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Retro-Commissioning

 
Type
Business
 
Category
 
Incentive
Available
  • Building Controls/Energy Mgmt.
  • Lighting
  • Sustainability

A pre-qualified retro-commissioning engineering firm evaluates how your mechanical equipment, lighting and related controls operate and function together. Suggested improvements are supported with sustainable energy management strategies.

Additional Details

As your building ages and its occupants change, it is important to review your building’s control strategies and operating procedures. Malfunctioning and outdated control logic can cause a building’s management system (BMS) to use more energy and prevent it from operating at peak performance. Retro-commissioning (RCx) allows you to identify energy- savings in existing commercial and industrial buildings by improving the BMS’s operation.

The Retro-Commissioning program helps get this process off to a smooth start and provides financial incentives and technical advice.

What is Retro-Commissioning?

When a new building is initially commissioned, it undergoes an assurance process that is conducted at the end of construction. Commissioning demonstrates that the new building operates as designed, with all systems working together at peak efficiency. Retro-commissioning is a similar systematic process that seeks to improve how the equipment and systems function together in an existing building. Depending on the age of the building, retro-commissioning can often resolve problems that occurred during design or construction or address problems that have developed throughout the building's life. Overall, retro-commissioning improves operations and maintenance procedures to enhance overall building performance.

Retro-commissioning is a cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs and peak demand. Since it focuses primarily on energy-using existing equipment and on low-cost improvements, it is usually more cost-effective than installing new equipment. In addition, given that a full understanding of a building’s energy using systems is essential to a proper retro-commissioning project, it is an ideal time to determine how best to limit peak energy use within a building. Retro-commissioning identifies non-essential loads that can be “shed” in times of peak energy use. As such, retro-commissioning is a cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings, reduce peak demand and provide increased owner satisfaction.

Using O&M tune-up activities and diagnostic testing, the process addresses root causes. Retro-commissioning is not a substitute for major repair work. Repairing major problems is a must before retro-commissioning can be fully completed.

A complete retro-commissioning process includes:

  • A screening activity to identify candidate buildings on your properties
  • A survey that results in a retro-commissioning investigation plan
  • An investigation including diagnostic monitoring
  • A retro-commissioning report that identifies O&M strategies for achieving energy efficiency and demand responsiveness opportunities
  • Implementation of selected retro-commissioning improvements
  • Applying persistence measures to ensure operational performance and savings

Retro-commissioning allows you to improve your building systems so they operate efficiently, effectively and reliably over time.

Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information. 

Steps to Take Smart Energy Action

Step 1

To get started, contact your utility. Utility energy engineers will collaborate with you and a pre-qualified retro-commissioning engineering firm. The firm will use targeted functional tests and a building management system trend analysis to survey, investigate and provide recommendations for energy-efficient improvements (electric, gas and oil) at your facility.

Click the link to your utility below:

Eversource     UI

Step 2

The program uses a financial incentive strategy for the investigation and implementation phases.  For the investigation, the selected approved engineering firm conducts an in-depth analysis of the building management system and associated HVAC and lighting equipment. They develop a master list of proposed energy-efficiency measures, including projected costs, savings and payback and an implementation report.

Step 3

The implementation report serves as a plan for moving forward with measure implementation. The utility program administrator will prepare an agreement for your signature prior to implementing your retro-commissioning plan. The agreement will detail all energy-efficient measures, estimated savings and estimated incentive amounts. The agreement must be signed by you and your utility prior to installing the identified measures. To see the current implementation incentive structure, visit your utility’s website.

Step 4

Training sessions for building operators and facility managers are also part of the program to facilitate ongoing maintenance and ensure lasting improvements. The retro-commissioning team works with facility operators to establish clear documentation of the new control strategies and helps incorporate them into ongoing maintenance procedures.

Step 5

After the project is completed and training is conducted, the measures are verified and you receive your incentive payment.

Examples of energy efficiency opportunities that arise during retro-commissioning include:

  • Optimizing fresh air economizer operations
  • AHU supply fan static pressure
  • Reheat and variable air volume control sequences
  • Condenser water temperatures
  • Variable frequency drives for pumps and fans
  • Building management system operation sequence - confirmation to meet current scheduling requirements
  • Review of humidity set point ranges for data centers
  • Demand-based ventilation system improvements and validation
  • Chiller discharge temperature – automation of reset
  • Free-cooling control sequence improvements
  • Electric unit heaters –  addition of control schemes
  • Identification and elimination of simultaneous heating and cooling situations

Start saving energy and money using your existing capital equipment.

Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information. 

Eversource and UI customers on a commercial or industrial rate can participate in electric energy-efficient measures. CNG, SCG or Eversource customers on a firm commercial or industrial rate can participate in natural gas energy-saving measures.

The program is ideal for commercial buildings, municipal offices and schools.

Buildings must be:

  • Pre-screened and submit an application
  • Over 100,000 square feet (may be aggregated)
  • Have building energy management system with trending capability
  • Have a current ENERGY STAR® benchmark

Many types of businesses can benefit:

  • Manufacturing 
  • Retail stores
  • Municipal offices
  • Commercial buildings
  • Office buildings
  • Schools

Starting the process is easy. Just contact the utility energy engineer listed on your utility’s website or call 877-WISE-USE to start the process. Click the link to your utility below:

Eversource       UI  

If you are a Connecticut business and are not served by one of the utilities listed above, please visit your utility’s website to see what energy efficiency programs are available to you. Please click here for information on how to contact your municipal utility.

Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information. 

Commercial Multifamily Properties

 
Type
Business
 
Category
  • Appliances & Electronics
  • Energy Assessment (Audit)
  • Heating & Cooling
  • Hot Water
  • Insulation
  • Lighting
  • Rebates

Reduce energy and operating costs and make the multifamily property you own or manage more comfortable and environmentally friendly with the Multifamily Initiative.

Additional Details

This program provides customized solutions for multifamily buildings or complexes with five or more units, and includes:

  • Assistance with energy efficiency upgrade projects already planned
  • An assessment of your building's energy-saving opportunities
  • Resources to support in-depth assessment of a full range of strategies for further improvements including solar and other renewable energy, as well as health and safety measures
  • Incentives and financing for energy efficiency upgrades

Provide your contact information and any project information with this application. For energy efficiency projects, submit it to your electric utility company. For renewable energy and/or financing  projects only, submit your application to the Green Bank. If your application is for both energy efficiency and renewable energy or financing, submit it to both your electric utility and the Green Bank.

Eversource     UI     Connecticut Green Bank

At this point, if you already have an energy efficiency or renewable energy project, additionally submit any project proposal(s) and a completed Project Form to your electric utility company (for energy efficiency projects) and to the Connecticut Green Bank (for projects including renewable energy and/or financing). After we’ve helped you address this proposal, if you’d like to evaluate your property in a more holistic way, follow the steps below.

Need help designing your project?

Once you’ve completed Step 1 above, a utility or Green Bank representative (as appropriate) will contact you. A professional consultant or in-house representative is available to visit your property to identify the cost-effective energy improvement opportunities that make the most sense for your property. Technical and financial assistance is available through the Multifamily Initiative for a wide variety of design and predevelopment tasks, including: 

Potential Measures Assessed Technical & Financial Assistance Available
  • Air sealing
  • Domestic hot water saving measures
  • Energy-efficient lighting
  • Insulation
  • Windows
  • High-efficiency heating, ventilation or air conditioning
  • ENERGY STAR® appliances
  • High-efficiency water heating systems
  • Energy saving control strategies on building equipment
  • Solar PV and other renewable energy systems
  • Energy benchmarking
  • Green design and charrettes
  • Assessment of capital improvements 
    (including green physical needs assessments (PNAs))
  • Assessments of energy-related health and safety issues
  • Designing, engineering, and bidding work
  • Predevelopment loans
  • Financial packaging

Using the recommendations from the energy assessment and any technical assistance you select, design and price a comprehensive project that will maximize your energy savings, as well as the incentives and financing you will receive.

If your project qualifies based on your submitted proposals, plans, specifications, and pricing, you will receive a commitment of incentive dollars and, if requested, an offer for financing the balance of the project cost. You can also provide your own financing or explore one of these sources. After construction and required inspections are complete, incentives are paid.

It is recommended that owners track utility use and verify that equipment is working properly during the warranty period and beyond.

Existing properties of five or more residential units may be eligible for the Multifamily Initiative. 

The following types of properties are eligible:

  • Apartment buildings and complexes
  • Condominiums and co-operatives
  • Congregate and senior housing
  • Mixed-use residential and commercial properties

Questions? Contact your utility or the Connecticut Green Bank using a link below:

Eversource     UI     Connecticut Green Bank

If you are a Connecticut resident and are not served by one of the utilities listed above, please visit your municipal utility's website to see what energy efficiency programs are available to you. The Connecticut Green Bank provides renewable energy programs and financing to all Connecticut municipalities

 

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