Building Efficiency -Services

Our commissioning process is unique and more comprehensive than commissioning strategies of the past. We have formulated a methodology of commissioning buildings with our Whole Building 12-Point Performance Test. And we combine that with standard ASHRAE commissioning guidelines. Our commissioning process targets new and existing buildings. Commissioning of an existing building is better known as retro-commissioning, but falls under the same scope of work.

Commissioning a building involves investigating the building as a whole instead of focusing on a single component. Commissioning buildings enhances their features and ensures the owner’s project requirements are completely met. The commissioning process is a process of planning, verification, delivery, and managing critical functions performed in, or by, facilities. The commission process will uncover deficiencies in design, operation, or installation so that the building reaches optimal performance. All commissioning projects will be customized to the goals and individual features of the facility and the project.

The commissioning of facilities will also increase energy efficiency, comfort durability, and health and safety. It will also increase indoor environmental quality and will enhance the health, productivity and satisfaction of the occupants.

As part of the scope of work, we will create a continuous commissioning plan to maintain peak efficiency. This includes a preventive maintenance schedule, benchmarking, utility tracking, performance tracking, training procedures, and tailored operating manuals.

Historical bill analysis and occupant interview. We will examine 1 to 3 years of utility bills to rank your building’s performance against similar sized buildings and quantify the heating and cooling load. The occupant or owner interview helps to identify comfort concerns and improvements you would like to see.

1. Test Thermal Envelope. Quantify air leakage with a blower door depressurization test. Locate gaps and voids in the thermal envelope with infrared imaging.

2. Test Air Distribution Efficiency. Quantify duct leakage with duct blaster. Evaluate adequate airflow, temperature, and distribution of the heating and cooling system.

3. Pressure Mapping. Identify which rooms or spaces are connected. Determine if living spaces are connected to the attic, garage, or any unintentional spaces. Helps determine root causes of unintentional airflow.

4. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Analyze building for mold and moisture issues, measure for adequate ventilation, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels in the building.

5. Combustion Efficiency. Test combustion equipment for overall efficiency. Check flue for adequate drafting and excess carbon monoxide levels in your flue.

6. Mechanical Efficiency. Visually inspect and test mechanical equipment for proper performance. This includes all HVAC and mechanical pumps.

7. Landscape Efficiency. Evaluate use of natural landscape for building’s performance. This includes solar shading, wind breaks, and low water-use plants.

8. Garbage Efficiency. Evaluate garbage management, including source reduction, recycling (includes compost), and disposal.

9. Lighting Efficiency. Inspect building for proper distribution of lighting, low energy bulbs, fixtures, and daylighting.

11. Renewable Energy Efficiency. Evaluate potential for on-site renewable energy, including solar. Verifying solar panels are maintained and producing expected kilowatts.

Our General Contractor has been doing performance contracting for over 20 years. All crew members are trained and certified in energy performance standards and in the use of sustainable materials for the work. On completion of the work you will benefit from improved energy efficiency—utility cost savings and a more comfortable home. We verify the quality of all of our work by stringent testing of the building framework as a follow up test-out procedure. And to ensure long-term savings, we also provide two-year periodic monitoring of utility bills.

Custom Energy Upgrade Improvement	Energy Performance Benefit	Comfort Benefit
Air Sealing	Identify and seal air connections with outside. Decreases amount of energy necessary to heat and cool your building.	Avoid temperature swings, drafts, and maintain comfortable indoor temperatures longer and faster.
Duct Sealing	Eliminate conditioned air loss. And eliminate intake of poor crawl/attic air.	More conditioned air gets to the rooms with less run time. Improved air quality by eliminating air intake from crawl/attic space.
Indoor air quality (with improved filtering and control of fresh air)	Eliminates the need for energy-intensive room air purifiers.	Breath fresh air avoids respiratory problems like asthma and allergies.
Moisture Management	Eliminates mold and moisture problems with out installing energy intensive dehumidifiers.	Improved indoor air quality, improved durability of building structure, and components.
Insulation	Downgrade to smaller HVAC appliances and reduce run time.	Comfortable indoor temperatures year-round
Heating & Cooling Upgrade	Install higher efficiency heating or cooling system.	Runs quieter and more efficiently.
Photovoltaic Installation	Local renewable power source	Energy independence & Reduced pollution
Solar Hot Water	Efficient hot water source for heating and domestic hot water	A sound financial investment for reducing natural gas, an un-regulated fuel

We offer LEED, GreenPoint Rated (GPR) and Certified Passive House Project Administration services as well as targeted support, just where you need it. Our approach is systematic, streamlined and employs time and resource-saving tools and techniques. In a world of increasing complexity, We strive to make green building simple and accessible, tailoring their services to the needs of each client and project team.

We understand that making a major investment in your building at this time may feel out of reach in these challenging economic times. That’s why we have made numerous financing and incentive programs available to our customers. Whether you have a small home or big business, there are many opportunities available and we will help facilitate the process so our customers get discounted financing and the maximum amount of incentives available. Our creative plans will help you enjoy the benefits of your newly upgraded building faster.

Our main financing program is through the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA). This is a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.

There are many incentive and rebate programs through your local utility company. We work with local energy watch programs and utility companies to maximize rebates and available incentives. This makes retrofits low cost to no cost solutions.