OVERVIEW
Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying that a building’s systems operate as intended. This includes ensuring the final design and functionality match the owner’s requirements. Commissioned systems might include the following:
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HVAC
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lighting and daylighting
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domestic hot water
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renewable energy
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building envelope (BECx)
It can be done on new buildings or on existing buildings, in a process sometimes called retrocommissioning.
Commissioning is likely to yield 5%–10% improvements in energy efficiency by catching mistakes like missing or incorrectly installed equipment. It also helps avoid:
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occupant complaints and callbacks
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indoor air quality and thermal comfort problems
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premature equipment failure
- litigation
IN-DEPTH
Filter results:
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Verifying Performance with Building Enclosure Commissioning
November 29, 2012Feature Article
For a lot less than the cost of a lawsuit, BECx uses collaboration, design-to-occupancy reviews, and testing to ensure quality and high performance.
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Retrocommissioning: Big Savings for Big Buildings
September 29, 2010Feature Article
Retrocommissioning or RCx can be a valuable tool for commercial building owners. RCx addresses the same scope as new building commissioning but is performed on existing buildings. RCx can improve building performance, save energy and money-especially for large buildings.
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Cost-Effective Green Retrofits: Opportunities for Savings in Existing Buildings
March 26, 2009Feature Article
Between lighting, water use, mechanical systems, the building envelope, and occupant health, existing buildings are rife with cost-effective retrofits and operational opportunities that also offer environmental benefits. Improvements range from the painfully obvious to the more complex and involved.
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Measurement and Verification: Monitoring Building Systems for Optimal Performance
June 7, 2006Feature Article
Tracking the performance of a building's mechanical and electrical systems is essential for energy savings that persist over time. In this article, EBN explores measurement and verification and explains why demand for these systems is growing. We also explain the LEED® Rating System's evolving treatment of M&V.
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Going to School for Building Enclosure Commissioning
May 2, 2017Blog Post
What I learned from a University of Wisconsin course called “Commissioning Building Enclosure Assemblies and Systems”
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Building Enclosure Commissioning: Ensuring Durable and Energy-Efficient Buildings
April 4, 2017Primer
The building envelope is crucial for all other building systems. How can we use commissioning to make sure it performs?
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Owner’s Project Requirements: What It Is, What It Could Be
September 7, 2016Primer
Clients, designers, and commissioning agents don’t always get what they need out of the OPR. Some teams are trying to change that.
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We're a Long Way from Whole-Building Commissioning
January 18, 2013Op-Ed
In our pursuit of high performance, a reader notes, don't lose sight of the true goal: serving occupants.
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HOBO Data Loggers: No Longer Just for Researchers
October 26, 2012Product Review
Understanding how buildings work is becoming more and more important, and Onset Computer offers a wide range of HOBO data loggers to serve this need.
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Two Studies Analyze Green Building Performance
December 1, 2009News Analysis
Two post-occupancy studies of certified green buildings found that prioritizing energy efficiency in design leads to better performance, highlights inaccuracy of energy modeling.
