The economics of commissioning

No direct method has been established to determine commissioning costs. Savings resulting from commissioning are difficult to quantify because each construction project is unique and depends on building size, location, complexity, sophistication of equipment and/or systems and the number of systems involved.

1. Economic benefits. Unfortunately, qualitative benefits alone will not make a convincing case for commissioning. Although enough studies have been done to produce estimates of the potential savings that can result from performing commissioning, but it is crucial to understand that cost savings are not the sole benefit of a successful commissioning endeavor. The promise of commissioning is to support the facilities equipment operation and the needs of the end user. A successful commissioning project will save the user invaluable time and hassle, especially when dealing with mission critical, “must-not-fail” facilities and will save money in operation, energy use, and
2. Commissioning cost. Determining commissioning cost can vary in range from $0.25 per square foot per year to over $2.50 per square foot per year. The approximate average appears to be about $1.00 per square foot per year, but this figure cannot be applied to any specific type of building. Other sources have calculated commissioning costs as 5 to 6 percent of mechanical construction cost, or 0.5 to 3 percent of entire building cost.
3. Commissioning savings. The commissioning process can provide savings resulting from the following.
   1. Improved understanding of the purpose of the facility and the reason for its existence to serve the end user. 
   2. Improved facility and systems because all parties involved in the life cycle are focused on the end users’ needs as the primary goal of the facility.
   3. Improved coordination between the owner, engineer, and contractor resulting in appropriate costs, schedule, and system operation and reduced change orders.
   4. Improved systems operation, reduced energy consumption, reduced call- backs, and reduced claims and litigation because thorough acceptance tests were conducted, all systems were brought up to operate per design and performance was optimized.
   5. Reduced maintenance costs because of improved equipment life and reliability.
   6. Improved maintenance and reduced maintenance man-hours because of available documentation and training.
   7. Improved building environment resulting in improved worker productivity.
4. Reported commissioning cost savings. Cost savings resulting from commissioned versus non-commissioned facilities for energy savings are reported from 8 to 50 percent with average savings of about $.75 per square foot. Cost savings resulting from commissioned versus non-commissioned facilities for maintenance savings are reported from 15 to 35 percent. More information on the importance and economics of commissioning can be found in the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).