BPC Insights

Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Houston Commercial Buildings

Published · BPC Development LLC

In the Houston area, cooling is one of the biggest operating costs in most commercial buildings. Long, hot summers, high humidity and aging equipment add up. Energy efficiency retrofits can lower operating costs, improve comfort for tenants and make a building more competitive when it is time to lease or sell.

A retrofit can be as simple as a lighting upgrade or as large as a combined program of HVAC, controls, roofing and window work. This guide walks owners through the planning process. It is general information, not engineering, tax or financial advice. Talk with your engineer, accountant and other advisors about your building.

Start by measuring

You cannot manage what you do not measure. Start with benchmarking, which compares your building's energy use with similar buildings. ENERGY STAR offers free benchmarking tools through Portfolio Manager, which many owners use to track energy and water use over time. Collect utility bills for the building, enter them, and see where the building stands.

Benchmarking will not tell you what to fix, but it tells you whether the building uses more energy than its peers and gives you a baseline to measure improvements against.

Get an energy audit

An energy audit by a qualified engineer or energy professional looks at how the building actually uses energy:

The audit should produce a list of improvement measures, each with an estimated effect on energy use and a rough idea of what it involves. Industry standards from ASHRAE guide how many engineers conduct audits and design HVAC systems.

Common retrofit measures

Lighting and controls

LED lighting upgrades are often among the first steps, since they reduce energy use and maintenance. Adding occupancy sensors, daylight controls and scheduling increases the effect. The Whole Building Design Guide explains lighting controls and how they fit into building design. Our guide to commercial lighting and ceiling upgrades covers planning this work in occupied spaces.

HVAC replacement and tune-ups

Older rooftop units, chillers and air handlers may run well below the efficiency of current equipment. Replacing failing units with properly sized, efficient equipment can cut energy use and improve humidity control, which matters in Houston. Our guide to commercial rooftop HVAC replacement explains the planning steps.

Building automation

Controls let the building heat and cool only when and where it is needed. Upgrades may include new thermostats, a building automation system, scheduling, and sensors that adjust ventilation to occupancy.

Roofs and insulation

A roof replacement is a good time to add insulation and choose a reflective surface. The Cool Roof Rating Council explains cool roof ratings for reflective roofing products. Our guide to flat roof options for Houston commercial buildings compares common systems.

Windows and air sealing

Sealing gaps around doors, windows and penetrations reduces humid air infiltration. In some buildings, window film or replacement glazing reduces solar heat gain. The U.S. Department of Energy explains how the building envelope affects energy use.

Water use

Water-efficient fixtures reduce both water and water-heating costs. EPA's WaterSense program offers guidance for commercial buildings.

Energy code compliance

Retrofits that replace lighting, HVAC equipment or envelope components can trigger energy code requirements. The City of Houston requires energy code documentation for many commercial projects, and its COMcheck enforcement notice explains when the compliance report is needed. The U.S. Department of Energy provides the COMcheck software. Ask your designer to confirm what applies before you submit for permits.

Incentives and utility programs

Some utility companies and government programs offer incentives for efficiency upgrades. Program rules change, so check current offerings with your electric provider, such as CenterPoint Energy, and ask your accountant about any tax treatment. Do not assume an incentive applies until it is confirmed in writing.

Prioritize the list

Most owners cannot do everything at once. Sort the audit's list into groups:

Bundling saves money because work like ceiling access, roof removal or equipment cranes only happens once.

Plan around tenants

Retrofits in occupied buildings need coordination:

Our guide to after-hours commercial construction covers working around occupied space.

Measure the results

After work is done, keep tracking energy use in the benchmarking tool. Compare against the baseline, and adjust controls as needed. Commissioning, which means testing that systems operate as designed, helps confirm the building gets the expected benefit.

How a typical retrofit program unfolds

Most energy retrofit programs start with data. Owners gather utility bills, equipment lists and maintenance records, and many benchmark the building to compare it with similar properties. An energy audit or engineering review then identifies opportunities and ranks them by cost, savings and disruption.

From that list, owners usually choose a first phase of simpler measures, such as lighting and controls, while planning larger items, such as HVAC replacements and envelope work, for later phases or for when equipment reaches the end of its life. Designers prepare drawings and energy code documentation where needed, and permits are pulled.

During construction, work is scheduled around tenants. After each phase, commissioning confirms that equipment and controls work as designed. Tracking utility use after the project shows whether expected savings appear, and that data helps shape the next phase.

Questions to ask your team

Quick checklist

Planning lighting, HVAC, roofing or other upgrades at your commercial building? BPC Development LLC provides free on-site estimates in Houston, TX. Call (281) 301-4737.

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