Do you own or manage a commercial building in Edmonton? If so, you’ve likely heard about “building automation upgrades” before. But with rising costs and increased uncertainty, it can be hard to justify investing in this upgrade–especially if you don’t understand what it entails.
At Karlen-Kada, we hear these concerns all the time. Building owners often ask us: Are building automation upgrades really worth it? Will it significantly disrupt my operation? What happens with my existing mechanical equipment? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions and more. Keep reading for a complete guide to building automation upgrades in Edmonton.
What are Building Automation Upgrades?
Building automation upgrades are improvements made to an existing building automation system (BAS), also often called a building management system (BMS). These upgrades help modernize how building systems are monitored, controlled, and managed.
In many legacy building automation systems, the equipment may still operate, but the technology is outdated. Operators may not be able to see what is happening in real time, adjust schedules easily, track energy use, or identify when systems are working against each other.
Modern building automation upgrades help solve these issues by improving visibility, reliability, and control. This is particularly helpful for building managers and property management companies in Edmonton by providing better data about how their facilities are actually performing.
Partial vs. Full Building Automation Upgrades
Not every building needs a full BAS replacement. In fact, partial building automation upgrades are often a great first step. These targeted retrofits could include:
- Updating front-end controls
- Upgrading to new sensors or actuators
- Integrating open protocols
- Adding remote access
However, in some situations, a full BAS upgrade is required. This typically occurs when a building’s existing BAS is obsolete or will become unsupported in the near future. This may involve replacing major parts of the control system and rebuilding how the BAS communicates with HVAC equipment, lighting control systems, and other connected systems.
While a full upgrade is more comprehensive, it doesn’t have to disrupt your business. By working with Karlen-Kada, we can conduct a full BAS system review and assessment, help you identify which systems are the highest priorities for upgrading, and develop a phased approach with this information in mind.
Key Components of Building Automation Upgrades
Typically, building automation upgrades can include several different components. For most commercial buildings in Edmonton, this starts with front-end controls, mechanical sensors, pneumatic controls, and HVAC controls.
Front-End Controls
Front-end controls are the part of the building automation system that operators use to view and manage the building. If the front end is outdated, the entire BAS can feel difficult to use. Operators may have trouble finding alarms, reviewing temperatures, adjusting schedules, or understanding what equipment is doing.
Modern front-end BAS controls can provide a clearer view of:
- HVAC equipment status
- zone temperatures
- occupancy schedules
- alarms
- lighting control systems
- energy use
- trend data
This visibility is one of the most valuable parts of a building automation upgrade. It helps operators move from guessing to informed decision-making.
Mechanical Sensors and Pneumatic Controls
Mechanical sensors collect the information a BAS needs to control the building. These sensors may measure temperature, humidity, pressure, airflow, occupancy, or equipment status.
When sensors are outdated, inaccurate, or poorly connected, the building automation system may make poor decisions. This can lead to comfort complaints, inefficient HVAC controls, and higher energy consumption.
Some older buildings may also still rely on pneumatic controls. Pneumatic controls use compressed air to operate valves, dampers, and other mechanical components. While these systems were common in older buildings, they can become harder to maintain and less precise than modern direct digital controls.
In some cases, pneumatic controls can be phased out over time. In others, they may be integrated into a broader BAS upgrade plan. The best approach depends on the condition of the building and the goals of the upgrade.
Key Benefits of Modernizing Legacy BAS Systems
Modernizing legacy building automation systems can help Edmonton businesses in several ways, including:
Visibility
While it might not seem like a big deal, here’s the truth: visibility is one of the best reasons to invest in building automation upgrades.
Modern BAS upgrades allow building owners and property managers to see everything happening across their building in one place. They can see what systems are running, how much energy is being used, and more.
This is especially important in multi-tenant commercial buildings. For example, one tenant may be trying to cool their space while another is trying to heat theirs. If the system does not identify the conflict, the building can waste energy and drive up utility costs. A modern BAS upgrade helps operators spot these conflicts faster by showing zone temperatures, equipment activity, schedules, and system trends in one place. It can even allow building managers to set an approved temperature range for added control.
Reliability
Legacy BAS systems can become unreliable as controls, sensors, software, and communication networks age. For example, outdated pneumatic controls can create serious issues, leading to poor system performance and tenant discomfort.
Modern building automation upgrades can improve reliability by updating weak points in the system. This may include front-end controls, BAS controllers, mechanical sensors, direct digital controls, alarms, or communication components.
Remote Access
Remote access is another major benefit of modern BAS technology. Many legacy building automation systems require operators to be on-site to check conditions, adjust schedules, or respond to alarms. This can slow down response times, especially for property managers responsible for more than one building.
With remote access, authorized users can review the BAS from outside the building. This can help with after-hours troubleshooting, alarm review, schedule changes, and faster response to comfort complaints.
For Edmonton businesses, remote access can be especially useful during extreme weather. If heating, cooling, or ventilation equipment is not operating properly, faster access to the BAS can help operators understand the issue sooner.
Request a Quote for Building Automation Upgrades in Edmonton
Ready to get started? The Karlen-Kada team is here to help. We are proud to serve commercial and industrial clients in Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and other surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can optimize your BAS and HVAC controls.