When customers bring up rising energy bills, comfort complaints or equipment that “just isn’t working right,” the solution isn’t always new equipment. Retrocommissioning and operations and maintenance (O&M) can help uncover low- and no-cost ways to improve performance using the systems already in place.
To support those conversations, Energy Trust has developed a resource you can share with customers to help explain these opportunities and what to expect.
Use retrocommissioning to uncover opportunities
Retrocommissioning is a strong fit for customers whose equipment still has useful life but isn’t operating as efficiently as it could. Through Energy Trust, an allied technical assistance contractor (ATAC) performs a no-cost technical study to identify improvements, often simple adjustments like refining schedules or correcting control issues.
These projects can deliver meaningful savings across an entire facility and with Energy Trust covering the cost of the study and up to 90% of eligible improvements, many customers can move forward without major capital investment.
Address common issues with O&M
O&M is another way to help customers improve system performance while reducing the likelihood of future issues. It also creates an opportunity for ongoing support and stronger customer relationships. Common issues to watch for include:
- Simultaneous heating and cooling caused by leaking valves
- Boilers running unnecessarily due to disconnected sensors
- Inconsistent temperatures tied to control or scheduling issues
Catching and correcting these problems early can improve comfort, reduce energy waste and prevent costly breakdowns.
Support long-term performance with SEM
For customers interested in ongoing optimization, Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offers hands-on coaching and support. This can help reinforce improvements over time and identify additional opportunities for efficiency upgrades.
If you’re working with customers who are experiencing performance issues or looking for low-cost ways to save energy, this is a great place to start the conversation.