Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Woodstock Elementary School
Virginia Beach, VA
MBP provided retro-commissioning (RCx) services to identify and address HVAC system deficiencies, improve thermal comfort for occupants, and enhance overall building performance and energy efficiency.
Challenge
Retro-Commissioning (RCx) is a term that refers to the process of commissioning an existing facility for the first time. In March of 2015, Virginia Beach City Public Schools reached out to MBP to provide RCx services for Woodstock Elementary School. This 86,645-square-foot, onestory elementary school was built in 1957, and underwent a modernization of the existing school and construction of a new wing in 2003. The RCx process for this school had to be implemented without disrupting the occupants, with the goal of improving:
- Energy performance
- Occupant comfort
- Equipment life
- Operation and maintenance (O&M) trouble calls
Solution
The RCx activities focused on resolving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) related issues by identifying and evaluating deficiencies in the mechanical systems, including issues associated with thermal comfort of occupants. These energy conservation measures (ECMs) identified 135 issues, some of which had never been corrected by the installing contractors when the building opened in 2003. The ECM issues were grouped into the following categories:
- Calibration
- Failed Equipment
- BAS Graphics
- Maintenance and Repair
- Control Programming
- Test, Adjust, and Balance
Result
Correction of these ECMs resulted in a measurable effect on the performance of the building.
The month of April 2016 saw a reduction in natural gas usage of approximately 67% from the previous three-year average. The total 2016 natural gas savings was $12,000, and total utility bill savings was $35,000 for 2016.
The RCx pilot was a proven success, and the project resulted in a total gas/electric reduction of 22% in utility bills for the school district. This equates to a return on investment of 1.5 years.
“MBP provided retro-commissioning services for Woodstock Elementary School, identifying 135 issues. During the year after MBP performed its services, we experienced a reduction in our combined gas and electrical utility bills, for a savings of approximately $35,000.”
Tony Arnold, PE
Executive Director of Facilities Services
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
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