Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008 - (Page 48)

Do you know your tenants’ true energy costs? With PowerLogic® submetering you can. Accurate billing isn’t easy without accurate information. Our advanced submetering solutions allow you to account for tenant demand charges and energy usage. More than just basic usage metering, our scalable PowerLogic® systems give you a powerful tool to make the most of your energy. They’re ideal for new construction or retrofitting existing apartments, shopping centers, ofﬁces — anywhere you need precise electrical information for multiple tenants. To learn more, call 1-866-466-7627 or visit www.powerlogic.com/tenant. Make the most of your energy SM an independent third party for some of the commissioning tasks can resolve these conflicts of interest. Owner’s staff: Use of in-house staff is a good choice for a CxA if they have relevant experience and training and are available. The in-house CxA has no conflict of interest with quality, has the most direct communication with the owner, and can be an affordable commissioning solution. In addition, systems knowledge gained during commissioning can give the owner a tremendous advantage. The experience acquired by the owner’s staff in testing building systems will be a big plus in maintaining facility operations during the subsequent years of occupancy. Cx is a long-term process with long lags in activity between project phases. Few owners have enough projects to warrant a team of qualified CxAs on staff, and they seldom have specialists for emergency generators, UPS systems, on-site sewage treatment, and the like. Moreover, few owners want to maintain an inventory of test equipment. An owner’s staff CxA is acceptable to the USGBC LEED program for both the prerequisite and enhanced commissioning credits. However, an owner should officially verify USGBC LEED requirements for each project. General contractor: If the general contractor (GC) provides or subcontracts the CxA, the GC’s direct reporting relationship to the owner and communications skills will prove to be an asset. Frequently, GCs also have experience with equipment installation and operation, although never as directly as their subcontractors. The GC is more likely than any other team member to have a “big picture” point of view about systems integration and is the most qualified at administering contracts. On the negative side, the GC is rarely brought on early in construction projects. GCs often are chosen by low bid and therefore are sure to hold contracts and have a financial stake in the project. This situation will lead to conflicts with quality checkout and testing if the job is late or running close to, or over, budget. This manner of procurement is not acceptable for the USGBC LEED program’s Credit 3 (enhanced commissioning), although it may be acceptable Input #225 at csemag.com/quickResponse http://www.powerlogic.com/tenant http://www.powerlogic.com/tenant http://www.csemag.com/quickResponse

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008 Contents Viewpoint Letters News M/E�Roundtable Selecting Appropriate Egress Strategies Commissioning On-Site Electrical Systems Mentoring Control Engineers and Technicians Casting Call for Cx Case Study New Products Equipment Lifecycles Advertiser Index Green Space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008

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