Rockville District Courthouse Achieves 50% Energy Reduction Through Retro-commissioning
The Rockville District Courthouse in Maryland reduced its energy consumption by 50% through a retro-commissioning process conducted by RMF Engineering and Control Sources. Initially, the building, opened in 2011, became the highest energy consumer for the Maryland Department of General Services by 2018, with an average natural gas consumption of 98,815 Therms annually.
RMF identified 34 control deficiencies in the building's Building Automation System (BAS), which were resolved in two phases: Investigation and Implementation. Upgrades included software enhancements and reprogramming of HVAC systems, leading to a 46% reduction in natural gas usage and a 30% drop in electricity consumption by the end of 2023.
These improvements resulted in a $40,000 utility rebate and a payback period of less than three months, alongside ongoing annual savings of $220,000. The project earned the State Building Energy Award in 2021.
