Facility Engineering Services
SERVICES
Through SEA’s energy consulting practices and engineering services, our cross-functional team of professional engineers and licensed architects evaluate infrastructure reliability for critical facility requirements. Acting on behalf of the owner, our approach ensures facilities are operating at peak performance, whether it’s a newly constructed building or aging infrastructure.
"The value the SEA team brought to our project was undeniable. SEA integrated seamlessly with our staff, the architects, engineers and contractors in order to achieve a successful, fully operational and accurate project. Their ability to work with everyone, troubleshoot and speak in ways that the entire team could understand while acting on the owner's behalf was invaluable."
Our team of licensed engineers with mechanical, electrical, plumbing and building envelope expertise combined with our energy knowledge will consult on your designs to ensure your facility is operating efficiently and sustainably. Through SEA’s energy consulting practices, our cross functional team of professional engineers and licensed architects evaluate infrastructure reliability for critical facility requirements. Acting on behalf of the owner, our approach ensures facilities are operating at peak performance, whether it’s a newly constructed building or aging infrastructure. Many of our engineers are also Certified Energy Managers, and they represent a variety of engineering tasks, from mechanical to electrical. They are also licensed by ACG, AEE, BCxA, NEBB, and other accredited commissioning organizations. Commissioning Authorities (CxA), Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional (CLEP), National Environmental Balancing Bureau Certified Professional (NEBB CP), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) are just some of the certifications held by our team.
SEA provides new construction and retro-commissioning services to ensure proper building performance. As an integral component of a facility’s lifecycle, SEA’s commissioning processes ensure proper performance. Our strong commissioning expertise is founded in our team’s knowledge for applying industry standard commissioning practices across system design with innovative troubleshooting, quality assurance, attention to detail and unprecedented guidance for training facility teams in lifecycle operations and maintenance (O&M). We work to effectively and affordably identify and solve building systems issues at each phase of the building’s lifecycle, from new construction to renovation, many times with no and low-cost solutions that our teams can implement themselves.
Developing an efficient facility is what we do. We assist building owners in achieving capital cost avoidance, optimized energy use, and reduced maintenance costs all while ensuring occupant comfort and maintaining the quality of indoor air. Today’s buildings are complex and have interdependent systems with sophisticated controls. Even a small operational problem can greatly disrupt a building’s performance. Optimizing a building’s energy consumption requires an approach that allows equipment and systems to function together in an efficient and cost-effective way to meet occupant requirements and expectations. Building optimization combines a number of sustainable strategies that are used to examine and perpetually address elements of existing buildings that can be optimized without the need for heavy capital investment. ROI of 25% to 50% and savings of 15% to 45% are reasonable expectations.
Read more about Building OptimizationBuilding automation systems manage various components within a facility, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Our team of licensed professional engineers is experienced in improving system efficiency, reducing operational costs, and enhancing occupant comfort through automated building energy management systems. As a brand-neutral company, we recommend and implement solutions that best meet your energy-saving goals, regardless of the control system manufacturer. We work with all major control systems available on the market.
Our engineers specialize in developing high-performance energy-saving sequences of operation for HVAC control systems. With experience ranging from large multi-building campuses to individual medical facilities, we bring comprehensive knowledge of devices, sensors, and a variety of HVAC configurations. We focus on tailoring solutions to each organization’s specific needs, delivering results that improve both efficiency and comfort.
Read more about Building automation servicesOur team specializes in the design and optimization of control systems for HVAC, lighting, and other MEP systems. We focus on measuring and controlling critical variables such as temperature, pressure, humidity, airflow, and lighting levels to ensure optimal system performance. SEA’s engineers are experts in recommending control devices, systems, and best practices. We deploy sensors to continuously monitor these variables, enabling real-time feedback for advanced fault detection, data analytics, and system optimization. This data-driven approach allows building operators to identify issues early, make informed adjustments, and ensure that systems are operating at peak efficiency and reliability.
Measurement and Verification (M&V) is the process used to quantify the savings achieved by Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). In the Federal Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) process, M&V involves four key activities: establishing baselines, estimating savings, developing the M&V plan, creating the post-installation M&V report, and performing annual M&V reviews. The M&V plan is crucial for ensuring the energy savings guarantee. SEA collaborates with energy service companies on behalf of owners, helping define the appropriate M&V methods and activities to ensure accurate savings and project success.
Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) is the process of evaluating temperature and environmental control systems to ensure they are heating and cooling according to design specifications and the equipment’s best level of efficiency. SEA’s process involves using test instruments, sensors and monitors to verify proper temperatures, air flow and other characteristics of HVAC systems. Whether you are looking to incorporate TAB into your overall commissioning process, or wish to perform it as a stand-alone function, SEA’s goal is to help educate our clients about all energy and mechanical settings for increased occupant comfort and maximum equipment optimization.
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services ensure that facilities and their systems perform according to design. O&M encompasses the daily activities necessary to maintain smooth and efficient system operation. SEA understands that O&M represents a significant portion of a facility's lifecycle costs.
In the commissioning process, our team reviews and verifies the completeness and accuracy of O&M manuals provided by the contractor. We ensure that these manuals meet the project’s requirements and include critical information such as equipment details, startup and shutdown procedures, maintenance schedules, and troubleshooting guides. This thorough review helps ensure the long-term operational efficiency of systems while minimizing future operational issues.
Building Enclosure systems consist of a complex combination of materials and multiple trade contractor installations. The complexity of these systems and integration, along with accelerated design and construction schedules can be challenging. SEA will work with key stakeholders with a mindfulness of budgets, timeliness and clear communication to ensure all stakeholders are well informed, intent of design is preserved, and clients achieve excellent roof, exterior walls and waterproofing systems.
Your building enclosure is your barrier for protecting your interior environments. At SEA, we provide the highest quality evaluations from licensed and credentialed professionals. We recommend the most sustainable and resilient supplies and methods to maximize your long-term investment. The result is reduced maintenance costs and future cost avoidance from the elimination and prevention of roof leaks, protection of interiors and increased productivity from displaced occupants during potential remediation.
At SEA, we are committed to ensuring your team is fully prepared to manage new or updated systems. Based on the project scope, SEA will either conduct the necessary training or verify that training sessions conducted by contractors and system providers meet all required standards. Our team reviews training agendas and materials to ensure they are accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with the project goals.
Our energy efficiency experts support tailored training programs specific to your building systems, focusing on long-term operational success and reduced maintenance costs. We also ensure training documentation is provided, with options for video recordings to offer consistent knowledge transfer and support ongoing staff development. SEA provides ongoing support to help your team maintain system efficiency and troubleshoot effectively, ensuring that all stakeholders are well-equipped for optimal system performance.
SEA differentiates itself with the ability and knowledge to make sure the work that is performed can be accredited through various government programs. Whether you are seeking ENERGY STAR Certification or want to obtain LEED certification for your projects, SEA provides building owners and operators with the guidance needed to gain the accreditation our client owners desire. SEA is a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council, providing building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance. SEA has extensive experience with the technical guidance needed to comply with each of the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Existing Buildings, ENERGY STAR guidelines and Energy Accreditation Services.
SEA employs state-of-the-art tools, advanced software, and sophisticated methodologies to deliver predictive analytics that go beyond standard monitoring. By leveraging historical utility data and real-time system performance metrics, we provide actionable insights that enable early detection of inefficiencies and potential system failures. Our predictive models identify patterns and anomalies across your building's operational data, facilitating proactive risk mitigation and ensuring peak system performance. Through advanced fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD), we not only address current issues but also predict and prevent future operational challenges, empowering you to make data-driven decisions that optimize energy consumption, reduce operational costs, and extend the lifespan of your equipment.
As utility companies face increasing regulatory pressures and the evolving economics of renewable energy, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your facility is on the most favorable rate structure. SEA works directly with utility representatives to analyze and negotiate the best possible rates for your facility. We perform in-depth reviews of rate schedules, including time-of-use, demand charges, and ratchet clauses, ensuring your operations are aligned with the most cost-effective options. Our comprehensive analysis also includes evaluating power factor penalties, seasonal rates, and renewable energy credits. By verifying that your facility is on the optimal rate schedule, we help reduce energy costs and improve your overall operational efficiency.
SEA develops comprehensive rebate and incentive reports tailored to the specific scope and needs of each energy-efficient project. We ensure that clients maximize all available financial benefits, including local utility rebates, federal tax credits, and other available incentives. Additionally, we manage the entire application process for grants and incentives, identifying opportunities for third-party financing while navigating complex funding programs to secure the best financial outcomes. Our services include detailed life-cycle cost analyses, enabling clients to optimize savings and achieve the fastest payback periods. Whether through utility incentives, tax credits, or grant programs, SEA helps clients leverage all available resources to improve their bottom line and meet sustainability goals.
Core Engineering Solutions
Any of these Facility Engineering Services can also be a part of our On-Site Energy Management Programs.
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
Facility Engineering Services are the core principles and practices for everything we do. Whether you are interested in assessments and audits for capital planning of new construction of infrastructure upgrades, commissioning and building optimization, hosting on-site energy management professionals, developing resilience and sustainability strategies or looking into alternative and renewable energy sources for your portfolios, SEA has more than 30 years of proven experience.