Cx Associates is proud to be working with BETA Technologies in support of their sustainability goals and growing business in developing zero-emissions electric aircraft. Our services are divided into three distinct scopes of work: quality assurance/quality control for the ground source heat pump bore field, building systems and envelope commissioning for the newly constructed aircraft assembly facility and we are acting as the owner’s technical representative to develop and finalize the HVAC controls design in collaboration with the design and construction teams. By providing these services, we are confident that the entire project will operate efficiently, effectively, and sustainably for years to come. The facility is projected to be complete by November 2023.

For the bore field work, Cx Associates is providing quality assurance/quality control for an extensive ground source heat pump system. Working in collaboration with construction manager PC Construction, we’re overseeing the installation of 256 individual 400-foot-deep wells. Cx Associates developed the final layout of the field, and our team inspects and documents the entire installation and startup of the system, including all wells, underground piping, associated trenching and fill for piping, manifold vault, and thermal conductivity testing and pressure testing. In addition, Cx Associates will verify the  extensive and precise as-built documentation for each part of the ground source heat pump system. Our process will result in a system that will likely have a longer lifespan with less system issues and failures. 

For the aircraft assembly construction project, Cx Associates is responsible for completing MEP and building envelope commissioning for the new 188,500 SF high bay facility, which includes aircraft assembly space, as well as office and operational spaces. The facility is designed to support the manufacturing and assembly of BETA's first all-electric aircraft, ALIA, and will operate without fossil fuels. Our design review process resulted in over 100 design comments, which will be resolved before construction completion. 

Our team is closely involved with the development of the HVAC controls, providing in-depth review and in some cases re-writing the sequences of operation. 

Cx Associates commissioned Unilever’s 36,600 SF Seventh Generation headquarters facility in Burlington, VT, which contains offices and labs. Commissioned systems included the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), domestic hot water, and lighting and lighting controls. The commissioning process included Owner’s Project Requirement (OPR) facilitation and two design reviews, along with full construction phase commissioning. The owner is pursuing LEED Gold certification (v4 ID+C Commercial Interiors) for this building.

Cx Associates commissioned energy efficiency improvements at Burlington International Airport including the upgraded central chilled water system, replacement of two inefficient constant volume dual duct air distribution systems with a VAV system, extensive controls system programming upgrades, and lighting efficiency upgrades. CxA conducted design review for the central cooling plant and air system and heating plant upgrades. Many of our design review comments had a positive impact on system performance, especially part load operational efficiency. We estimate that our design review of the chiller plant controls alone saved the airport 150,000 kWh/year (20% of full load), worth $19,000/year. In addition, CxA worked with BTV to implement Building Performance Metrics and Monitoring to enable the building operators to maintain system performance over time.

Cx Associates provided peer-level design and construction phase commissioning of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for the YMCA's new, state-of-the-art facility in Burlington, VT. The building is made up of a gymnasium, natatorium, studios, fitness areas, childcare spaces, and offices, and uses water source heat pumps for heating and cooling with rooftop units (RTUs) and an HRV for ventilation. Our work focused on efficiency, first-cost and maintenance cost savings, and ensuring occupants would be comfortable in their spaces. For example, we found a lighting controller that required a fifteen minute wait time before the lights could be re-enabled after shut-down, a potential safety hazard. We worked with the design team and the contractors to find solutions to this and many other issues.

CxA’s commissioning of the multi-purpose, year-round Stowe Arena began during the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage and continued through bidding, design, construction, and occupancy. The RFP development and bidding services helped to ensure that energy efficient design concepts were included in the project proposals from the very beginning. During the design phase, CxA identified many opportunities to improve building performance, such as variable speed control for the desiccant dehumidification system, and optimal hot water supply temperature for boiler efficiency and heat recovery. CxA’s functional performance testing of the installed systems revealed additional opportunities to improve energy efficiency, such as reduced ventilation air pre-heating and adjustments to lighting control settings to more effectively switch off lighting when spaces are unoccupied.

Cx Associates was retained by the Town of Shelburne, VT to provide design and construction phase commissioning for the town’s 16,000 SF new Pierson Library and renovated Historic Town Center project. Commissioned systems included the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), domestic hot water, and lighting and lighting controls. Designed with sustainability and high-performance in mind, the building incorporates many energy efficiency features such as a roof rainwater collection, passive daylighting, and energy-efficient HVAC equipment. Designed for net-zero energy use, the new library and town center was awarded the 2020 Efficiency Vermont Best of the Best Honor Award – Large Commercial, as well as the 2020 People’s Choice Award at Efficiency Vermont’s Better Buildings by Design Conference.

Cx Associates has provided design and construction phase commissioning projects for several large Vermont Army National Guard projects. These projects include the following:

Cx Associates provided design, construction and occupancy phase commissioning services to VTANG’s new LEED Gold Certified Security Forces Building. We commissioned mechanical and electrical systems, including ground source heat pumps and solar PV. Our commissioning engineers found several issues during construction phase, such as sensors installed too high and poorly programmed controls sequences. We estimate that the resolution of these issues saved the facility $7,000/yr. in energy and maintenance costs.

Cx Associates provided lead commissioning services for a LEED Gold certified renovation and expansion of VTANG’s Fire-Crash-Rescue facility in South Burlington, VT. Our commissioning work with this high-performance building included mechanical and electrical systems, air and water source heat pumps, a geoexchange wellfield, and a 27.63kW PV array on the roof of the station. We developed and coordinated a Measurement and Verification Plan in compliance with LEED-NC 2.2 credit EA C5 to monitor all energy consuming systems through a DDC Base Meter Monitoring System (BMMS).

Cx Associates provided design, construction, and occupancy phase commissioning for Housing Vermont and Downstreet Housing & Community Development’s new 30-unit multifamily building in Montpelier, VT. Our clients' commitment to providing affordable housing to Vermonters means they needed a commissioning provider who would ensure the new building operated efficiently and with low maintenance costs.

Cx Associates provided mechanical and electrical commissioning for this new county nursing home in Boscawen, NH. This multi-residential health care facility includes over 300 beds, kitchen, laundry, offices and ancillary spaces. The owner required commissioning as a mandatory component of the project to ensure that all systems were complete and functioning properly upon occupancy, and that adequate documentation and training were provided to facilities staff. The facility design included energy efficient measures such as radiant floor heating, geothermal heat pumps, and energy recovery ventilators.

Cx Associates provided commissioning services for the construction of the Spruce Peak Adventure Center at Stowe Mountain Resort. We completed an in-depth review of the HVAC controls design and contractor’s scope work to identify and close existing gaps, resulting in a final, clear, agreed-to path forward for implementation of a complex controls package. As a result of our successful work on this project, we have been retained for several problem-solving projects with Stowe Mountain Resort.

Cx Associates provided commissioning services for this new waterfront boutique hotel which holds 126 guest rooms. Our early involvement in the project allowed us to identify design improvements that resulted in improved building performance and energy cost savings such as $10,000 first cost savings from a lower cost roof top air handling unit, 63,000 kWh and $8,000/year from variable speed pump installations, and 1,750 CCF and $2,500/year from separating the domestic hot water from the heat pump loop heating.

Cx Associates continued working with Hotel Vermont after occupancy to develop and test a new sequence of operations for the existing energy recovery unit (ERU) to reduce energy use and improve occupant comfort; this work was a direct result of observations made during the commissioning process.

Cx Associates provided commissioning for the renovation of the historic building that is used as Middlebury College’s president’s residence. The building has been recognized for its energy efficiency, winning Efficiency Vermont’s top award for a major renovation of a commercial building. As a result of our early involvement in the project, we were able to identify an opportunity for the engineer to modify sequences and piping to ensure the heating boiler was not damaged by missing logic. Our follow up on the issue resolved a lack of communication that could have resulted in a voided boiler warranty.

Cx Associates was retained by Champlain College to commission the college’s renovation of Roger H. Perry Hall. Built in 1859 by lawyer and diplomat Edward Phelps, it is one of only 11 houses in the South Willard Street Historic District that predates the Civil War and is an Italianate-style brick home with elements of Greek revival. The college’s plan for the building included energy-efficient climate control systems, including a geothermal pump from Perry Hall's deep wells. The building was renovated to LEED standards which recognize performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Cx Associates provided commissioning services for the renovation of this three-story historic mansion. The systems included in our commissioning were HVAC, domestic hot water, lighting and lighting controls. We identified a number of issues during the commissioning process, including variable refrigerant flow controls that didn’t meet specified sequences of operation, an isolation damper that was not opening properly to allow outside air into the heat recover unit, and water pooling around the roof top units. The identified issues were resolved, removing the potential for future issues.

Cx Associates provided commissioning for the new squash center on Middlebury College’s main campus, which includes nine squash courts, an entrance to the main athletic complex, and seating for hundreds of spectators. Cx Associates was retained to assist in the pursuit of LEED certification for the project. Commissioned systems included HVAC, domestic hot water, and lighting and lighting controls. Our early involvement during the design phase allowed us to develop close relationships with the college and the contractors which helped ensure the controls for the ventilation system and lighting system met the design intent and needs of the college.

Cx Associates provide design and construction phase commissioning for Middlebury College’s new Field House. Our review uncovered several issues that, when corrected, reduced first cost and increased energy efficiency. During the construction phase, we corrected over 50 issues with the rest of the team, each found during commissioning. Correcting these problems improved equipment access and maintainability, improved sequences of operation and other equipment programming, and resulted in improved environmental quality.

Cx Associates provided commissioning during Champlain College’s two-phase dormitory project to build three new residence halls on their campus. Our work ensured that the buildings conformed with the project Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), Basis of Design (BOD), and contract documents. The project included energy efficient design elements such as heat pump systems connected to a ground source wellfield serving a multi-building district.

Cx Associates provided design, construction, and occupancy phase commissioning services for this Compounding Pharmacy and Medical Office Building which houses dedicated dermatology and chemo infusion clinics along with a pharmaceutical lab. Because we were involved since the design review, we were able to work with the owners, designers, and contractors to ensure the compounding pharmacy HVAC system will satisfy the strict code requirements for this type of space.