What is a Building Tune-Up and is it a good fit for my building?
Due to the high efficacy of a well-executed building tune-up process (technically named "retrocommissioning"), significant funding has been made available by several local utility incentive programs to implement Building Retrocommissioning projects in qualified buildings. Retrocommissioning is a systematic process that optimizes energy consumption and overall energy efficiency in an existing building in order to determine energy usage, identify energy-savings opportunities, and optimize the existing building systems.
By restoring targeted equipment, enhancing system operation, and assessing key measures for future capital and operational improvements, retrocommissioning can be an excellent method to reign in energy and operational spend, improve occupant comfort, maximize employee productivity, and implement effective planning for the future.
Key signs that retrocommissioning may be right for your property include...
- Regular occupant complaints and/or sporadic system operation.
- Consistent increases in energy and/or operational (RO&M) spend.
- An Energy Star Score Between 30 and 60.
- High Utility or operational cost despite infrastructure that is not yet due for replacement.
What are the available incentives?
Incentives vary across the region but are generally quite substantial for qualified buildings throughout Maryland. For most large properties, incentives will cover up to 75% of the cost of the entire retrocommissioning process (including some of the measures recommended as a result). Depending on the building's location and state of operation, these values could range from $15,000 for smaller properties to $0.25 per square foot for larger qualified assets in certain areas (like Montgomery and Prince George's County).
The process is equally effective in DC and Virginia, but utility incentives have not yet been approved in these areas.
Contact your era building solutions team today to learn more and find out if your building qualifies for Retrocommissioning Incentives.