Energy-efficient building designs and components will only save
energy and money if they are functioning as intended. Building commissioning
is critical to ensuring that a new health care facility and the
systems within it perform in accordance with the design intent and
contract documents.
Equally important is the development of a strategic operation
and maintenance (O&M) program that specifically targets energy
efficiency and performance. This ensures that initial energy savings
become ongoing savings. In existing health care buildings, a well-crafted
O&M program can save 5% to 20% on energy bills without a significant
capital investment.
Building Commissioning Ensures Proper Function
The process of building commissioning involves systematically
evaluating all pieces of equipment to ensure that they are working
according to specifications. This includes measuring temperatures
and flow rates from all heating and cooling system devices and calibrating
all sensors to a known standard. It also involves reviewing the
sequence of operations to verify that the controls are providing
the correct interaction between equipment.
Building commissioning activities include:
- Engaging a commissioning authority and team
- Documentation
- Verification procedures, functional performance tests, and validation
- Training
The benefits of building commissioning reach far beyond ongoing
energy savings to include improved thermal comfort and indoor air
quality. Improved system function eases the building turn-over from
contractor to owner, and with proper documentation, building owners
and managers see improved operation and maintenance.
For more in-depth information on building
commissioning, or to see a 
Commissioning Activities and Documentation Checklist, visit
the Building Toolbox section of this site.
Strategic O&M Programs Optimize Energy Performance
Well-crafted O&M programs targeting building energy performance
can save 5% to 20% on energy bills without a significant capital
investment. These programs include routine, preventive, and predictive
actions.
To create an effective O&M program:
- Ensure that up-to-date operational procedures and manuals are
available.
- Obtain up-to-date documentation on all building systems, including
system drawings.
- Implement preventive maintenance programs complete with maintenance
schedules and records of all maintenance performed for all building
equipment and systems.
- Create a well-trained maintenance staff and offer professional
development and training opportunities for each staff member.
- Implement a monitoring program that tracks and documents building
systems performance to identify and diagnose potential problems
and track the effectiveness of the O&M program. Include cost
and performance tracking in this analysis.
For more in-depth information on energy-smart Operations
and Maintenance and measuring your building's energy performance,
visit the Building Toolbox section of this site. Another helpful
guide is the Fifteen
O&M Best Practices for Energy Efficient Buildings (PDF 1.2 MB),
which offers strategies to help facility managers and energy managers
integrate energy-efficient operations into their O&M programs.
ENERGY
STAR for Healthcare has interactive tools
to help you track and manage your energy use.
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