Building Retrofits

Energy Audits
Nexant performs onsite audits of energy-using systems, whole buildings, and multi-facility sites ("campuses" or "fleets" of buildings). Our engineers and analysts have experience in auditing and evaluating virtually all building systems, from office lighting to industrial process equipment.

Our audit reports provide:

• Retrofit and/or operational recommendations
• Initial cost estimates
• Estimated energy and demand savings
• Lifecycle cost analysis
• Payback period for each recommended measure (with and without utility or public agency incentives)
• A profile of the site's carbon footprint and the carbon impact of the recommended upgrades

Post-audit services include helping to prioritize measures in light of project economics and any pre-existing plans that might affect either project timing or outcomes.

LEED-EB Certification
The purpose of the LEED-EB rating system is to help owners and operators of existing buildings maximize operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts.

Nexant's LEED modeling and other technical services help facility owners to achieve U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification for existing buildings that are upgraded to meet the USGBC's standards for existing facilities. We support LEED credits in three categories: (1) energy and atmosphere, (2) indoor environmental quality, and (3) innovation and design process.

Our LEED-accredited professionals have expertise in commissioning, recommissioning, energy simulation modeling, building systems optimization, measurement and verification, as well as LEED administration and facilitation.

Energy Star Rating
Nexant is a registered ENERGY STAR service provider, helping building owners and operators make informed decisions by identifying opportunities to improve energy, financial, and environmental performance.

If a building is eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label, Nexant will certify the information and apply for the label on behalf of the facility. If it does not meet label specifications, we use Target Finder to determine how much energy reduction needs to be achieved in order to earn the label and what steps might be taken to achieve those savings. If the building has sufficiently low energy use to earn the label but fails for other reasons, we will document why the building failed and what corrective steps need to be taken. In all cases, we provide a written summary of our findings and recommendations to the customer and are available to answer questions and provide future recommendations.

Retrocommissioning
Less-than-optimal control strategies, faulty equipment, and deferred maintenance may result in system inefficiencies that are not readily noticeable and that keep facility operators unaware of sizable energy savings opportunities.

Performance improvements identified through recommissioning can provide high value:

• Lower operating costs
• Ongoing energy and peak demand savings
• More efficient use of equipment
• Reduced maintenance and repair cost and longer equipment life
• A more comfortable and productive environment for building occupants
• An opportunity for facility staff to work hand-in-hand with expert engineers to increase their knowledge of the efficient and effective operation of the building systems
• Identification of attractive capital projects

As an RCx agent, Nexant applies proven investigative techniques to identify poorly operating systems and equipment and to determine the root cause of persistent operational problems. We then work with building owners, managers, ESCOs, and others to establish clear goals prior to the design and implementation of equipment, control systems, or operating procedures. We also serve as recommissioning program administrators and managers for utility RCx programs.