Let's face it, getting caught off guard is never a pleasant experience.
Think about your kitchen appliances. If your recently purchased oven needed to be repaired, it wouldn’t be good news, but it makes sense to fix it. After all, you just invested in the latest culinary technologies (plus, it’s probably under warranty).
Now, picture this same situation in a kitchen with appliances from the ‘80s or ‘90s. You know the ones... they look dated and are not the safest, most energy-efficient, or technologically advanced. The big question is, do you repair or start fresh with something new? A better question is, why wait for a breakdown to make your decision?
Just like you would eventually replace your kitchen appliances when they start showing signs of age (or so they don't let you down right before hosting a big holiday dinner), you can also proactively plan to modernize your existing elevator.
Elevator components have a lifecycle—making it essential to plan to update before your equipment reaches the end of its useable life.
Read on to discover the 3 top tips to help you start preparing for a future elevator modernization:
While an elevator’s useful life can span decades, individual components can become obsolete in the wake of technological advancements. This makes obsolescence a driving force behind the decision to repair or modernize.
But how do you know when, exactly, is the right time to modernize?
Elevator upgrades tackle the most pressing issues right away. By replacing or upgrading specific components, you can extend the life of your equipment while ensuring code compliance, smooth performance, and a ride quality for passengers. However, while the elevator's lifespan would have been extended, other components will still require updates down the line. This means the overall process may take longer, and passengers might get the impression that the elevator is constantly under repair.
If your elevator is more than 10 years old, your building usage has changed, you are receiving complaints from passengers, or you are competing with new buildings in your area, then your elevator could benefit from a modernization. Opting for a modernization means you'll enjoy the perks of a new elevator—increased building value, happier tenants and guests—while making the most of your building’s available space.There are clear benefits to both solutions, so it’s important to recognize the age and condition of your elevator to select the most efficient and safest option for your equipment.
Does your elevator meet the latest quality and environmental standards and applicable codes? Do you believe it’s operating as smoothly and as efficiently as when it was installed? Does it keep pace with what tenants are seeing at newer buildings in the area?
By understanding the overall goal for your equipment, you can make sure to include additional features and technology to get the most from your modernization. That way, you won't have to go through the hassle of retrofitting at a later date.
If your elevator is especially old, it’s important to consider the local codes and standards required for your system. For example, when you are modernizing elevator doors, including the latest light curtain technology will help your elevator detect smaller obstacles and meet the latest standards.Understanding the overall goal for the equipment will allow you to add the right elevator enhancements during your modernization rather than requiring a retrofit later.
Modernizing prepares your building for the latest digital technologies that help make managing your elevator easier than ever before. With IoT solutions like Schindler Ahead, your elevator can connect to a range of digital services to help you manage your elevator investment better and communicate more effectively with building tenants and guests.
Elevators are among the most trafficked areas in buildings, making it extremely important to maximize hygiene and safety for passengers. Schindler CleanMobility products are designed to minimize contact with elevator surfaces, with wave-activated fixtures and touchless pushbuttons. These enhancements can easily be added to your modernization to keep passengers moving safely and efficiently through your building.*
One of the best ways to maximize the impact of an elevator modernization is by integrating a destination dispatch system. This technology optimizes elevator performance to move people more efficiently through your building. With a destination dispatch system, such as Schindler PORT, passengers select their desired floor before they get into the elevator, and the system groups them by destination. This eliminates unnecessary stops, quickening the journey and prolonging the elevator lifecycle. These systems can bring other benefits, such as access control and energy efficiency, to increase the value of your building.
Most elevators are more than 30 years old, and a typical elevator lifecycle is 25 – 30 years. However, the number of trips per day, an increase or change in use, or moving heavy equipment are factors that can influence your equipment’s lifespan.
While repairs can help upgrade aging or obsolete components for the time being, at some point a modernization is necessary.
The first step is simple: Identify if the needs of your elevator have changed or if there’s a problem with your equipment. We are happy to meet with you to determine the current health of your equipment, lay out a plan for your elevator modernization—whether it needs to be done tomorrow or 5 years from now—and prepare a proposal that meets your specific needs.
A Schindler modernization doesn’t just help ensure enhanced functionality, safety, comfort, and compliance with changing regulations and codes. It also helps add value to buildings by improving the passenger experience with state-of-the-art technology.
Whether you choose a total modernization or a phased approach, Schindler has the experience and products to bring your elevators up to their best performance according to your timeline and budget.
*Schindler CleanMobility solutions are not intended to prevent any disease. These provide practical measures to maximize social distancing in a small space for a short duration and they are not intended as a substitute for applicable CDC guidelines and recommendations.