When and How to Retrofit Your Commercial Building’s Automation, Electrical, and HVAC Systems

A retrofit of your commercial HVAC system is essential for older buildings to save on energy and utility costs while lowering your environmental impact.

High energy bills, frequent equipment malfunctions, eco-anxiety—operating a commercial building can come with all of the above, but the solution for all of these can be the same: a retrofit of your commercial building automation, electrical or HVAC system. 

What is an HVAC retrofit?

An HVAC retrofit is when you opt to upgrade or replace parts of your existing HVAC system for your building. The spectrum of work that can be done to retrofit a building is very broad—from minor tweaks to major system overhauls—but most often boils down to improvements that increase efficiency or lower energy demands. 

This could look like installing a new HVAC system, integrating building automation systems for increased efficiency, or more efficient lighting. 

Why retrofit your commercial building?

There are many reasons to consider a building retrofit that go beyond even the energy and cost savings that you may hear about the most frequently. The benefits of a retrofit include:

Increased efficiency and energy savings: One of the top reasons for a retrofit is the reduction in energy usage. New equipment and systems are designed to be as efficient as possible resulting in less wasted energy. A deep building retrofit can even save up to 60% of energy costs according to Natural Resources Canada. This could also look like smart building technology which controls when power is being used automatically, streamlining efficiency in your building without any extra effort on your part. 

Cost savings: While some people might hesitate to spend money on building upgrades until they are absolutely necessary, that’s a money-losing tactic in the long run. Retrofitting aging systems and equipment helps your bottom line through:

• Reduced utility bills.
• Lower repair costs by staying ahead of equipment failures, which, in turn, helps avoid larger, more costly repairs.
• Smart building systems help with troubleshooting so any issues can be addressed earlier, lowering repair and maintenance. 
• Staying ahead of new equipment before code changes or regulations force you to, potentially resulting in a larger price tag for a retrofit. 

Occupant health and safety: A building’s air and climate are key to healthy occupants. Upgrading ventilation, heating, and cooling systems ensures that the people in your building are breathing clean air, not overheating when the summer peaks, and not freezing in the depths of winter.  

Part of the solution: Energy efficiency does more than help your bottom line, it helps the environment. 

According to Natural Resources Canada:

• 13% of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada come from the building sector. That number jumps to 18% when including electricity-related emissions.
• Over 78% of building emissions come from space and water heating equipment.

Retrofitting outdated equipment is one of the best ways you can contribute to a greener future through your commercial building. 

Optics: Even if the environmental impact of your building isn’t a top priority for yourself, it might be for your occupants. Investing in greener building technologies sends a positive signal to occupants and others outside of your building. 

Building codes: Building codes are ever-evolving, and with Canada’s efforts to curb the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, you can expect them to continue on that path. By being proactive about retrofits, you avoid the shock and costs of suddenly having to bring your building up to code. 

Example: Heritage building meets modern building codes at Mirabel Vineyards

When Mirabel Vineyards in the Okanagan decided to open a tasting room in a heritage Quonset hut, the structure had to be carefully updated to meet modern building codes while retaining its heritage features. Using Kimco’s expertise in HVAC, electrical, and relationship building the technology company was able to liaise with FortisBC and complete the work skillfully and under budget.

Rebates for energy efficiency retrofits

One of the hesitations that building owners can have when it comes to retrofitting ageing technology is the cost of the upgrades. 

The good news is that FortisBC provides rebates for current natural gas or electricity customers. 

Kimco can help you discover any opportunities for rebated retrofits with FortisBC. Under this rebate program, Kimco will handle all the communications with FortisBC, making it simple and stress-free to gain the benefits of a natural gas or electricity upgrade for your building. To learn more about this program, get in touch!

Signs it’s time for a retrofit

So, how do you know when it’s time to embark on a retrofit for your building? There are several signs you can take note of, including:

• Increasing energy bills
• Inconsistent heating and cooling
• Frequent equipment repairs and failures
• Aging or outdated equipment

Performing an audit of your building is another way to assess whether or not it’s time for a retrofit. This is best performed with a professional who can also help determine whether your building is using energy efficiently—this is sometimes referred to as an energy audit. 

If you’re looking for an HVAC and electrical professional to help judge whether your building is a good candidate for an HVAC system retrofit, Kimco can help. 

Types of retrofits

You’ll hear the term retrofit a lot, but it can apply to a vast range of improvements for a building—from major overhauls to minor equipment upgrades or even repurposing old buildings.

Minor retrofits, a.k.a “quick wins”
Minor retrofits are the quick wins of the building improvement world. These small actions are a great starting point for a greener building and can include:

• More efficient lighting systems 
• Window or door improvements to prevent draughts
• Added or improved insulation

These are just a few examples of minor changes that can help reduce energy consumption over time. 

Example: Savings meets efficiency for Pushor Mitchell Lawyers

Longtime clients Pushor Mitchell Lawyers took advantage of a FortisBC rebate in order to update an ageing boiler in the building. The insight required to complete the upgrade in a timely fashion was due, in part, to the quarterly maintenance agreement that the law firm has with Kimco. In addition to the ability to time the update, Kimco was able to help facilitate tremendous savings through the FortisBC rebate for Pushor Mitchell. 

Major retrofits: Big upgrades for big impact
A big step up from the minor leagues, major retrofits require the help of an experienced HVAC and building automation contractor and could include a complete overhaul of your building. This could look like:

• Building automation integration 
• Installing new, efficient heating and cooling systems including heat pumps
• Reshaping architectural features of the building for maximum efficiency including doors, windows, or roof

Example: Major overhaul, zero service interruption for Nav Canada

One of the most impressive retrofits completed by Kimco Controls is the Nav Canada Air Traffic Control Tower in Kamloops. This government building was completely retrofitted, with outdated equipment upgraded and the latest building automation technologies implemented. Critically, the work had to be performed without interrupting the building services.  

The importance of maintenance programs 

Quarterly maintenance programs play a key role in building retrofits. Under a quarterly maintenance program, your HVAC contractor can pinpoint equipment for upgrades in advance, giving you the ability to plan and budget for the new technology. 

This forecasting ability is like preventative medicine for your building. It is key to implementing those “quick wins” into your business regularly, making energy efficiency changes more affordable, manageable, and something you can plan for. 

Work with a people-first company that has been on the cutting edge of building automation, HVAC, and electrical technology in the Thompson-Okanagan for 40 years. See how Kimco can help.