Retro-Commissioning

Retro-Commissioning (RCx) is a systematic process for identifying less-than-optimal performance in your facility’s equipment, lighting and control systems and making the necessary adjustments.

Retro-Commissioning is primarily focuses on energy-using equipment and a low-no-cost improvements rather than expensive capital-intensive retrofit measures.

Local Law 87 requires energy audits and retro-commissioning of “base building systems” which includes, but is not limited to, the building envelope, HVAC systems, elevators and escalators, domestic hot water supply, and electrical and lighting systems.

Synergy’ Professional Engineers (PE) and Certified Energy Managers (CEM) are experts in performing investment grade Energy Audit and Retro-Commissioning. We have assisted multiple property owners to go beyond mandatory compliance with LL87 and used this opportunity to review property operations, identify inefficiencies and devise low to no-cost measures with immediate payback. When infrastructure upgrades are warranted and coincide with ownership goals, Synergy Engineering assists properties with specifying, implementing, inspecting and commissioning energy efficient upgrades, while attaining significant rebates from State and City Agencies.

Examples of successful Retro-Commissioning (RCx) measures with low to no-cost and immediate payback identified by Synergy Engineering are as follows:

  • Office Space: RCx process identified improper operation of Outdoor Air Economizer Controls (Free-Cooling) and excessive use of Electric Compressors.
  • High-Rise Office Building: RCx process identified improper staging and excessive pumping energy consumption of the chilled water distribution pumps.
  • Large University Campus: RCx process identified “hidden” pressure drops in the chilled water distribution system.
  • Large Hospital: RCx process identified simultaneous heating and cooling operation of air handling system.
  • Office Building: RCx process identified excessive hours of operation of lighting and HVAC equipment.
  • Educational Facility: RCx process identified sub-optimal settings for the hot water temperature reset.
  • Large University Campus: RCx process identified excessive Fan Static Pressure set points of the main air handling system.

Some of the low to no-cost strategies implemented by Synergy:

  • Optimum Start/Stop strategies
  • Air side Economizer settings and Control
  • Static pressure reset strategy
  • Variable Frequency Drives settings
  • Trimming pump impellers
  • Preventing simultaneous heating and cooling
  • Heat recovery
  • Optimize schedule for equipment and lights
  • Rebalancing
  • Night purge and pre-cooling
  • Temperature reset strategy
  • Equipment staging
  • Control sequences
  • Eliminating hidden pressure drops and restrictions to flow