What is the typical range of savings in operating costs when comparing a commissioned building to a non-commissioned building?

What is the typical range of savings in operating costs when comparing a commissioned building to a non-commissioned building?

• A. 5 to 15%
• B. 8 to 20%
• C. 15 to 25%
• D. 25 to 35%

Answer: (B)

Commissioning ensures that building systems operate as intended, so energy use and maintenance needs are minimized once the building is in operation. By validating performance, tuning controls, and fixing issues early, operational costs drop compared with a non-commissioned building. The typical range for savings is about 8% to 20% in operating costs, reflecting variations in building type, baseline deficiencies, and how comprehensively the commissioning scope is implemented. Many projects see energy and O&M reductions in the low-to-mid teens, with higher savings possible if there were significant control or start-up issues, and lower savings if the baseline was already efficient or the commissioning scope was limited.

Commissioning ensures that building systems operate as intended, so energy use and maintenance needs are minimized once the building is in operation. By validating performance, tuning controls, and fixing issues early, operational costs drop compared with a non-commissioned building. The typical range for savings is about 8% to 20% in operating costs, reflecting variations in building type, baseline deficiencies, and how comprehensively the commissioning scope is implemented. Many projects see energy and O&M reductions in the low-to-mid teens, with higher savings possible if there were significant control or start-up issues, and lower savings if the baseline was already efficient or the commissioning scope was limited.