Building Commissioning & Testing | Emerald Built Environments

Every building has a job to do—but not every building does it well. Maybe it’s using more energy than expected, running hotter or colder than it should, or creating comfort complaints you can’t quite trace. You’re not imagining it. Studies show that commercial buildings waste up to 30% of the energy they consume simply because systems weren’t set up, integrated, or maintained properly.

That’s where Building Commissioning comes in. It’s the difference between hoping your building is performing and knowing it is. Commissioning takes your design intent, your performance goals, and your day-to-day operational needs—and makes sure your building actually delivers on them. New construction, existing building, or somewhere in between, it’s a process that gives you clarity, confidence, and fewer surprises.

With Emerald Built Environments, you get a commissioning team that thinks like owners, operators, and problem-solvers. We help your building work the way it should: efficiently, comfortably, and without the constant troubleshooting.

What Is Building Commissioning?

Building commissioning is, at its core, a simple idea: make sure your building actually does what it was designed to do. Systems like HVAC, lighting, controls, electrical, plumbing, and even the building envelope are supposed to work together as one coordinated ecosystem. Commissioning verifies that they do—and ensures nothing gets overlooked.

Think of it as quality assurance for your entire building—not just during construction, but throughout its life. It includes reviewing the design, checking installation, running functional tests, and making sure your operations team understands how everything should work. Instead of guessing why something isn’t performing, commissioning finds the root cause and fixes it before it becomes a bigger (and more expensive) problem.

The outcome? A smoother-running building, fewer headaches, reduced energy waste, and a better experience for the people who use the space every day.

Lower Operating Costs

Commissioned buildings typically use 5–10% less energy. That’s real, measurable savings—not to mention fewer surprise repair bills.

Better Comfort for Occupants

Consistent temperature, cleaner air, and well-tuned lighting create a space people actually want to be in. Happier occupants = fewer complaints.

Easier Path to Certification

Commissioning supports LEED, WELL, ENERGY STAR, and other building performance programs by verifying the systems that matter most.

Longer Equipment Life

When systems are set up correctly, they don’t have to work as hard. That means less wear, fewer failures, and longer-lasting equipment.

Reduced Risk Across the Board

Catch issues early, avoid expensive callbacks, and keep your building performing the way it was designed. No mysteries. No guesswork.

When Should You Commission a Building?

Short answer: any time you want it to perform better.

Commissioning isn’t just for new construction—it’s valuable at every stage of a building’s life. Whether you’re trying to make sure a brand-new facility starts strong or your existing building just isn’t living up to expectations, commissioning gives you clarity on what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next.

Here’s how it fits at each phase:

New Construction (Cx): Make sure everything is installed correctly, integrated properly, and ready to perform before anyone moves in.
Existing Buildings (Retro-Commissioning, RCx): Uncover hidden inefficiencies, eliminate energy waste, and solve performance issues that have been lingering for years.
Ongoing Maintenance (Re-Commissioning, ReCx): Keep systems running the way they were meant to—no performance drift, no unexpected surprises, just consistent, reliable operation.

No matter where your building is in its lifecycle, commissioning helps you avoid reactive fixes and get ahead of performance problems before they disrupt comfort or drive up costs.

What Types of Commissioning
Does Emerald Provide?

Every building has different needs—so commissioning shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Emerald provides a full suite of commissioning services that support new projects, existing buildings, and long-term performance goals. Whether you’re fine-tuning a single system or evaluating the entire building, we tailor our approach to what will have the biggest impact.

Here’s what we offer:

MEP Commissioning (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Controls)

Verifies that your mechanical and electrical systems are installed correctly, integrated smoothly, and operating at peak efficiency.

LEED, WELL, and ENERGY STAR Commissioning Support

Provides the documentation, verification, and performance testing required to meet certification standards with confidence.

Retro-Commissioning for Existing Buildings

Identifies inefficiencies and operational issues that have crept in over time and uncovers clear, actionable improvements.

Ongoing / Re-Commissioning Programs

Maintains long-term performance by preventing system drift and keeping your building running consistently year after year.

Code Compliance Testing & Commissioning

Confirms your project meets required energy code standards—such as ASHRAE 90.1-2019—and provides the verification needed for a smooth path to your certificate of occupancy.