Every facility's mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems experience typical wear and tear. If left unchecked, simple wear and tear can lead to complex issues resulting in higher energy and utility costs and uncomfortable building occupants.

However, building managers and operations personnel can proactively support the sustainable, sound operation of owners' investments by employing regular ongoing commissioning.

This presentation by two senior commissioning authorities for Gresham Smith dives into the concept of ongoing commissioning, which involves continuously monitoring and optimizing building performance through investigation, analysis, and monitoring of building systems.

There are three primary reasons for engaging in ongoing commissioning: enhancing occupant comfort, reducing environmental impact, and most notably, achieving monetary savings, which is a compelling factor for building owners.

Before initiating ongoing commissioning efforts, it's crucial to establish a baseline of the building's current performance. Benchmarking tools like Energy Star can help.

To illustrate the importance of commissioning, presenters Joe Crowe and Gabe Peer discuss an 11-story, 312,500-square-foot corporate headquarters office building in Nashville, Tennessee, which has been undergoing ongoing commissioning for over 15 years.

This facility features a complex HVAC system, including chilled water systems, medium-pressure air handling units, and electric reheat. The complexity of HVAC systems like this often correlates with potential utility cost savings.

In this instance, annual savings resulting from ongoing commissioning reach $3.4 million cumulatively. This substantial return on investment easily justifies the ongoing commissioning fee, estimated at $30,000 annually.

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