From 2011 through 2018, Cx Associates worked as the energy consultant with National Life in Montpelier, VT – the largest office building complex in the State of Vermont, measuring approximately 500,000 square feet. Our work began with a retrocommissioning study that identified building performance improvement opportunities to reduce annual electrical consumption by 18% and cut biomass fuel use by about 425 tons of wood chips per year.  In addition to the resulting 770,000 kWh of annual energy savings realized by these projects, the firm is also saving 69% of their chiller operating costs from the chiller plant control sequences that Cx Associates developed in 2014. Through continuous engagement in identifying, developing, supporting implementation, and commissioning energy efficiency projects, we have helped the already Energy Star Rated facility save over 5,580 MWh and 51 million BTUs of fuel.

Cx Associates provided engineering analysis for two projects as part of a census evaluation of the largest projects completed in the evaluation period for NYSERDA. The evaluation included on‐site M&V, delivery of engineering and attribution surveys by engineering staff and completion of rigorous verification of over 6,500 MWh of savings claimed on the two projects to determine the measure level and project specific gross and net savings realization rates with an enhanced degree of rigor.

From 2015-2017, Cx Associates was part of a team that provided consulting services to the Maine Public Utility Commission to conduct an evaluation of Efficiency Maine Trust programs. This included a thorough review of the Trust's programs, program design/ modification, efficiency measure cost-effectiveness screening, development of the Triennial Plan and a Best Practices memo, as well as an overview of the Trust in general.

Under contract to Efficiency Vermont, Cx Associates worked with the Vermont Forward Capacity Market (FCM) participants and regulators to design and develop the Vermont FCM Measurement & Verification (M&V) implementation plan. Since 2009, Cx Associates has subcontracted with West Hill Energy and Computing to provide independent measurement and verification of Vermont's FCM peak demand reduction claims for over 100 utility C&I projects, as well as annual energy savings evaluation. Our staff performs on‐site metering, utility bill analyses, building automation system trend analyses, and engineering analyses using these data to verify peak demand reduction claims for Efficiency Vermont and Burlington Electric Department in compliance with IPMVP and ISO New England standards.

In 2019, Cx Associates assisted VTARNG with an energy assessment of three facilities: Regional Training Institute, the Jericho Readiness Center, and the Green Mountain Armory. This work utilized Efficiency Vermont’s Retrocommissioning (RCx) program. Using ASHRAE Level I Energy Audits, we assessed the energy consumption, water consumption, and mechanical and electrical system infrastructure to identify low-cost operating and controls measures for inclusion in VTARNG’s developing Installation Energy and Water Plans (IEWP). We recommended a list of infrastructure investments and capital improvements vital to meeting the IEWP mission goals regarding effective operation, mitigation of risks, lowering operating costs, and reducing energy and water consumption. For example, the measures identified for the Jericho Readiness Center would save VTARNG approximately 45,713 kW/yr.

Cx Associates performed ASHRAE level 1 and level 2 energy audits, including metering, energy analysis, and Energy Star Portfolio benchmarking, of the Grand Way Commons building in in South Burlington, VT. Grand Way Commons is a four-story senior housing building that was built in two phases, with completion dates of 2005 and 2011. This 97,000 square foot building is primarily for senior housing with office space and a senior care facility.

Cx Associates collaborated with Mount Mansfield Company to meet Stowe Mountain’s goal of stabilizing and automating the Spruce Camp plant operation. During this project, we investigated the 10,600 MBH boiler and its associated equipment, including primary and secondary loops, loop pumps, and heat exchangers. We compiled data from field visits and trend data analysis to demonstrate the boiler's inefficiencies and generate solutions, and we identified and supported the implementation of changes that successfully met the project goals. 

Cx Associates performed an RCx study for Jay Peak Resort’s two-story Clubhouse which includes functional space types such as a kitchen, bar and dining area, pro shop, golf cart storage, and overnight suites. This is a year-round building with varying levels of occupancy. Our review included the mechanical, domestic hot water, controls, and lighting systems and resulted in recommendations that would focus on the building automation system and fan coil units.

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 was brought in to assist with identifying opportunities to improve thermal and humidity control in key manufacturing areas and to help VPT reduce energy use. Cx undertook testing, including measurement and verification, of existing systems and conditions, identified design solutions and oversaw their implementation.

After providing commissioning services for ECHO, Vermont’s first LEED certified building, in 2003, Cx Associates provided retrocommissioning (RCx) services for ECHO in 2014.  We provided services to help ECHO achieve their goals to improve the performance of their pumping and air systems. In addition  to reducing the operations staff-time required to maintain the building, the measures we identified included savings of 64,150 kWh annually across a couple of upgrades and improvements.

Cx Associates completed retrocommissioning studies at Browns River Middle, Jericho Elementary, Mount Mansfield High, and Smilie Elementary schools.  For these schools, we used historical energy data to benchmark each building in Energy Star Portfolio Manager and develop the sites’ Energy Usage Index (EUI). The implemented energy saving measures included adjustments to ventilation to match occupancy, modification of piping to segregate boilers and reduce losses through the standby boiler, hot water piping modifications to allow variable speed pump operation, and numerous mechanical modifications to ensure optimized operation and decreased maintenance costs.

Cx Associates calculated the EUI and Energy Star scores for this four-story building and identified that it is operating slightly better than the national average. Even so, we identified a number of opportunities to improve the building’s energy efficiency even further. While retrocommissioning was not an option due to operability issues, we were able to provide a report that provided guidance and direction concerning strategies to optimize control sequences to reduce energy use and improve comfort.

Cx Associates identified and quantified over 200 measures and identified annual energy savings opportunities of over $237,000 during the retrocommissioning study we performed for Vermont State College. The goal of the study was to identify low cost opportunities to reduce building HVAC energy use and identify measures that could be applicable across multiple buildings not included in the study. The savings we identified resulted in a payback period of only 1.2 years.

Cx Associates was retained by Maine Medical Center to provide an engineering assessment for optimizing the replacement of AHU-44, which is at the end of its expected service life. We recommended an advantageous solution and provided a design narrative for use in pricing. We provided services throughout the replacement, by evaluating hospital spaces and programs, space conditioning and ventilation requirements, performing submittal reviews, and developing the final sequence of operation. To round out the project, we will conduct site work to review the installation and operation.

Cx Associates conducted a retrocommissioning qualification study for the chilled water plant at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Our review of the facility focused on its chilled water plant, the BAS, as well as pumps and the cooling tower. Our study resulted in four measures we recommended to the owner. These four measures resulted in estimated annual savings of $17,000, which would result in a payback period of just 1.4 years.

Cx Associates worked with Efficiency Vermont to complete a retrocommissioning (RCx) process of nine Air Handling Units (AHU) at Northwestern Medical Center (NMC). The nine AHUs analyzed in this RCx study served several areas of the 200,000 square foot medical building including operating rooms, surgical services, ICU, PCU, laboratories, cafeteria, office spaces, and the emergency department. In addition to the original scope, we identified three further items during the implementation phase of the work that would give additional savings of over $9,000 per year. The final RCx report indicates savings of over $33,700 per year.

We provided design and sequences of operation for an upgrade to Fanny Allen Hospital’s aging Building Automation System (BAS). This upgrade resulted in an increase in the facility’s Energy Star score from 15 to 31. Our team based our design on the not-yet-released ASHRAE Guideline 36 and implemented leading edge efficiency measures in the control of the HVAC systems.

Cx Associates led the development of the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), and then provided commissioning services for Design, Construction, and Post-Occupancy phases of the project. Our design reviews resulted in over $220,000 in first cost savings and we identified and suggested solutions for over 200 issues during construction.

Currently we are providing measurement and verification services in compliance with LEED 2009-NC Version 3.0 – EAC 5 for Measurement and Verification. This work includes commissioning metering devices, building a public-facing web page that charts the Energy Use Intensity of the building, writing and executing a measurement and verification plan, and developing an energy model to measure actual building energy performance in comparison to baseline.

The University of Vermont (UVM) Davis Center was the first student center to receive LEED Gold certification for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council. This cutting-edge, 186,000 square-foot building features a 19,000 square-foot green roof, built-in compost storage coolers, waterless urinals, and an energy efficient HVAC system. It diverts more than 60 percent of its waste from the landfill. In 2010, the Davis Center received the Innovative Achievement Award, sponsored by American Campus Communities. The Davis Center represents UVM's commitment to the environment and green building practices.