Industry Guidance

• Industry Consensus: recommissioning (or retro-commissioning) every 3–5 years to keep systems performing efficiently.

• EPA ENERGY STAR® Guidance: Recommends every 5 years for most commercial buildings, though more frequent checks may be needed if buildings undergo significant operational or occupancy changes.

• Typical Practice: Many organizations target every 5–10 years, balancing cost with efficiency gains.

Factors That Affect Frequency

1. Building Age and System Condition

   • Older systems or those with deferred maintenance may need more frequent RCx.

2. Operational Changes

   • Changes in occupancy (e.g., new tenants, hybrid work schedules) or usage (e.g., server rooms added) can throw off HVAC optimization and warrant earlier recommissioning.

3. Energy Performance Goals

   • Companies with aggressive sustainability targets often recommission more often (3–5 years).

4. Comfort Complaints or Energy Spikes

   • If occupants report comfort issues or utility bills rise unexpectedly, an RCx may be needed sooner.

Practical Rule of Thumb

• Routine maintenance: Ongoing (quarterly/annually).

• Retro-commissioning: Every 5 years under normal conditions.

• More frequent (3–4 years) if:

  • The building is large and complex.

  • The organization prioritizes energy efficiency.

  • Significant operational changes occur.
    
    

Bottom line: Most companies should plan to retro-commission their HVAC system about every 5 years to ensure persistent savings, with flexibility to adjust based on system performance and building use.

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