Energy Star tax creditsRecommissioning an existing building is a very valuable thing. It should be done by real estate owners periodically, not just when it comes time to find a new tenant or a buyer. Recommissioning is basically going over a building’s systems, one by one, checking design and installation, testing various components and operating parts. It often gets pretty deep into the controls of mechanical and electrical systems, as well as operating and maintenance procedures.
I have read twice in the past week about building recommissioning discoveries. One of the big ones is the oft common failure of HVAC controls to stay calibrated or responsive and energy wasted by this.
An obvious and common discovery is where the variable flow systems fall out of adjustment and no one notices. The evidence is mostly only noticed in the electricity bill. Hmmmm. Water pumps that were supposed to spend most operating hours running at or below 50% peak flow may end up running at 80% peak continously. Sure kills the energy efficiency and the idea of a green building , doesn’t it? This is common, and it represents a big chunk of real estate that can be improved. There are a lot of opportunities to recommission existing buildings. Building owners and managers should be aware of this potential problem in their properties and be ready to fight back with the right talent.
Tags: Energy, HVAC Operations
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[...] Go here to read the rest: Variable pumping that doesn’t vary? [...]
A little routine maintenance should fix the problem. I like geothermal systems because they eliminate these concerns.
I think it is fantastic how we are using renewable energy and going green in so many ways. I think we also need to do things like reducing our energy usage, like installing geothermal heat pumps to replace high energy heating and cooling systems.