Alliance-led workshop explores tune-ups in federal buildings
While recess and impending reelections slow progress in Congress, the federal government strives to become the nation’s greatest leader-by-example in building energy efficiency. To help reduce the federal government’s energy consumption, speakers at a May workshop on efficiency in new and existing buildings explored advances in commissioning, a tool that already sits in the government's tool belt.
Big consumption, ambitious goals in the federal government
The federal government is the nation’s largest energy consumers: In 2005, the federal government was responsible for 1.6 percent of U.S. energy use. Buildings ate up one-third of the federal government's energy consumption, which went to heat, cool, and power the nation’s 500,000 federal buildings and facilities. But the government is making strides toward greater energy efficiency.
In recent years, the federal government, supported by numerous laws and executive orders, has worked to systematically reduce its energy use in buildings and all end-use sectors. In October 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13514, which would require federal buildings to meet increasingly stringent energy efficiency and sustainability targets, including a 15 percent penetration of specific energy and water performance guidelines by 2015 and a new net zero-energy performance goal for all new buildings by 2030. More on federal energy consumption and EO 13514.
A promising tactic for ongoing energy savings
As the federal government works diligently to meet energy use targets, a promising but under-utilized strategy is gaining traction: building commissioning. Commissioning describes the process of building “tune-ups” that ensure new and existing building systems are installed, tested, operated and maintained to meet performance specifications. According to the Department of Energy, building commissioning has the potential to save 15 to 30 percent of energy use through improved operations and maintenance.
The execution and outcomes of commissioning in both public and private sectors have been mixed so far, with inconsistent performance and standards. Often, building owners use commissioning as a one-off fix without adequate attention to ongoing maintenance and building operator training. As a result, building energy performance regularly degrades over time, missing a vast potential for energy efficiency savings.
Workshop on Building Commissioning
The Alliance to Save Energy and the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings held a one-day workshop to explore the current state and potential of building commissioning on May 21, 2010, in Washington, D.C. The event was co-sponsored by The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
The workshop brought together federal and private sector managers with responsibilities for building construction and operations as well as builders, engineers, academics and other experts to discuss opportunities, resources, impediments and technical advances in commissioning. Participants identified the need for training, certifications and standards as critical to the success of building commissioning. They also pointed to the importance of providing building operators with training and incentives as well as engaging building occupants to understand their needs.
Workshop participants also discussed how technology and training could improve building commissioning by converting the practice of periodic commissioning and as-needed maintenance into a system of ongoing commissioning with continuous optimization of building systems. Such changes could lead to greater energy savings; environmental performance; and occupant health, safety, comfort and productivity.
A full workshop report including presentations and discussion, is available online.
