Discover the gold mine: HVAC system upgrades for building renovation
HVAC upgrades with our retrofit solutions
Choose your impact
Every building faces challenges, whether big or small. Tackling them effectively can lead to numerous benefits. Simple adjustments can create impressive results, and you can achieve even more with a little extra effort. Adapting the hydronic network for heating and cooling provides substantial advantages but is not always necessary. At Belimo, we believe in taking small steps for significant gains - "Small devices, big impact."
We understand the sweet spot - maximising energy savings, boosting system efficiency, and elevating comfort levels. Whether you're looking for a simple improvement, a significant overhaul, or something in between, we have the technology and expertise to help.
- RetroFIT+
- Success stories
6 reasons why you should retrofit your building
Evaluate the energy-saving potential of your building's hydronic system with just a few clicks. Download a comprehensive assessment report for detailed insights.
A building's accommodation may change over time. Accordingly, it is important that the technical equipment is also adapted to the new accommodation. Energy-efficient building renovations can be implemented economically by adjusting the existing system, replacing outdated HVAC components, or by adding new, up-to-date technological advancements. It is not always necessary to renew or replace entire systems to increase energy efficiency and minimise operating costs.
Use our checklist to find out whether your building is in accordance with today's energy requirements.
Uncovering energy demands in diverse buildings with RetroFIT+
Optimising energy usage benefits all buildings, but each type has unique load profiles and requirements. Tailored approaches ensure efficiency, air quality, and comfort for occupants. RetroFIT+ is a major component of any building’s lifecycle and can make an enormous difference in the efficiency of a facility. Our team has decades of experience in the HVAC industry, and our products are proven to deliver results. Let's explore how RetroFIT+ can revolutionise energy usage in different types of buildings:
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Seasonally in session
Given that its occupancy is directly related to instruction times and holiday times, the energy consumption of a school building should match its load profile. With an average occupancy of 7 hours/day when school is in session, these buildings could reduce energy consumption and the correlating costs by 30% by curtailing usage between 6pm - 8am when the building is not being used at full capacity. By coordinating energy usage with occupancy levels both in regard to timing and specific area usage (classrooms, gym, library, etc.), students can be more comfortable with greater potential for concentration thanks to monitored and controlled air quality. Further, more efficient energy consumption can have a positive impact on publicly funded institutions and their tax obligations.
The proportionate energy consumption of school buildings depends on the building's age, size, geographical location, and type of equipment used. In school buildings, heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems and domestic hot water (DHW) account for approximately 80% of energy consumption.The RetroFIT+ solutions you need: how Belimo supports
With Belimo devices, you can improve energy efficiency and comfort, while improving indoor air quality:
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Around-the-clock energy for around-the-clock care
In hospitals, energy supply is required 24/7. Moreover, there needs to be a significant amount of flexibility for heating, cooling, and ventilation, as well as dynamic balancing capabilities to supply the appropriate amount of heating or cooling for each building area.
Different building types experience different degrees of energy usage according to the nature of their function. Air conditioning, heating and domestic hot water (DHW) account for approximately 73% of energy consumption in hospitals.The RetroFIT+ solutions you need: how Belimo supports
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities have a 24/7 role. The HVAC system's availability and reliability are key to promoting comfort and healthy indoor air regarding infection control and safety. With Belimo products, you can ensure the availability, thermal comfort, adequate ventilation, and energy efficiency while allowing more flexible space planning and easy troubleshooting:
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Heating and cooling that clocks out when your colleagues do
Given that office buildings are occupied only during business hours, their energy consumption should be optimised with respect to operating hours, in particular. With an average occupancy of 9.3 hours/day, these buildings are able to reduce energy consumption and the correlating costs by 30% by curtailing usage between 8pm and 6am when the building is not being used at full capacity. This means that no heating or cooling power needs to be provided for an empty building, thus reducing both energy costs and emissions. Dynamic balancing ensures comfort even when occupancies change.
In office buildings, air conditioning, heating, and domestic hot water account for approximately 56% of energy consumption.The RetroFIT+ solutions you need: how Belimo supports
The Average occupancy is 9.3 hours/day. By dynamically adjusting energy usage to suit the load profile and occupancy rates, you can save over 30% energy between 8pm and 6am when the building is experiencing low to no use. With Belimo devices, you can improve energy efficiency, comfort, and building health, while allowing more flexible space planning, making it easier to find tenants to rent office space:
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Comfort comes first
Like offices and schools, hotels are not occupied at full capacity throughout the entire day. However, they are generally at their highest occupancy in the later hours of the day and at night when guests sleep. Providing guests with a comfortable stay is a top priority. Ensuring good air quality, unobtrusive noise levels, and a hygienic environment are also essential in this context.
In hotels, air conditioning, heating, and warm water account for approximately 58% of energy consumption.
The RetroFIT+ solutions you need: how Belimo supports
30% energy saved by reducing consumption when the building is unoccupied.
The Average occupancy is 9.3 hours/day. By dynamically adjusting energy usage to suit the load profile and occupancy rates, you can save over 30% energy between 8pm and 6am when the building is experiencing low to no use. With Belimo devices, you can improve energy efficiency, comfort, and building health:
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System agility to suit multiple tenants
Shopping centres, sports venues, airports, and cultural centres – while the functions of these buildings are different, they share some things in common: fluctuating occupant traffic and a need to maintain high comfort and dynamic balancing to ensure high availability of cooling and heating energy. The existing system must be flexible, given that the requirements are subject to constant change in order to meet the demands of changes in space planning. Moreover, as these buildings often house multiple tenants, providing each space with certified energy billing within the individual cost centers must be considered.
The proportionate energy consumption of mixed-use buildings is very distinct. The energy consumption patterns depend on many factors, such as the building's purpose, age, size, geographical location, and type of equipment used. In mixed-use buildings, HVAC systems account for the largest proportion of energy consumption.The RetroFIT+ solutions you need: how Belimo supports
While mixed-use buildings such as shopping malls and sports venues have different purposes and functions, both building types share fluctuating occupancy levels and the high demand and availability of heating and cooling energy. With Belimo devices, you can balance the heating and cooling loads dynamically, thus optimising energy consumption and ventilation in line with occupancy.
Belimo RetroFIT+ App
The Belimo RetroFIT+ App offers you a quick and easy way to find the perfect replacement for your obsolete or defective actuators, valves, and sensors from Belimo and a number of other equipment sources.
Whether for ventilation or water applications, modernisation, or replacement of your system, our app will quickly lead you to the ideal Belimo product that best fulfils your requirements while at the same time offering maximum quality and performance.
The RetroFIT+ App makes it easy to create and plan Belimo retrofit projects.
How to find a replacement with Belimo RetroFIT+ App
FAQ
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Retrofit refers to the process of making improvements or upgrades to existing systems or structures. In the context of buildings, retrofitting typically involves upgrading or modifying HVAC systems, lighting, insulation, or other components to optimise energy efficiency, improve performance, and extend the lifespan of the building. HVAC retrofitting can involve replacing outdated equipment, installing new controls or sensors, improving insulation, and implementing other efficiency-enhancing measures to reduce energy consumption and improve indoor comfort.
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Retrofitting buildings is important because it allows for the upgrade and improvement of existing HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. This can result in higher energy efficiency, improved comfort, and reduced environmental impact. Retrofits can also help meet new regulatory requirements and improve the overall value of the building while contributing to a greener future.
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The "+" symbolizes the additional value that Belimo contributes to retrofit projects. Belimo offers many products ideally suited for renovation projects, including damper actuators, control valves, sensors and meters. If an adapter or linkage is required, our extensive range of retrofit accessories ensures a straightforward on-site installation process. If our standard offerings do not include the ideal replacement product, we also provide the option for customized products and linkages. However, our support and application consulting extends beyond just the product aspect. Belimo's sales managers and application specialists are dedicated to helping you determine the optimal approach for your renovation project.
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The cost of retrofitting an HVAC system can vary depending on various factors such as the size of the building, the complexity of the retrofit, the specific components being upgraded, and the local market conditions. It is important to assess each project individually to determine an accurate cost estimate. Belimo provides a range of HVAC system retrofit options. Whether you seek a minor enhancement, a major transformation, or anything in between, we possess the technology and expertise to assist you and can provide a cost estimate accordingly.
Belimo Energy Valve™ helps New York City property manager cut carbon emissions by 40%
In response to a regulatory mandate in New York City focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions for large buildings starting in 2024, a major property management company upgraded key buildings with the Belimo Energy Valve™, a pioneering, IoT-enabled device designed to optimise energy use and maintain Delta T in HVAC systems.
The upgrade dramatically cut energy use and costs – saving over $1 million in electricity in 2023 alone. The effort also earned Paramount $2.1 million in utility incentives, aligned the buildings with 2030 carbon reduction goals, and secured top sustainability certifications. This marks a significant stride towards the 2050 carbon neutrality target, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and efficiency.
Watch the video to find out more about the CO2 reductions and cost savings.
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Reference – Paramount Group, New York, USA
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Efficiency made easy: a Belimo Energy Valve™ story
Retrofitting of the historic Hotel Admiral Bergen (Norway) was already in full swing when Geir Hovden of DNB Commercial Real Estate learned about the Belimo Energy Valve™ through a particular episode of the Practical PropTech podcast. That episode examined closely how cutting-edge technology, such as the Belimo Energy Valve™, is transforming the way we manage building operations and saves energy. Although already midway through the project, it was immediately decided to pivot and equip the hotel's hydronic system with Energy Valves. Their decision yielded impressive results, including enhanced operational efficiency, significant cost savings, and a substantial contribution to their sustainability goals.
Watch the video to discover how our innovation makes installations easier and provides valuable insights for better, smarter building management.
See what our customers are saying
RetroFIT+ saves Providence College millions: No new chiller required.
Founded in 1917, Providence College comprises 40 campus buildings. With ongoing expansion planned, the chilled water supply was nearing its capacity. How to meet this increasing demand without installing a new chiller, and saving on cooling and pumping costs? Retrofitting East Campus buildings with the Belimo Energy Valve™ offered the ideal solution, and is helping the college meet its environmental goals.
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Reference – Providence College, USA
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2.51 MB)
Retrofitting buildings for energy-efficiency and sustainability
After a reassessment and recommision, Brookfield Place saves 8.9 million liters of water flow per day in the primary heating system alone.
HVAC hydronics – The goldmine in energy renovation projects
The smart control of heating, cooling, and ventilation loads has a big impact on building energy efficiency. A key aspect here is the heating and chilled water circuit, i.e. the hydronics of a building.
Generation
- No energy loss with zero load reduces operating costs.
- Planning reliability as a first step towards better energy efficiency.
Diverting
- Pressure fluctuations in distribution lead to lower power output.
- Making the energy flow visible.
Zone
- Demand-driven zone control.
Learn more how we can support you:
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Brochure – Energy efficiency and comfort in buildings
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4.48 MB)
More RetroFIT+ related documents
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RetroFIT+ Product Replacement Tool
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RetroFIT+ Replacement Products
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RetroFIT+ Guide
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6.23 MB)
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RetroFIT+ checklist – Water applications
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1.96 MB)
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Data collection for RetroFIT+ rotary valve adapters
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1.11 MB)
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Data collection for RetroFIT+ globe valve adapters
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950 KB)
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Sustainability – Belimo Statement
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Belimo Talk: Pressure Independent vs. Pressure Dependent