Smart thermostats, occupancy sensors, lighting control, and HVAC integration — typically 5–30% off operating costs depending on the systems controlled and the building's baseline.
Building automation isn't about gadgets. It's about reducing the energy your building burns when nobody's in it — and improving comfort when somebody is. Done right, automation typically delivers a 5–30% reduction in operating costs. For multifamily owners, it also reduces resident complaints and shortens turn time between leases.
The biggest energy-waste opportunities in most commercial and multifamily buildings are HVAC systems running at full setpoint in unoccupied spaces, lights left on overnight in common areas, and ventilation running outside business hours. Each of these is fixable with sensors and control logic that didn't exist 15 years ago at any reasonable price point.
We design and install building automation around the highest-ROI changes first. Per-unit smart thermostats with vacancy setbacks in multifamily. Occupancy sensors in conference rooms, restrooms, and common areas. Daylight harvesting in spaces with windows. HVAC integration so a building can react to actual occupancy instead of running on a static schedule.
Most of our automation work is retrofit — we don't require new construction or a full HVAC replacement to deliver savings. Wireless sensors, IP-based thermostats, and modern building automation platforms communicate with existing HVAC through BACnet, Modbus, and similar protocols. We assess your current systems and integrate where it's economically practical.
Real automation outcomes — HVAC that responds to occupancy, lighting that pays back, dashboards that show ROI instead of hiding it.
HVAC setbacks during vacancy. Lighting schedules. Demand-response in peak hours. Typical buildings see 5–30% savings depending on baseline and how much we can integrate.
Most automation deployments pay back in 2–4 years, with hardware running for a decade. The ROI math is straightforward and easy to model.
Residents control their own thermostat from an app. Common-area temperature is regulated automatically. "It's too hot/cold" calls drop dramatically.
Smart-home features lift rents 10–20% in industry studies. Building automation is the underlying tech that makes those features work.
Door reads trigger HVAC and lighting. Conference rooms come online when badged into; common areas adjust to actual occupancy.
Wireless sensors and IP-based thermostats reduce the need to open walls. Most automation deployments are retrofit, not new construction.
If any of these sound like your BAS, your energy bill, or the four dashboards nobody logs into, you're in the right place.
Utility bills go up when units are vacant because thermostats keep running at the previous resident's setpoint.
Vacancy-detection automation. Units default to 68°F (summer) / 60°F (winter) when unoccupied. Resets to resident preferences at lease start.
Common-area lights run overnight even when nobody's in the building.
Occupancy sensors plus scheduled overrides. Lights run when needed, dim or off otherwise.
Conference rooms heat up before meetings and stay heated for hours after.
Occupancy-based HVAC. Room comes online when badged into; returns to setback when empty.
Your HVAC runs on a static schedule that doesn't reflect actual usage.
Dynamic scheduling based on occupancy data. The system learns your actual usage patterns and adjusts.
You can't see which units or zones are running inefficiently.
Dashboard showing utility usage at unit or zone level. Outliers surface; you can target the high-consumers.
Residents are constantly calling about temperature issues.
Per-unit smart thermostats let residents control their own space. Property managers see building-wide patterns to identify systemic issues.
HVAC control, lighting, energy sub-metering, occupancy, integration, dashboards — when we say "complete automation," this is what we mean.
IP-based thermostats with scheduling, zone setpoints, and remote diagnostics. Per-unit control for multifamily with property-manager oversight. Common protocols (BACnet, Modbus, Wi-Fi) work with most existing HVAC equipment.
Lights and HVAC respond to whether a room is in use and how much sunlight is reaching it. The simplest, highest-ROI component of an automation system.
Scenes, schedules, dimming, daylight harvesting, and demand-response. Common areas, conference rooms, retail spaces, restrooms. Reduces utility waste and improves perceived ambient quality.
Integration with existing commercial HVAC via BACnet, Modbus, or vendor APIs. Older systems may need a controller upgrade; we assess at the walk-through.
Door reads trigger HVAC and lighting. Conference rooms badge to life; common-area gym lights when someone enters. Closes the loop between physical access and energy systems.
Residents control their thermostat, lighting, blinds (where wired), and door from a single app. Lifts rents (industry research shows premium for smart-equipped units) and reduces front-desk tickets.
Visibility into utility usage at zone or unit level. Identify high-consumers, target intervention, measure savings. Useful for owner reporting and sustainability programs.
Many utilities offer rebates for participating in demand-response programs. We integrate with those programs where they exist and your equipment supports it.
4 phases. One project lead. Transparent timeline and line items from day one.
Not slogans. The building-automation operating principles that show up in every project.
We don't require new HVAC. We integrate with what you have using standard protocols and modern controllers.
You see the projected savings and payback before approving the project. No "trust us, it'll save you money."
Automation isn't isolated. It ties into access control, surveillance, and the resident app — one platform, one experience.
Managed-services agreements include monthly review of automation performance. We adjust schedules and setpoints as your building's usage patterns evolve.
Automation scope varies by industry — multifamily leans HVAC-and-lighting on vacancy, CRE focuses on tenant sub-metering and after-hours HVAC, education targets summer setback and holiday schedules.
Automation only saves money when it's tied to occupancy, access events, and lighting controls — otherwise it's just another dashboard.
Common automation questions — occupancy sensors, lighting-control protocols, and tying HVAC schedules to actual usage.
Yes. Most of our automation work is retrofit. Wireless sensors and IP-based thermostats reduce the need to open walls. Older HVAC may need a controller upgrade; we assess at the walk-through.
Most modern commercial HVAC supports BACnet, Modbus, or vendor APIs. Older equipment may need a controller upgrade or replacement of specific components. We assess and quote at design.
They get one app — the resident app — that controls thermostat, lighting, door, and intercom. Property managers get a separate dashboard with building-wide visibility.
2–4 years for most multifamily and commercial deployments. Buildings with high baseline energy use or significant after-hours waste see faster payback. Our model shows your specific case before you commit.
Yes — automation works regardless of provider. Some utilities offer rebates for demand-response participation; we integrate with those programs where they exist.
Yes. Per-unit thermostats give residents control of their own space from the resident app. Property managers see building-wide patterns but don't override individual units.
Resident overrides take priority within their unit. Property-manager-set vacancy setpoints kick in only when the unit is vacant per lease records.
Yes, and most projects work this way. Thermostats have the fastest ROI. Common-area lighting and HVAC controls add when the budget allows.
In-unit lighting control is usually limited to lamps and outlets (smart plugs) unless the wiring supports it. Common-area lighting (hallways, gym, lobby) is where most multifamily lighting automation happens.
Free consultation. We'll come walk the space, listen to what you're trying to fix, and tell you what's possible at three different price points.