Existing Building Commissioning Pre-Screening Tool - Portfolio Assessment 

__Context__

Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) is an optimization process for existing buildings that includes the terms recommissioning (RCx) and retro-commissioning (Re-Cx). EBCx helps ensure that systems are operating optimally to meet occupants needs and provides a rigorous investigation to identify performance and integration issues. A primary focus of EBCx is to deliver “low-cost/no-cost” operational improvements to maximize comfort and energy savings. EBCx can be a standalone intervention or done in concert with a retroﬁt project.

__Methodology__

This EBCx Portfolio Pre-Screening Tool has been developed to help select the best building candidate(s) for existing building commissioning. Prioritizing a portfolio of buildings and selecting those that are the readiest and have the greatest potential for improvement can assist with long-term planning and enable building owners to take advantage of short-term paybacks. This tool is designed to be used at the planning phase of the standardized EBCx process. A score for each building is provided, representing the readiness for EBCx at the current point in time. 
Refer to the User Guide tab, question mark icons throughout the tool, or the link below for insights and additional information on how to complete this screening tool.

__Acknowledgements__

Natural Resources Canada would like to thank the following organizations for their assistance during the development of the tool: 

Prism Engineering and Portland Energy Conservation Inc. (PECI). 

As part of the various consultations conducted, numerous other organizations provided comments and suggestions for improvements. Their efforts are also gratefully acknowledged.

__Reproduction__

This tool and accompanying data are copyright of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada (2025). Duplication in any manner is forbidden without prior written permission, which may be obtained by contacting CanmetENERGY. 

© Minister of Natural Resources Canada 2025.

__Disclaimer & Indemnification__
This tool is provided on an “as is” basis. Natural Resources Canada nor does its minister, officers, employees or agents make any representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, arising by law or otherwise, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, or that the use of this tool will not infringe any intellectual property rights of third parties. In no event will Natural Resources Canada nor its minister, officers, employees or agents have any obligations or liability arising from tort, or for loss of revenue or profit, or for indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages as a result of your use of this tool. 

This tool is distributed for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Canada nor constitute an endorsement of any commercial product or person. Neither Canada, nor its ministers, officers, employees and agents make any warranty in respect to this tool nor assume any liability arising out of this tool. The recipient of this tool shall indemnify and save harmless Natural Resources Canada, and its employees and agents, from and against, and shall be responsible for all claims, demands, losses, costs, including solicitor and client costs, damages, action suits or proceedings, arising out of, related to, or occasioned by any use of this tool by the recipient. Natural Resources Canada shall have the right to defend any such action or proceeding with counsel of its own selection.


__Main references__

* NRCan Existing Building Commissioning Pre-Screening Tool (previous version), 2020.
https://natural-resources.canada.ca/sites/nrcan/files/canmetenergy/files/RCx%20%20Screening%20Form%20EN.pdf 

* CanmetENERGY's RCx Guide for Building Owners and Managers, ISBN 978-1-100-10035-7, Cat.: M39-123/2008E-PDF, NRCan, 2008.
(https://natural-resources.canada.ca/sites/nrcan/files/canmetenergy/pdf/fichier.php/codectec/En/2008-167/NRCan_RCx_Guide.pdf)

* Survey of Commercial and Institutional Energy Use (SCIEU) - Buildings 2019, Statistics Canada, Tables adapted by Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency (https://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/statistics/neud/dpa/menus/scieu/2019/tables.cfm)

* Canadian Energy Use Intensity by Property Type, Energy Star Portfolio Manager, Technical Reference, 2018.
(https://natural-resources.canada.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/energy/pdf/Canadian%20National%20Median%20Tables-EN-Aug2018-7.pdf)

* Canadian Regional Median Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity, Energy Star Portfolio Manager, Technical Reference, 2022.
(https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2023/rncan-nrcan/M144-285-7-2022-eng.pdf)

Organization: Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada