Application of Innovative Technologies for a Continuous Commissioning Case Study.

This article demonstrates the implementation of innovative technologies during continuous commissioning® (CC) practices to improve building operations and reduce energy costs. A 46-year-old typical-commercial building with a floor area of about 216,000 square feet was used as a case study building. The HVAC systems were upgraded and retrofitted in 2000. Variable frequency drives (VFDs) were installed for most of the fans and pumps. This CC project involved very minor HVAC retrofits and control upgrades. The new technologies include the fan airflow, station (FAS) technology for building pressure control and supplying fan control, and a recently developed pump water flow station for secondary pump control. The results show that these technologies improve building operation/maintenance and significantly reduce energy costs. The monthly average electricity savings for HVAC systems is 64 percent, and the average gas savings is 49 percent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]