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# Salas O'Brien News# What is commissioning? Is it really a must-have?Salas O'Brien on Jan 20, 2017 10:58:08 AMBuildings operating at less than peak efficiency cost building owners money—lots of money in many cases. The EPA estimates that commercial buildings waste 30% or more in energy. And this doesn'teven begin to include costs associated with lost employee productivity.A service called **commissioning** can change this. A commissioning team independently represents the interests of the owner in the construction process, ensuring thata building is designed, documented, and built in a way that meets the owner’s ultimate objectives and will last well into the future.### Is commissioning really a must-have?In some cases, commissioning is actually required by law or project goals. For example, owners seeking LEED or Green Globes certification are required to obtain independent, third-party commissioning. Commissioning is also required by California's CALGreen/Title 24, as well as in any jurisdiction governed by the 2012 or 2015 International Energy Code. (As of December 2016, over 21 states require commissioning per code.)But what if a project is not bound by law or project requirements to use a third-party commissioning agent? Is commissioning still a must-have?Yes. Aside from any project incentives or legal requirements, commissioning contributes anumber of other benefits for any building owner hoping to maintain a cost-efficient, well-functioning facility:* Energy savings through lower operating costs* Better bid documents and reduced change orders* Shorter building transition period* Less post-occupancy corrective work* Better indoor environment for occupants* More knowledgeable O&M staffIn other words, a small upfront investment in commissioning is often quickly repaid in energy savings, reduced final construction cost, and occupant satisfaction.### More about commissioning