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Getting a Better Performing Building: Commissioning and Real Time Data Analysis
Abstract
Commissioning of new construction
is becoming increasingly accepted as a
quality assurance tool to deliver
performance, reliability, and efficiency
in building systems. But what about
existing building stock? Does successful
commissioning of the construction
process ensure design performance
throughout the life of building systems?
If you believe that commissioning is the
key to acquiring a system that performs
as intended, what about building systems
that were never commissioned? Short of
a substantial system failure, can we
assume optimal performance? The
answer is no. Performance verification
requires a method of measurement.
For those practitioners who have
explored the commissioning of existing
facilities, the consensus persists that
existing buildings present energy saving
opportunities upwards of 25%1, while
reconciling mechanical system
performance shortfalls, occupant
comfort issues, and potential Indoor Air
Quality (IAQ) issues. The key to
identifying these lost savings is a
measurement plan based on real time
system operational data.
Because of the dynamic nature and
complexity of commercial building
HVAC systems, they are the perfect
target for periodic performance
assessments, or recommissioning.
Today's buildings are expected to supply
designed conditioning and ventilation
requirements as well as modulate to the
loads and schedules of a variety of end
use requirements throughout the
building. Evaluating that the HVAC
system is performing to load conditions
is critical to the operating needs of the
facility, and documenting that it meets
the designed performance standards and
the resulting energy use, and no more,
ensures efficient system performance.
The key to documenting system
performance is the ability to access and
analyze reliable system performance
data. This paper will utilize EH&E's
commissioning experience and methods
to explore the relationship between
HVAC system performance verification
and good Measurement and Verification
practice in both the commissioning of
new construction projects as well as
trouble shooting existing building
problems.
Citation
Barba, M. (2002). Getting a Better Performing Building: Commissioning and Real Time Data Analysis. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /5185.