MKL is a Wellington-based company specializing in commercial HVAC commissioning and balancing. Since its establishment in 2006, MKL has built a strong reputation in the industry. Our company director, Jeremy Lawson, has over 20 years of experience in the commercial HVAC sector, with expertise spanning all areas of the trade.

With a commitment to solid principles and business ethics, MKL has grown steadily and now leads the industry in Wellington, setting the standard for testing and commissioning commercial HVAC systems. Our reputation for providing a professional service that exceeds client expectations is well-known throughout the industry.

At MKL, we focus on delivering independent, accurate, and professional system commissioning and reporting. We are specialists in HVAC commissioning, offering a wide range of key services, including:

• Air & Waterflow Commissioning to ensure optimal comfort for building occupants.
• Building Tuning to maximize energy savings.
• Plant Testing to ensure your HVAC system delivers the performance you expect.
• Building Surveys, Problem Solving & System Investigation for identifying and resolving issues in faulty or underperforming systems, in collaboration with consulting engineers.
• Operating & Maintenance Manuals to ensure proper system maintenance.
• Isolation Room Testing.
• Medical Gas Testing and Reporting.
• Swegon Commissioning Agent for Wellington & Manawatu Regions.

In today’s evolving construction environment, comprehensive and independent HVAC testing is more critical than ever for improving building performance.

Commissioning is essential when an HVAC system is installed to ensure it performs as intended, providing a comfortable environment for building occupants. It’s crucial to engage skilled, experienced professionals who can execute precise commissioning. This requires a clear specification, careful planning, coordination across trades, and sufficient time for execution.

Proper testing and commissioning of HVAC systems is one of the most effective ways to improve a building’s energy efficiency. HVAC systems consume a significant portion of energy in office buildings, and commissioning is a cost-effective method to enhance energy performance. The savings generated from better performance can easily offset the costs of commissioning.

The benefits of thorough commissioning include reduced energy costs, improved indoor air quality, enhanced occupant comfort and safety, lower maintenance costs due to greater system reliability, and a longer lifespan for the HVAC plant. These improvements can also increase the overall value of the building.

As technology advances, building owners, HVAC professionals, and facility managers are increasingly aware of the need for comprehensive commissioning to achieve energy efficiency and optimal performance in new buildings, as well as re-commissioning older buildings to boost their energy efficiency.

 

What is Commissioning?

Commissioning is the process of configuring plant and equipment to operate safely, efficiently, and in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines, while also meeting the performance objectives set by mechanical services design engineers. It involves a series of tasks, such as installation checks, pressure tests, verification of safety and functional controls, and the setup and balancing of flow rates for water and air.

HVAC systems rely on water and air distribution networks—pipes and ducts respectively. For these systems to function optimally, it is crucial to properly set the design flow rates of water and air through key equipment and the building’s distribution network. This process is known as “balancing” the system. If the system isn’t properly balanced, water and air may flow through paths of least resistance, leading to occupant discomfort due to inadequate or excessive heating or cooling. Improper balancing can also cause energy wastage, excessive noise, and even equipment failure.

 

What is Recommissioning?

Recommissioning is performed on older buildings that have been in use for several years. It involves restoring the system’s operating parameters to align with the original design intent, as outlined in the operating and maintenance manuals. Recommissioning aims to address issues that have developed over time and are negatively impacting the performance and efficiency of the HVAC system. Common issues include:

• System modifications made during fit-outs or renovations
• Changes in occupancy, either in terms of usage or density
• Inefficient operational practices, such as ad hoc adjustments to control setpoints or manually operating plant equipment as a quick fix to complaints
• Deterioration of equipment, such as sensors drifting out of calibration, leaky dampers and valves, malfunctioning actuators, and poor maintenance practices (e.g., blocked strainers, dirty air filters, fouled heat exchangers, or leaking ducts and pipes)

The need for recommissioning can be identified through signs like a drop in energy performance, occupant complaints about discomfort, or by reviewing data from the building management system (BMS).

Regular recommissioning should be conducted to maintain the efficiency and performance of HVAC systems in buildings over time.