August 14, 2025
Retrofitting Commercial Buildings: Upgrading to Modern Electrical Standards
5 Min. Read
Built in the 1930s, the Empire State Building isn’t the first thing people think of when considering energy-efficient buildings. But thanks to a 2011 retrofit, the American landmark uses 38% less energy.
This success story isn’t an isolated case. As property managers eye longer building lifecycles and look for ways to cut energy costs, retrofitting commercial buildings is more popular than ever.
Building retrofits are worth exploring for electrical contractors and building managers seeking to transform current structures into high-performance assets.
What Retrofitting Commercial Buildings Entails
In the Empire State Building retrofit, reflective barriers were added to reduce heat loss from radiators, and a dimming system for the building’s lights was implemented. As a large part of the project, over 6,000 windows were replaced with energy-efficient alternatives.
Each commercial building renovation and retrofitting undertaking is unique and should reflect a building’s current performance and energy-saving goals.
For instance, a project aiming to achieve LEED certification might focus on gradual steps toward full building electrification. On the other hand, a property management company that wants to cut costs would prioritize recovering heat and reducing energy loads independently of any building rating systems.
Relying real-world data from similar projects and best practices outlined by building certification standards can be very helpful when planning a retrofit. Scheduling a commercial building inspection and energy assessment can help set goals for the project.
Upgrades to the building envelope, natural lighting optimization, and water-saving technologies are major aspects of energy-efficient retrofits; however, electrical upgrades are often the backbone of a successful transformation.
Bringing Old Buildings Up to Current National Electrical Code (NEC) Standards
Aluminum wiring, old fuse boxes, ungrounded outlets, and outdated panels are common issues in older buildings. In addition to creating safety risks, these older electrical components aren’t optimized to reduce energy usage. They also lack the monitoring features modern buildings leverage to achieve electrification and automation.
When planning a commercial retrofit, bringing an old electrical infrastructure up to the 2023 version of the NEC should be a priority, along with any provisions in local building codes that target electrical standards.
Retrofits and HVAC Upgrades
“Ventilation, HVAC, and water heating can represent more than half of a commercial building’s total energy use,” explains Christopher Smith, VP, Development – Commercial Electrification at Qmerit. “It’s no wonder HVAC upgrades are a common area of focus for commercial retrofits.”
Older commercial building HVAC systems can usually benefit from an upgrade. For instance, replacing an old furnace with an energy-efficient heat pump can save thousands and cut the building’s energy use.
Even more minor upgrades, such as adjusting temperatures with smart thermostats, implementing demand-control ventilation, and automating HVAC with occupancy sensors, can significantly reduce energy bills.
The Case for Energy-Efficient Lighting
Adopting dimmable lights that automatically adjust to current levels of natural light was a way to take advantage of one of the Empire State Building’s defining features and ensure that occupants would get more light from the thousands of windows.
Dimmable lights aren’t the only way to save energy. Switching to LED lights is a popular retrofit that is cost-effective and yields instant results.
“Compared to incandescent lights, LEDs use 75% less energy and can last 25 times longer. Multiply that by the number of bulbs in an office building, and you’ll see why energy-efficient lighting is one of the best budget-friendly retrofitting projects,” Smith explains.
Energy Management Solutions and More
Electrical retrofitting can include deeper upgrades that unlock the full potential of buildings ready for electrification and automation.
A new generation of energy management solutions can monitor, control, and optimize energy resources. These advanced solutions turn energy management into a data-driven process that supports continuous improvements. Energy management should be an area of focus for buildings looking to obtain and maintain sustainability certifications.
Backup systems, such as Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, standby generators, or battery storage solutions, are another popular electrical upgrade. There is a growing trend to make commercial buildings more resilient as part of retrofitting projects, and these backup solutions are perfect for protecting mission-critical circuits and reducing downtime.
Renewables integration combines rooftop solar with sophisticated electrical infrastructure modifications for advanced electrical retrofits. Beyond significantly offsetting carbon footprints for existing buildings, these systems create mutually beneficial relationships between buildings and communities, allowing excess solar energy to flow back to the grid through net metering programs.
“Rooftop solar maximizes space in busy urban environments, creates revenues, and contributes to decarbonization goals. It’s also fairly quick to implement, with solar systems going from concept to full operation within a year or two,” adds Smith.
Plan Your Building Retrofitting Project With PowerForce by Qmerit™
Whether you’re considering extensive upgrades like renewables integration or something smaller with immediate ROI,like LED lighting, retrofitting requires planning and placing electrical work orders.
This can be challenging for a building owner or manager due to ongoing labor shortages and high demand for contractors. You might have some projects on hold because you can’t find the right electrical contractors.
PowerForce by Qmerit™ simplifies every stage of your electrical retrofitting projects. Our platform instantly connects you to a trusted network of vetted contractors, so you can complete your work orders quickly and work with professionals who have the right skills for your projects.
Simplify Your Commercial Electrical Projects with PowerForce by Qmerit™
Don’t let the complexity of managing electrical work across multiple locations or even a single site slow you down. With PowerForce by Qmerit™, you gain a trusted, single-source solution to streamline every aspect of your projects, from routine maintenance to large-scale installations.
Remove the stress of finding and vetting a new electrician for each project or managing multiple contractors across the country. Our easy-to-use platform puts the power back in your hands so you can easily navigate your projects to success.
Enjoy seamless coordination, expert oversight, and consistent quality across all your sites, ensuring your business operates efficiently and stays ahead in a rapidly evolving market.
Learn more about PowerForce by Qmerit™ and take charge today.
