As you may have heard, Michigan is adopting a new energy code for buildings. At this point we at E3M expect that this code will be approved this fall and enforcement will start in early 2025. If you’d like to stay up-to-date on the energy code changes, dates etc you can complete our Contact Form and select “Keep me informed on code changes”.
Part of this new energy code is required Functional Performance Testing (FPT). Less intensive and less expensive than full commissioning, FPT aims to verify operation and performance of systems in a building.
What is Functional Performance Testing?
By definition, FPT is a process that evaluates how a building’s systems and equipment operate to ensure they are energy-efficient, optimize usage and longevity and provide occupant comfort.
FPT can help identify issues with comfort and operations, as well as opportunities to save energy. For example, FPT can help ensure that building envelope components are preventing air leakage, which can waste energy and trap moisture. FPT can also help identify issues with building automation systems (BAS), which can provide misleading information if not properly tested.
FPT typically include tests that simulate various conditions, such as:
- Loss of power
- Shutdowns and startups
- Low and full loads
- Staging and standby functions
- Changing setpoints
- Seasonal weather conditions
- Systems that are typically tested include:
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and controls
- Indoor lighting systems and controls
- Water heating systems and controls
- Building envelope components
Without FPT the building owner and contractor can agree that equipment turns on and off. But they don’t know that a building isn’t optimized until they have complaints from occupants, high energy bills or equipment failure. FPT ensures occupant comfort, system functionality and energy usage are all at the levels they should be.
What does the new energy code say is required of FPT?
FPT is required for any building, any addition or major alteration. The code is also broken down by building type. Based on different building systems there is different testing required. For example, in a renovation if you don’t touch the envelope of the building you don’t need to test the envelope. If you change the mechanical systems only, that is the only test you need to complete.
The new code requires testing by 1 of 3 people:
- An independent third party (like E3M)
- An authorized and qualified professional employed by the building owner
- Or someone directly associated with the design/installation but not directly related to the project
To protect the owner and the investment made and to ensure systems run as efficiently as possible, contractors and designers shouldn’t sign off on their own system.
You are required to have FPT completed to get final occupancy or have a plan to complete it.
How do I know if I need FPT?
There are two major reasons why you may need FPT. The first is the Michigan building code will dictate if you build a new building, add an addition that is 10,000 sf or larger or complete a renovation on 10,000 sf or more you will need FPT.
A second reason would be related to your energy cost. Knowing if your energy bills are high can be difficult as there are so many variables that determine costs. The size of the building as well as what the building is used for are the two main factors. You can look at the CBECS document linked here to see an estimate of what your energy costs should be based on your location, building size and type. If your costs are different than the estimates you see in this document you may want to consider an energy audit or FPT.
For example, at E3M we find that in 9 out of 10 buildings if the occupants are comfortable building owners don’t know if there is an issue with their systems. We often get called in when problems begin to occur: equipment is failing prematurely or energy costs are skyrocketing.
We were recently called to a manufacturing facility that had a $400,000 cooling system that was installed only 6 years ago. The compressor was overheating because the cooling system wasn’t properly optimized and the much needed cool air was partially blocked causing the compressor to overheat. That $400,000 is a total loss and a new system needed to be purchased and installed.
What is the difference between FPT and Full Commissioning – which one do I need?
Full commissioning costs $1 – 1.50 per square foot while FPT can cost between 35-50 cents per square foot. Full commissioning requires additional documentation and meetings. It is required when the building type is complex. A hospital, research facility, facility handling chemicals all have regulations that make this process important.
However if you have an office building, multi-unit housing, manufacturing facility, warehouse, etc full commissioning is most likely not necessary.
According to the new energy code ONLY FPT is required no matter the type of building. We find that FPT brings 80-90% of the value that full commissioning does, which for most buildings is significant.
Full commissioning always requires a third party to complete. FPT gives more flexibility per the paragraph above in who can complete the testing based on the scale of the project.
Why isn’t FPT already happening?
We believe that FPT should be happening on most new buildings or renovations but it does take extra time, money and expertise. If you’re the mechanical or general contractor on a building you are great at installation but you may not know how to fully optimize all systems together.
Also, similar to above, if you are deep into designing and installing a system over two years it’s sometimes hard to see the issues. It’s helpful to get a set of fresh, independent, non-bias eyes on the systems.
What to do after FPT is complete?
It’s important to ensure your system works in every season and in every scenario. During FPT you can test for many different environments and situations but ideally you’ll test in an ongoing way, throughout the seasons, at different capacities, with different numbers of people in the building, at different production levels to fully benefit from these tests.
We find that by testing on an ongoing basis companies can save between 3-11% annually on their energy costs.
Beyond that occupants and employees will be comfortable, optimizing their outputs. Systems will perform properly and will not have part or system failure prematurely. Equipment, parts and systems longevity will all extend.
You can learn more about the regular testing program we offer at E3M, Optimize 360, HERE.
Again, we at E3M expect that this code will be approved this fall and enforcement will start in early 2025. If you’d like to stay up-to-date on the energy code changes, dates etc you can complete our Contact Form and select “Keep me informed on code changes”.
