B. . (2023). Re-/Retro-commissioning: The Best Kept Secret You Can’t Afford Not to Know . Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment, 31(2), 49–66. Retrieved from https://journals.riverpublishers.com/index.php/SPEE/article/view/19827

Issue

2011: Vol 31 Iss 2 2011-2012

Section

Articles