Recommissioning (RCx) Guide for Building Owners and Managers

Chapter 1 - Building Performance as a Business Strategy

How well a building performs not only affects energy utility bills and operating costs, it also can influence property value, the productivity of occupants, and the business bottom line. Although high energy use is sometimes accepted as an unavoidable cost of doing business, it is often the best cost centre for cost reduction. It may also be an indicator of opportunities for reducing inefficiency and waste linked to building performance issues and gaps in how operation and maintenance (O&M) activities are carried out. By actively pursuing building operating improvements, building owners and managers can reduce operating costs to increase the profitability of their business and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

This chapter describes the potential for broad gains from activities aimed at improving building performance and introduces the concept of recommissioning (RCx) and its benefits.

Highlights:

• What is recommissioning?
• How can recommissioning improve building profitability and reduce risk?
• How important is recommissioning?