THE EVIDENCE
What independent research shows about retro-commissioning
EBEWE requires an audit and retro-commissioning every five years. National lab studies show this work often pays for itself. Results vary by building, so we screen for exemptions first and never promise savings.
EBEWE applies to covered buildings; exemptions may apply. Read the City requirements
Published studies
Showing 7 of 7 studies
Large studies
16% median savings, ~1-year payback
Berkeley Lab study of 643 U.S. buildings
This California Energy Commission-sponsored analysis covered 643 U.S. buildings, including existing and new construction. Existing-building commissioning delivered median whole-building energy savings of 16% with a 1.1-year payback; offices showed about 9% median energy-cost savings, a different measure.
Whole-building energy16%Median savings · existing buildings
Published historical study result, not a prediction.
Reported payback1.1 yearsSource: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2009Read the source for Berkeley Lab study of 643 U.S. buildingsLarge studies
15% savings, 0.7-year payback
U.S. DOE summary
DOE’s existing-building commissioning guide summarizes an analysis with median whole-building energy savings of 15% and a 0.7-year payback. Median commissioning costs in that historical sample were approximately $0.27 per square foot—not a current ECCP price.
Whole-building energy15%Median savings · historical sample
Published historical study result, not a prediction.
Reported payback0.7 yearsSource: U.S. Department of EnergyRead the source for U.S. DOE summaryOffice & commercial
12.1% average savings
26 federal offices and courthouses
PNNL reviewed re-tuning in 26 federal offices and courthouses whose starting performance was already efficient. Adjusting building controls still produced average annual energy savings of 12.1% across that group.
Annual energy use12.1%Average savings · 26 federal buildings
Published historical study result, not a prediction.
Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2017Read the source for 26 federal offices and courthousesOffice & commercial
12% median savings
20 office buildings
PNNL identified re-tuning opportunities in 20 office buildings, and operating teams implemented many of the suggested measures. Preliminary results for buildings implementing measures ranged from 2–21% energy savings, with a 12% median.
Energy use12%Median savings · preliminary results
Published historical study result, not a prediction.
Source: PNNL / Penn State CBEI (Archived original source; preliminary results.)Read the source for 20 office buildingsOffice & commercial
34.7% electricity savings
Georgia Tech research building
This complex research building illustrates the upper end of what controls corrections can achieve. Its case study reports 34.7% electricity savings over two years compared with projected usage, not a typical whole-building energy result.
Electricity vs. projected use34.7%Reported savings · over two years
Published historical study result, not a prediction.
Source: PNNL case studyRead the source for Georgia Tech research buildingApartments
~50% base energy savings
Sunset Towers, multifamily
Recommissioning the central plant at Sunset Towers made better use of existing equipment with limited new investment. The project account reports approximately 50% savings in base energy use, primarily domestic hot water—not a 50% reduction in all building energy.
Base energy · mainly hot water~50%Approximate savings · not all-building energy
Published historical study result, not a prediction.
Source: Impact Engineering via Passive House AcceleratorRead the source for Sunset Towers, multifamilyApartments
Up to 14% cost savings
Hot water recirculation controls
DOE-funded testing compared hot water recirculation controls in two New York apartment buildings. Accounting for interactions with space heating and cooling, estimated annual cost savings ranged from 1–14%, depending on the control method.
Annual energy costUp to 14%Estimated upper end · 1–14% across strategies
Published historical study result, not a prediction.
Source: U.S. DOE Building AmericaRead the source for Hot water recirculation controls
Results vary by building.
Retro-commissioning does not always produce energy savings, and results depend on the building and the systems being tuned. That’s why we check exemptions first and give estimates by building type, never guarantees.