Retro commissioning is commissioning for an existing building. Whereas testing and balancing of the mechanical system is a requirement for new construction in California, it is not required of a new system being installed in an existing building. Retro commissioning starts with the testing and balancing that may have never been performed on an existing building. In addition, retro commissioning tests the performance of the entire electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and ventilation systems.
The retro commissioning process starts in LEED O+M by performing an ASHRAE Level I Energy Audit. This audit identifies low-cost or no-cost opportunities in the building. If the LEED O+M or EBOM project elects to pursue the further investigation and analysis, implementation, and ongoing commissioning there are up to 6 points to be gained, not to mention a serious return on investment on older buildings. Investigation and analysis undertakes the ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit that looks at some of the larger and more intensive capital outlays. It provides these in a ranking order of return on investment.
The Portola Hotel & Spa elected to pursue these credits. The retro commissioning agent Axiom Engineers was able to provide them with low-cost or no-cost opportunities as well as long range capital improvements. As a result, the Portola Hotel & Spa saved $20,000 in the first quarter of implementation and was able to improve its Energy Star Performance benchmark to a level that not only attained the minimum requirements of LEED, but gained two (2) points above that level.
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