Controls
Commercial HVAC Controls & Building Automation in Southeast Michigan
Your HVAC equipment is only as effective as the controls running it. Friedman Mechanical installs, programs, services, and upgrades commercial HVAC controls and building automation systems for facilities across Southeast Michigan.
If your heating and cooling system is running but your energy bills feel high, occupants are still complaining about comfort, or temperatures seem inconsistent from floor to floor, the problem usually is not the equipment itself. It is the controls telling that equipment what to do.
Think of controls like the brain of your building's HVAC system. When that brain is miscalibrated, running on an outdated schedule, or working off a faulty sensor reading, your system runs harder and longer than it needs to. That gap, between what your system thinks it should be doing and what it actually needs to do, is where energy gets wasted and comfort suffers. In some buildings, that gap adds up to 20 to 30 percent more energy spend than necessary.
Friedman Mechanical's technicians work with all types of control systems, from older setups that have been in place for decades to modern digital platforms that connect your entire building. We identify what is off, fix it, and verify that everything is calibrated correctly before we leave.
The result is a building that runs the way it is supposed to: comfortable for the people in it, and not burning through energy when it does not need to.
Your Building Is Probably Paying for Energy It Is Not Using
Controls & Building Automation
Building Automation System (BAS) Integration
Full BAS integration for commercial HVAC systems including scheduling, setpoint management, zone control, alarm monitoring, and remote access. We work across most major BAS platforms and can integrate new or replacement equipment with existing infrastructure. For facilities without a BAS, we assess whether adding one is justified by the energy savings and operational visibility it provides.
Thermostat & Zone Sensor Installation
Commercial thermostat installation and zone sensor placement for single-zone and multi-zone HVAC systems. Proper sensor placement is frequently overlooked and is one of the most common causes of inaccurate zone temperature readings and comfort complaints. We locate sensors correctly and verify calibration after installation.
Economizer Controls
Economizer systems installed, serviced, and calibrated to take advantage of free cooling from outdoor air when conditions allow. A malfunctioning economizer is one of the most common sources of excessive cooling energy consumption in commercial buildings. We test economizer operation as part of every controls and maintenance visit.
Digital Controls Installation & Programming
Commercial digital control systems installed and programmed for HVAC applications including rooftop units, air handlers, VAV systems, boilers, chillers, and fan coil units. Control sequences are written and commissioned to match your facility's actual occupancy patterns and operational requirements, not generic defaults.
Controls Diagnostics & Repair
HVAC performance issues that appear mechanical are often controls problems. Friedman Mechanical technicians diagnose the full controls chain before assuming equipment failure. A failed sensor, a drifted setpoint, or a communication fault between controller and equipment can cause symptoms that look like mechanical failure and result in unnecessary parts replacement. We find the actual cause.
Remote Monitoring & Reporting
Controls configuration that provides facility managers and property owners with remote visibility into system performance, alarm conditions, and energy consumption. Useful for multi-building portfolios and facilities where on-site management resources are limited.
Pneumatic Controls Service & Conversion
Many commercial buildings in Southeast Michigan still operate on pneumatic control systems installed decades ago. Friedman Mechanical services and repairs pneumatic controls, and also evaluates and executes conversions to digital systems where the efficiency and reliability improvements justify the investment. We understand both technologies and make the recommendation based on your building's specific situation.
Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV)
CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation systems installed and commissioned for commercial facilities looking to reduce ventilation energy costs while maintaining indoor air quality compliance. Particularly valuable for spaces with variable occupancy such as conference rooms, classrooms, and retail environments.
Controls Upgrades for Existing Equipment
Older HVAC equipment with outdated controls can often be upgraded with modern digital controllers that improve efficiency and reliability without requiring full equipment replacement. Friedman Mechanical evaluates controls upgrade opportunities as part of every service visit and maintenance agreement.
Common Applications
- Office Buildings & Multi-Tenant Properties
- Medical & Dental Facilities
- Manufacturing & Industrial Spaces
- Retail Centers
- Educational Facilities
- Data Centers & Server Rooms
- Buildings With Legacy Pneumatic Systems
- Multi-Site Portfolios Requiring Remote Monitoring
- Facilities With Energy Compliance Requirements
Service Area
Friedman Mechanical provides commercial cooling services throughout Southeast Michigan, including:
- Farmington Hills
- Detroit
- Ann Arbor
- Troy
- Southfield
- Pontiac
- Dearborn
- Livonia
- Royal Oak
- Auburn Hills
- Sterling Heights
And surrounding Southeast Michigan communities.
Equipment We Service
Friedman Mechanical technicians are factory-trained and experienced across all major commercial HVAC equipment manufacturers.
Don't see your brand listed? Call us. If it runs, we can service it.
Commercial HVAC
Need Controls Work, a BAS Upgrade, or a Diagnostics Call?
Licensed commercial HVAC contractor serving Southeast Michigan. From pneumatic conversions to full building automation, we handle the full controls scope.
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BAS Integration
Scheduling, setpoint management, zone control, alarm monitoring, and remote access across major platforms
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Digital Controls & Programming
Installation, programming, and commissioning for RTUs, air handlers, VAV systems, boilers, chillers, and fan coil units
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Diagnostics, Repairs & Upgrades
Full controls chain diagnostics, pneumatic service and conversion, economizer calibration, and controls upgrades for existing equipment
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A building automation system is a centralized platform that monitors and controls HVAC equipment, lighting, and other building systems from a single interface. Whether a BAS is justified depends on your facility size, energy spend, and how much operational visibility you currently have. Friedman Mechanical can assess your situation and give you a straightforward answer on whether the investment makes sense for your building.
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Pneumatic controls use compressed air to operate dampers and valves and were standard in commercial buildings prior to the 1990s. Digital controls use electronic signals and microprocessors to perform the same functions with greater precision, easier programming, and remote monitoring capability. Many older Michigan commercial buildings still operate on pneumatic systems. Friedman Mechanical services both and evaluates conversion opportunities based on the specific cost-benefit for your facility.
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In most cases, yes. Modern commercial HVAC equipment supports standard communication protocols such as BACnet and Modbus that allow integration with most major BAS platforms. Friedman Mechanical handles controls integration as a standard part of every equipment installation.
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The most common indicators are energy consumption that has increased without a change in occupancy or usage, equipment running during unoccupied hours, and spaces that consistently fail to reach setpoint. Friedman Mechanical includes controls diagnostics in every service call and can perform a dedicated controls audit if energy performance is a concern.
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Yes. We install and commission CO2-based DCV systems and can advise on Michigan mechanical code and ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation requirements as they relate to your facility type and occupancy classification.