Retro-commissioning, or RCx, is the systematic application of the commissioning process to an existing building to improve performance, increase occupant comfort, and reduce energy costs. RCx is a highly effective, economical approach that brings MEP systems back to design intent and usually results in substantial energy savings.
The best candidates for retro-commissioning, naturally, are older buildings that have undergone operational changes over the years, resulting in poor efficiency, or were never properly commissioned to begin with. Space is converted or reconfigured, and equipment is added or patch-repaired. With today’s complex control systems, small problems can trickle down and degrade building operations. Settings are improperly changed or circumvented, or never properly programmed to begin with, and instruments go out of calibration. Newer buildings can benefit from retro-commissioning, as well, if unaddressed deficiencies are present from the start.
Omni’s retro-commissioning program starts by identifying systems to be analyzed and developing a plan specific to the facility. Documentation is examined to determine design intent, followed by monitoring and testing of building systems including fire and emergency systems, electrical, control systems, sequence of operation, occupied times, etc. Deficiencies are identified, repairs, changes and improvements are made, and results are verified. Finally, the client is instructed on how to sustain optimal efficiency. Average energy savings following RCx range between 10-15%, and even as high as 20%, and payback typically occurs in about one year.
About Omni
Omni Instrumentation Services, Inc. is a premier instrumentation and electrical contractor, providing superior total care solutions since 1986. Services include instrument installation, tubing installation, instrument calibration, control loop testing, startup and commissioning, power and lighting, process control wiring, BMS wiring, telecommunications and data wiring, fire alarm wiring, security wiring, process network wiring, and control panel fabrication. Omni Instrumentation Services, Inc. is certified in Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, DeviceNet and ASI-Bus installation.