The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released results of a study on building commissioning that found a median energy savings from 3% to 16%, depending on building type.
The study examined the cost of commissioning and resulting energy savings of 1,500 North American buildings across three decades. The study represents buildings totaling 34.7 million square meters (373 million sf) of floor area.
“Since 2009 the commissioning industry has continued to grow, driven by building codes, utility programs, and rising awareness of commissioning benefits,” the study notes. Over the course of the study, building controls have become more sophisticated, and analytics software has emerged to assist with commissioning.
Median primary energy savings for projects in existing buildings ranged from 5% for those conducted under utility programs, 9% for monitoring-based commissioning utility programs (e.g., augmented with submetering and diagnostics), and 14% for projects outside of utility programs.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2020
St. Louis is first Midwest city to pass building energy performance standard
Allows owners broad flexibility on how to achieve goals.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2020
Supreme Court says Georgia cannot copyright its entire official code
Ruling may have implications for other states claiming copyright for building codes.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
Strategies to reduce personal contact in multifamily properties
Design can improve health amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
Canada Green Building Council says building industry lacks zero-carbon skills, knowledge
Net-zero target requires shift in thinking and practices.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
California’s grid can support all-electric buildings
Load-shifting will help reduce peak demand.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2020
European cities to revamp transportation after pandemic reopening
Road closures, new rules for public transit will be imposed.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2020
Washington State construction industry restart plan has three phases
In state with earliest COVID-19 cases, advisory group developing priorities based on risk.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2020
More mass timber beam and column options available in the U.S.
Freres Lumber unveils new line of structural elements suitable for high-rise buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2020
Researchers flag insufficient training for construction workers on healthcare projects
May contribute to fungal disease outbreaks that endanger patients
Codes and Standards | May 8, 2020
New NIBS report evaluates natural disaster mitigation strategies
Document examines strengthening buildings for flood, wind, wildfires, and earthquakes.
