Modernizing Aging School Infrastructure with Retrofits and BMS Systems
How GDI Ainsworth improved comfort, air quality, and energy visibility across K–12 schools in the Greater Toronto Area.
Project Details
Location
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
Number of Buildings
500+ schools across multiple school boards
System Implemented
Building Management Systems (BMS), HVAC retrofits, CO₂ monitoring, Delta Controls PAS security integration, and energy dashboards via enteliWEB
Project Goal
Improve indoor comfort, air quality, energy efficiency, and safety across K–12 learning environments without disrupting school operations
Project Duration
Design completed prior to summer break; installations executed during July–August school closures
Impact at a Glance
Completed BMS retrofits and system integrations across 500+ schools
Upgraded aging systems, including some 20-year-old infrastructure, without disrupting students or faculty
Improved classroom comfort and air quality through enhanced HVAC control and CO₂ monitoring
Increased energy awareness and performance visibility through real-time dashboards
Enhanced school safety through integrated security and lockdown management systems
Challenge
School boards across the Greater Toronto Area required widespread BMS upgrades and system retrofits across hundreds of active schools. All work needed to be completed within a narrow summer window to avoid disrupting learning, while also addressing aging infrastructure, integrating multiple systems, and improving comfort, energy performance, and safety across diverse facilities.
Methodology
Completed detailed design work prior to school closures to enable immediate execution
Leveraged summer shutdown periods to complete large volumes of work efficiently
Standardized retrofit and integration approaches across multiple school boards
Solution
Installed and retrofitted BMS systems across hundreds of K–12 schools
Integrated HVAC controls to improve temperature stability and indoor air quality
Implemented CO₂ monitoring to support student focus and cognitive performance
Upgraded and integrated legacy systems, including infrastructure over 20 years old
Deployed enteliWEB energy dashboards to monitor performance and promote energy awareness
Installed Delta Controls PAS systems to support security and lockdown management
Executed all installations during summer months to avoid disruption to school operations
The Ripple Effect
Healthier, more comfortable learning environments that support student focus and productivity
Improved visibility into energy use for school boards, staff, and students
Enhanced safety through integrated security and alarm system coordination
Scalable, standardized infrastructure capable of supporting future upgrades across districts
