Retro-Commissioning
Optimizing an existing building's performance through non-capital measures
Your customer’s building may have met energy codes when it was originally designed, but do they know how well it is performing now? Retro-Commissioning (RCx) is the process of monitoring, troubleshooting and adjusting electrical, mechanical and control systems in existing buildings to achieve energy savings, in many cases, without large capital costs or investments.
The PNM Retro-Commissioning (RCx) Program provides incentives for you to act as your customer’s energy efficiency expert, helping them to improve the system efficiency of their commercial buildings. This program helps by paying you for the building assessment and also provides rebates for the savings your customers achieve by implementing the recommended improvements.
Two Tiers for Participation:
Medium-sized buildings can benefit from a standard retro-commissioning assessment that focuses on common system efficiency improvements.
Study Incentive
Retro-Commissioning Tier 1 study incentives are available for all projects that meet the minimum eligibility criteria (see “Which Customers Qualify” below). The study incentive is paid directly to you to help buy down the cost of the study based on annual energy usage as follows:
| Building Annual kWh Usage | Study Incentive |
|---|---|
| < 750,000 | $1,500 |
| 750,000 – 1,000,000 | $2,000 |
| 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 | $2,500 |
| 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 | $3,000 |
| 3,000,000 + | $3,500 |
Larger buildings may have opportunities for a more comprehensive retro-commissioning assessment to yield even greater savings.
Study Incentive
A Retro-Commissioning Tier 2 study incentive of $10,000 is available to building owners whose facilities meet the minimum eligibility criteria (see “Which Customers Qualify” below). The study incentive is paid directly to the PNM Authorized Contractor to help buy down the cost of the study. PNM Authorized Contractors receive 50% of the incentive after the study is conducted and a master list of findings is reported, on the condition that the customer agrees to implement all no-cost and low-cost measures. The remaining 50% of the study incentive is paid upon receipt, review, inspection and payment of the final project application.
The PNM Retro-Commissioning Program offers rebates for implementing the low-cost operational and maintenance improvements from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 study.
Savings Incentive
Retro-Commissioning Tier 1 and 2 energy savings are paid at $0.075 per kWh of one year of projected, annualized savings. The savings incentive is based on meeting the eligibility requirements and hiring a PNM Authorized Retro-Commissioning Contractor.
To be eligible for retro-commissioning incentives, all of the following criteria must be met:
Retro-Commissioning Tier 1 Eligibility
- Applicant must provide PNM Program staff with an ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® benchmarking report;
- Building must meet at least one of the following size criteria:
- Be at least 50,000 ft2 in size, OR
- Use at least 750,000 annual kWh, OR
- Use at least 500 kW annual peak demand;
- Customer must commit to installing all identified no-cost and low-cost measures, defined as those measures with payback of less than two years and less than $2,000.
Retro-Commissioning Tier 2 Eligibility
- Building must have direct digital controls (DDC) in place connected to a building management system (BMS);
- Customer must commit to installing all identified no-cost and low-cost measures, defined as those measures with payback of less than two years and less than $5,000;
- Building must meet at least one of the following size criteria:
- Be at least 100,000 ft2 in size, OR
- Use at least 1,500,000 annual kWh, OR
- Use at least 1,000 kW annual peak demand;
- Options 4a-4c:
- 4a. Customer must have participated in required Retro-Commissioning Tier 1 identified improvements, OR
- 4b. Applicant must provide PNM Program staff with an ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® benchmarking report
AND - 4c. Applicant must show a minimum 5% energy savings opportunity through a documented study, most likely conducted by the firm representing the customer.
(The 4b plus 4c option allows for eligible Tier 2 buildings undergoing a more thorough retro-commissioning process or a performance contracting process to consolidate assessments into one project).
The following are examples of the PNM Retro-Commissioning upgrades Tier 1 program, and are typically low- or no-cost energy efficiency measures:
1. Re-set
- Duct static pressure (DSP)
- Supply air temperature (SAT)
- Chilled water supply temperature (CHWST)
- Condenser water supply temperature (CWST)
- Zone temp deadband
- Discharge air temperature (DAT)
2. Optimize
- Economizer control
- Air handling unit (AHU) schedule
- Lighting schedule
- Night low limit controls
- Variable air volume (VAV) box operation
3. Add
- Supply fan variable frequency drive (VFD)
- Chilled water (CHW) pump VFD
- Lighting controls
- Exhaust fan controls
Retro-Commissioning Applications
Visit the online application to access the current Retro-Commissioning applications.
2024 Overall Program Status
Rebate Programs
Questions?
Call us at 505-938-9400 or
email energyefficiency@pnm.com
Become a PNM Authorized Contractor
Some of the benefits you can expect by becoming an Authorized Contractor:
- Financial advantage, such as third-party payment of incentives & cash bonuses when available
- Technical, rebate application, and engineering support
- Secure access to real-time program data through the Program Project Portals
- And many more
