Harnessing data to improve building performance

Roles of Technology in Retro-Commissioning: Leveraging Data for Better Building Performance

Modern buildings consume almost 40% of total energy. It has therefore never been more important to make them more energy efficient. That’s where retro-commissioning comes in – a step-by-step plan to significantly improve the performance of older buildings while reducing energy consumption.

Nowadays, improving the energy efficiency of old buildings has become a popular trend. This allows buildings to operate smarter and reduce energy costs. This article explains how technology contributes to the success of this project. Today, technology loans can help improve buildings and make them more energy efficient!

The importance of energy efficiency in modern buildings

In large cities like New York, buildings often consume enormous amounts of energy, resulting in a large carbon footprint. These metropolises are the source of more than three quarters of the bad gases that harm our planet.

However, we can improve the situation! By 2050, we can reduce air pollution by 80%. But for this to happen, buildings must consume less energy.

Technology can be extremely helpful in this regard. Thanks to special meters that tell us how much energy objects such as lights, heaters and machines use, we can better plan our buildings. Intuitive software uses this information to show us how to save energy. We can modify certain elements of buildings to use less energy and save money. This type of technology helps us take better care of our planet.

We can also use intelligent systems that control buildings. These systems know when people are inside and adjust the lights and temperature. Additionally, small things like using good gadgets and maintaining a pleasant climate in buildings can go a long way.

Energy savings are not only good for the Earth. It helps us when energy prices change and allows us to avoid depleting our energy sources. In addition, they make cities greener.

The power of retro-commissioning in building performance

Retro-commissioning is a kind of intelligent tuning for buildings. Instead of changing everything, we make sure that the machines, controls and their operation are in perfect condition.

This efficient process can reduce a building’s energy consumption by 5 to 30%. It's not nothing ! And guess what? It doesn’t take long for the money saved on energy to pay back the costs – just 0.5 to 3 years. So it’s a victory for building owners and for the planet.

So while it's not possible to replace all the old things, making buildings run smarter can be an effective way to save energy and make everyone happy.

Energy audits: The first step towards retroactive commissioning

Energy audits are something of a detective’s work for buildings. They allow us to study in depth how buildings use energy and find ways to improve things. In big cities like New York, they are very important. A rule called Local Law 87 states that buildings larger than 50,000 square feet must have such an audit. This establishes a starting point for saving energy.

During energy audits, experts carefully study how lighting, heating, cooling and machinery use energy. They identify places where energy is wasted. This detective work allows us to develop a return-to-service plan.

It’s about making improvements without changing everything. The information provided by audits tells building owners which changes will be most significant.

By tracking this information over time, we can see how much we are helping the planet by reducing harmful gases. It’s like a progress report for buildings and the environment! These audits are therefore the first step towards a greener and more efficient building.

Building Performance Standards: From Adoption to Implementation

To make large cities greener, like New York City which aims to reduce its emissions by 80%, we need plans that translate words into action. This is where rules like Local Law 97 come in. These rules limit bad glasses from large buildings – more than 50,000 of them! This is a big deal and the most important law in the world to combat building pollution.

But it is not enough to have rules. The key is to make them work in real life. This is where smart retrocommissioning comes in. It’s a plan to make buildings work better without changing everything. Instead of making costly changes, it's about making small fixes to the way things work.

These rules are therefore like guides allowing buildings to become cleaner and more efficient. They're like a roadmap, and retrocommissioning is the car that helps them get there without spending too much money. Together, they make a real difference in making our cities cleaner and happier.

Fault detection and diagnosis: Improve facility management

Harnessing new efficient tools, such as rooftop solar panels and smart power systems, may seem simple. However, managers need specific skills to ensure the systems operate properly. Automated fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) tools are invaluable in this regard.

FDD uses smart software to keep tabs on how things are working. This automated system monitors machines and gadgets and verifies that they are not malfunctioning. And the best? It detects problems in time, before they cause major problems or consume too much energy.

FDD detects problems, allows us to resolve them quickly, and ensures that everything is working correctly in certain respects. It’s like having a super-powered assistant who makes sure our electronics and utilities work smoothly!

The evolution of commissioning continues

Imagine if buildings could look after themselves and ensure they were always using energy wisely. This is what permanent commissioning (CP) does. At first, it was like a rule that said: “Check buildings to save energy!” “. Today, it is a secret weapon that saves energy year after year.

OCx is like a watchful eye that never rests. It closely monitors all elements of a building, such as lights, heaters and machines. If something goes wrong, OCx knows and sends a message to those responsible. And guess what? Today’s technology makes things much easier.

Today, smart sensors and nifty software search and inform us immediately.

The OCx is a guardian of buildings, ensuring that they are always in perfect condition to save energy.

Facilities Engineering: The Unsung Heroes of Energy Efficiency

You often hear about big projects to save the environment, but did you know that there are special people who make these projects come to fruition? These are the facilities and maintenance engineers who work in the shadows. In short, they are the superheroes of energy efficiency!

Sustainability goals are like a puzzle and these engineers help put the pieces together. Thanks to their special skills in recommissioning, they improve the operation of buildings in order to save energy. Even if it doesn't make the headlines, their work is very important.

Do you know how to tune a guitar so that it sounds perfect? Well, these engineers are fine-tuning buildings. They look at all the things that use energy, like lights, heaters and machines, and find ways to make them less energy-intensive. Like magic, their clever ideas help make our buildings cleaner and more respectful of the planet. So the next time you hear about energy savings, don’t forget these hidden heroes that make a huge difference!

The Building Performance Database: A Game Changer for Energy Management

The New York database on building performance constitutes a real innovation in the march towards greener horizons. Born from the need to tackle Local Law 97's emissions targets head-on, this database revolutionizes the way we understand energy consumption.

Imagine collecting energy data from different buildings and bringing it together in one place so everyone can see it. This is what this database does, which acts as a treasure trove of knowledge. By comparing building performance, we find out which changes make the biggest difference. In many ways, it’s like we have a roadmap to a cleaner city.

With this wealth of data, we can make informed decisions to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. This database allows us to navigate the complex sustainability landscape and move toward a more environmentally friendly future.

Monitoring-Based Commissioning: The Future of Building Management

There was a time when checking the operation of buildings was akin to a surprise test – done occasionally, but not often. Today, things are changing quickly! Building commissioning is akin to a building health check and benefits from cutting-edge tools and precise figures. This new method, called monitoring-based commissioning, is an improved version of the old method.

Imagine having a constant stream of tiny details about the condition of a building: that’s what tracking-based commissioning does. With this information, problems with building systems can be detected in time, before they cause damage.

As technology becomes smarter, this type of commissioning will become the norm for buildings, to ensure they always operate optimally. The future therefore consists of buildings that practically take care of themselves!

California's Energy Efficiency Plan: A Case Study Looking to the Future

Like New York, California's mission is to reduce harmful emissions by 80% by 2050. It has a smart plan called the Energy Efficiency Action Plan. ‘energetic efficiency). This plan involves using technology to make buildings consume less energy.

California shares data on how buildings use energy. By making this information public, she hopes smart companies will find even more efficient ways to save energy. At the same time, it also encourages investments in large projects that make buildings very energy efficient.

California is stepping up its energy efforts and showing the world how to make buildings run smarter and cleaner!

Main lessons

Through tools like smart meters and controls, buildings learn to use energy wisely. We use this intelligent information to find the best ways to help buildings save energy and money. It’s like we’re giving buildings a special boost called retro-commissioning.

This technology makes buildings greener and prepares them for a future where energy intelligence will be essential.