09 Aug Difference Between Energy Audits and Retro Commissioning

New York has introduced a diverse set of laws to attain sustainability and make the city a greener place for inhabitation. Among them, Local Law 87 New York requires owners of properties spanning over 50,000 sq ft to come up with an Energy Efficiency Report at an interval of every 10 years. This document needs to incorporate the outcomes of retro-commissioning and energy audits performed by a professional. 

Property owners often get confused between these two processes and find them to be the same thing despite all the prominent differences. Dive into this article to get a detailed explanation of these two services and how they are different from one another. 

Understanding an Energy Audit

Every building comes with different power requirements. An energy audit involves checking and inspecting the energy usage of a property. This helps optimize all systems that are dependent on electricity. Lowering electricity consumption to bring down utility bills remains a primary objective of this process. But it also ensures that nothing is done at the cost of human comfort. 

The purpose of these inspections can be as follows:

• Documentation of system operation for efficiency and cost benefits
• Lowering operational risks and spiking asset value
• Addressing code issues
• Detecting and resolving maintenance issues
• Reducing occupant complaints to enhance tenant satisfaction

A Detailed Overview of an Energy Audit

A typical energy audit can be classified into two different steps. They are as follows:

• Walk-Through Analysis: Inspection and Interview

The auditor performs various inspections all over the property. They will talk to owners and occupants. The purpose of this step is to identify all opportunities for saving electricity. Usually, this step goes on for two to four hours. 

• Energy Survey: Reporting and Execution

After the first step, the auditor develops a detailed report of corners with problematic power usage. Next, they offer recommendations based on the tendency and usage patterns of occupants. 

Energy Audit Benefits

Inspecting the power consumption trends and patterns is beneficial for all properties. An energy audit NYC will help figure out whether an HVAC system needs repairs or upgrades. A professional auditor points out the areas where power is wasted so that owners can look for ways of improvement to bring down costs. 

It involves fixing heating leaks and improving cooling for better insulation within indoor spaces. Another benefit of an energy audit is better air quality through the improvement of air conditioning and ventilation. Paying attention to areas with faulty heating or cooling areas can also increase the durability of a building. 

Energy prices keep increasing with time. In such a situation, energy-efficient properties can acquire a high value in the real estate market. A little investment in hiring audit professionals now can translate into considerable cost advantages in the long run. 

The Concept of Retro-Commissioning

The building commissioning process ensures that systems and equipment meet specific objectives and criteria. This procedure related to construction is essential for sign-offs and permits. This is done to guarantee that all mechanical systems of new construction projects comply with the approved plans and specifications. 

But what is retro-commissioning? It is the same process but for existing building systems. The retro-commissioning procedure guarantees that all power setups perform according to the Current Facility Requirements (CFR).  It provides access to tools that help in supporting the continuous enhancement of the performance of a property through budget-friendly Facility Improvement Measures (FIMs). 

Also Read: Importance of Hiring a Retro-Commissioning Agent for NYC Building Owners

Advantages of Retro-Commissioning

This important step can enhance efficiency and bring down electricity costs. Additionally, it delivers a better environment for all occupants. LED lightings are commonly implemented retrofits because they are perfectly capable of doing their jobs using less power than incandescent bulbs. Moreover, they are durable for a longer period, ensuring you can save on repair and maintenance costs. 

These lights generate less heat to keep indoor spaces cooler and bring down air conditioning bills. They can also be programmed to emit an appropriate amount of light during working and unoccupied hours. This is a more strategic approach toward lowering electricity costs by minimizing usage during non-working hours. 

So, let’s take a look at the benefits of retro-commissioning services:

• Greater operational efficiency of building systems
• Extended lifetime of power equipment
• Higher productivity and comfort for occupants in an establishment
• Significant capital-saving opportunities through a list of recommendations
• Documentation of building system conditions and deficiencies
• Lower carbon footprint to meet sustainability requirements

Does Your Building Need Retro-Commissioning?

Between commissioning and retro-commissioning, the latter is useful for already established structures. You will have to invest in retro-commissioning if your property falls under of these:

• It was not commissioned or retro-commissioned in the past.
• The systems in the establishment never seem to work properly. 
• Operating costs of the property have significantly gone higher. 
• The property has undergone renovation or expansion. 
• Occupants are complaining about changes in temperature. 
• The owners are now using the establishment for purposes other than those it was used for earlier. 

Key Differences Between Retro-Commissioning and Energy Audits

Both processes focus on making existing establishments more efficient in terms of electricity consumption. However, understanding their differences is crucial to understanding when you need to invest in which measure. 

An energy audit acts as a significant assessment for supplying evidence regarding the reduction of power consumption in properties. However, it is not about implementing modifications or adjusting the equipment settings in reality. 

On the other hand, proactiveness is the chief characteristic of the retro-commissioning procedure. It revolves around collecting data from energy audits to modify existing systems for optimized performance and reduction of electricity wastage. While an energy audit simply reveals where you can save money, retro-commissioning guarantees that the necessary changes are implemented in reality. 

Summing up

In simple words, audits inspect the energy consumption limits and patterns of an establishment to suggest measures for cost savings. On the other hand, retro-commissioning is for ensuring that a property is operating as per original design regulations and desired usage. If you need energy audit and retro-commissioning services, contact professionals at The Cotocon Group.