Al LaPera, CxA, EMP, Kimley Horn, presents an article “Building Operational “Nirvana” Through Retro-commissioning” with Contracting Business.
Nirvana, by simple definition is “An ideal condition of rest, harmony, stability, or joy.”
You may be saying, “How can such a bold statement be made regarding the operation of an inanimate object?” Simple, it’s not one! A building is really very dynamic and complex in nature, constantly responding to its ever changing internal and external environments. So why retro-commissioning? Why not “just commission “it? I guess to understand that, we first need to understand commissioning (CX), and the various types, at its very core.
New building CX strives to assure a building operates as the design team envisioned, based on the operating guidelines put forth by the owner, on its intended use and operation. Retro-commissioning basically tunes up the building, so it is operating as the “initial” envisioned design intended, with no changes.
Retro-Commissioning (RCX) holistically looks at the building as it actually operates day to day in the “real world” —-not the theoretical assumed one on how it would! RCX is where energy management and commissioning join forces to improve a facilities operation, or where a ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audit comes to fulfil its destiny! So how do you get started or better yet how do I get there from here?
