Business NZ spoke to us recently about our Continuous Commissioning scheme and how we help Kiwis make their buildings run more efficiently. See the original article HERE
Helping buildings run more efficiently
Jackson Engineering Advisers is introducing a service called Continuous Commissioning. Company managing director Lance Jimmieson says the service is well known internationally but is newer to the New Zealand market.
It is defined as an ongoing process to resolve operating problems of building systems, improve comfort and optimise energy use.
“Continuous Commissioning ensures that building owners and their clients continue to get the very best out of their building services systems after they are installed.
“It involves things such as training building staff so they know how to use the technology and control systems, developing performance baselines for energy and comfort and making any necessary adjustments to the system to ensure it is always operating at its best,” he explains.
A recent project the company completed for the Hastings District Council entailed a significant upgrade to the building’s HVAC systems.
Jacksons completed an initial operational and condition report and made recommendations, then tendered and project managed the entire upgrade.
Lance says the biggest challenge was working in a live environment, which involved extensive liaison and planning with the client and building contractor to move staff around the building as stages of the upgrade progressed.
This was combined with a stringent approach to health and safety, controlling movements of staff and public within the building.
The project also involved converting the building’s old lighting system to new LEDs which contributed to a combined 38% saving in annual energy usage, says Lance.
Jacksons is discussing ongoing involvement in the building through a Continuous Commissioning service, including writing training manuals for staff and Lance believes tweaks to the system will further improve the already impressive energy savings.
Jacksons was started in 1995 and the company purchased by Lance in 2010 after he had spent 10 years in partnership with company founder Brian Jackson.
Since that time Lance and his business partner Scott Roberts have tripled staff numbers to 21 and Jacksons now has branches in Tauranga, Dunedin and Hawkes Bay to complement the Auckland head office.
Projects are completed throughout New Zealand and also internationally, including several world-first projects in the Maldives, which has seen Jacksons the first company to design the mechanical services for underwater restaurants.
A sea-water-cooled chiller, EC fans and adjustable air diffusers were just some of the solutions that Jacksons came up with.Helping buildings run more efficiently
While the company does consult on new installation projects on request, it is largely focused on helping existing buildings run more efficiently.
Lance says existing buildings are much more challenging to work on as Jacksons has to design solutions that work in with existing plant and infrastructure.
As a result he says Jacksons has become the “go-to company” for difficult projects. For example, Jacksons is currently assisting an essential public service client after the HVAC system unexpectedly stopped functioning.
Jacksons has organised emergency replacement plant and has commenced urgent design work for a more robust long term solution.
Lance says Jacksons predominantly works directly with building owners and building managers. It provides a much-needed layer of expertise and service beyond calling in a building maintenance company.
“We’re on site, do the investigations and work with the contractors. We understand how the equipment works and are involved in the set up. It is more than text book engineering – it’s real world engineering,” says Lance.
Getting Jacksons involved has real benefits for building owners and their clients, he says.
“Healthy, efficient buildings mean happier tenants, increased productivity, lower OPEX, higher occupancy rates, increased plant life, lower running costs and increased share-holder return.
“We use our engineering experience and knowledge to create healthy, energy-efficient, cost-effective buildings for our clients. We see our customers as long-term partners, focusing on each individual case, rather than trying to apply a standard cookiecutter response,” explains Lance.
He says that the company is ready for further growth including setting up additional branches to service more regions of New Zealand.