Use data to maximize building efficiency
Our Monitoring Based Commissioning (MBCx) program takes commissioning to the next level by using software to collect, analyze and report data to optimize energy efficiency. MBCx is not just about technology. It’s a continuous process of monitoring, analyzing and improving building operations collaboratively with your chosen commissioning professional. Utilize this program as a stand-alone opportunity, or you may combine it with our other commissioning programs to increase energy savings and incentives.
What you get
If you qualify for our MBCx program, you’ll receive:
- A comprehensive on-site review of your facility's systems once committed.
- Recommendations for low- and no-cost operational and maintenance (O&M) improvements.
- Identified capital projects, including energy-efficiency upgrades.
- Training to identify, track and maintain energy savings for O&M staff.
- An MBCx-specific facility guide documenting how to operate your building efficiently and to maintain realized energy savings.
Implementation incentive
Once the commissioning process has been implemented and all required training and documentation provided, you’ll receive the implementation incentive. This incentive is provided for the successful completion of the commissioning process and is not tied to how well the building has performed up to this point.
$0.15 per sq. ft.$0.10 per sq. ft.$0.05 per sq. ft.
75% of commissioning professional's feeFirst-year performance incentive
Once the building maintains efficient operation for one year after receiving the implementation incentive, earn an additional incentive if you’ve reached the 6% savings target. Most projects see a 60%–70% reimbursement of eligible project costs, including commissioning and improvement investments.
$0.05 per kWh saved$0.80 per therm saved100% of eligible project costs**The maximum total incentive for both MBCx performance incentives combined is 100% of eligible project costs for those projects realizing exceptional energy savings. Most projects receive total incentives covering 60%–70% of eligible project costs. Eligible project costs include commissioning provider’s fee, cost of operational improvement(s) and/or energy-efficiency upgrades.
Second-year performance incentive
To ensure continued savings, PSE offers a second performance incentive provided that the building maintains a minimum of 6% savings for an additional 10-month period.
$0.05 per kWh saved$0.80 per therm saved100% of eligible project costs**The maximum total incentive for both MBCx performance incentives combined is 100% of eligible project costs for those projects realizing exceptional energy savings. Most projects receive total incentives covering 60%–70% of eligible project costs. Eligible project costs include commissioning provider’s fee, cost of operational improvement(s) and/or energy-efficiency upgrades.
How you qualify
With our wide variety of energy-efficiency programs to choose from, it’s important to pick the one most suited for your building and your specific needs. Considering the unique characteristics of all buildings and the benefits of the MBCx program, we’ve identified and listed below the most helpful criteria to identify your building’s potential for MBCx.
- Building has 50,000 or more square feet of conditioned space.
- Building is at least 75% occupied.
- Building is managed by automated controls.
- Energy use is higher than expected and/or trending upward.
- Maintenance has been deferred to some extent.
- Building O&M staff desires efficiency training.
Commitments
The MBCx program uses quarterly reporting to support customer engagement, prioritize opportunities and keep the energy-saving momentum going.
For you to enjoy the benefits of a successful MBCx project, it’s necessary to commit to the process and requirements prior to beginning. The factors most associated with a successful project include:
- Management commitment
- Dedicated staff time
- Implementation of identified opportunities*
*The customer is only required to implement measures that have a two-year (or less) simple payback with a total implementation cost of no more than the following for each type of customer: $0.15 per square foot for dual-fuel customers, $0.10 per square foot for electric-only customers, and $0.10 per square foot for gas-only customers.
How you apply
To get pre-approved for the MBCx program, complete the online custom grant application and building checklist (available in the program document). Documents can be uploaded into the online application form from the Supporting Documents section.
Additional information
Find a commissioning professional
All of PSE’s commissioning programs require a minimum level of experience in addition to a high-level understanding of building energy systems. Successful providers have strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to investigate, implement and verify energy-efficiency opportunities.
PSE maintains an updated list of commissioning professionals who are pre-qualified to participate in all of PSE’s commissioning programs. We encourage you to find a professional from that list. If you have a person you wish to use that is not pre-approved, you can submit the commissioning professional application to receive pre-approval.
Watch this video to learn more
Hear from Jason Hyatt, our commissioning program manager, to learn more about our three commissioning programs and how they can help you. This video is a recording of a Coffee and Conversation virtual event from March 2023.
Swedish Issaquah: Learn how this hospital campus analyzed data to identify energy-saving adjustments that cut EUI by 7%.