Age takes its toll on everyone and everything, and buildings are no exception. Utility costs creep steadily higher, things go wrong more often, and temperatures gets increasingly uncomfortable and erratic as energy efficiency declines.

Owners are eventually forced to address issues, and their instinct is often to replace a building’s lighting or air-conditioning system – projects that can involve a huge investment cost and a long construction period.

But there is a cheaper, intelligent alternative that is faster and yet just as efficient – and for many buildings, retro-commissioning is the key to a longer, healthier life. 

Retro-commissioning is a systematic process to optimise a building’s operational performance without the need to replace existing equipment. It allows businesses to save energy in buildings more quickly with a shorter investment payback period.

Revitalising urban skylines

CLP introduced its Retro-Commissioning Charter Programme in May to encourage more businesses to implement retro-commissioning solutions in their properties and contribute to long-term urban decarbonisation. 

Under the programme, businesses learn about different retro-commissioning solutions and techniques. They are invited to set energy-saving targets for their properties, and monitor and analyse existing energy efficiency against the building usage, environmental factors and actual needs. 

Leveraging on big data analysis, adjustments are proposed to optimise the building’s performance. Owners can consider whether the new settings will achieve energy-saving targets without compromising the comfort of occupants.

For both new and existing buildings, retro-commissioning can be done while the building is in use, making it less obtrusive and giving owners the chance to increase efficiency at a lower cost.

Lessons in efficiency

CLP has set aside HK$1 million from the CLP Community Energy Saving Fund to provide training in retro-commissioning to 300 energy management professionals from 100 businesses.

The programme allows participants from different industries to take part in the tailor-made retro-commissioning training sessions and to familiarise themselves with solutions through classroom sessions and field visits. 

The programme has received an overwhelming response from professionals in a range of sectors, including banking, property management and information technology. 

More than 57 organisations have already committed to carry out retro-commissioning works on more than 100 buildings. Around 15 gigawatt hours of electricity will be saved by the works, reducing carbon emissions by around 5,600 tonnes – equivalent to planting some 240,000 trees. 

Buildings consume around 90% of the electricity used in Hong Kong, so businesses have an important role to play in improving the energy efficiency of buildings and helping to create a low-carbon city. Retro-commissioning is a smart way for businesses to make a positive and lasting impact on the environment.