HVAC Construction
Retrofit and Upgrade HVAC Systems That Outlived Their Design Life
Most commercial HVAC systems in Los Angeles are working harder than they were designed to. Equipment ages. Codes change. Building use evolves. Circulating Air delivers HVAC retrofits and system upgrades that bring your building’s mechanical infrastructure into alignment with how it’s actually used today — and what regulations require tomorrow.
Or call: (818) 764-0530
60 Years Serving Los Angeles
NATE, STAR, and TAB Certified Technicians
24/7 Emergency Dispatch
The Problem
The Cost of Running Yesterday's System in Today's Building
Aging HVAC equipment doesn’t just break down more often — it consumes more energy, struggles to maintain comfort, and falls behind evolving code requirements. Title 24 standards have changed significantly over the past decade, and buildings that were compliant at construction may no longer meet current performance benchmarks.
Meanwhile, building use shifts. A floor that was open-plan office is now high-density tech workspace. A retail space becomes a restaurant. Equipment sized for original loads can’t keep up with new demands. The result: comfort complaints, rising utility costs, and emergency repairs that cost more than a planned upgrade would have.
Rising energy costs from aging equipment
Comfort complaints repairs can't resolve
Code compliance gaps from changed standards
Emergency repairs costing more than upgrades
What We Do
HVAC Retrofit Solutions Engineered for Your Building
Whether it’s equipment replacement, controls modernization, or a multi-year phased upgrade program, we engineer retrofit solutions based on your building’s actual conditions — not just the original design specs.
Equipment Replacement and Rightsizing
Replacing aged rooftop units, chillers, boilers, and split systems with properly sized, high-efficiency equipment. We assess actual load conditions — not just the original design — to ensure new equipment matches current building use.
Controls and Building Automation Upgrades
Modernizing pneumatic or legacy DDC controls to current building automation platforms. Programmable scheduling, demand-based ventilation, and remote monitoring capability.
Distribution System Modifications
Ductwork reconfiguration, VAV conversions, and piping upgrades to improve airflow, reduce energy waste, and support changed floor plans or occupancy patterns.
Code Compliance and Title 24 Upgrades
Bringing mechanical systems into compliance with current California energy code, including economizer requirements, ventilation rates, and controls mandates.
Phased Retrofit Programs
Multi-year upgrade plans that spread capital expenditure across budget cycles while systematically modernizing building systems. Priority-sequenced based on ROI, equipment condition, and operational impact.
Why Circulating Air
Why Building Owners Trust Circulating Air for Retrofit Work
We’ve worked on buildings of every era, from 1950s mid-rises to 2020s Class A towers. We understand how LA’s building stock ages and what it takes to modernize it. Assessment-to-execution continuity means the team that audits your system is the team that retrofits it — no lost context between evaluation and construction.
60
Years in Commercial HVAC
150+
Employees
Certified
NATE, STAR & TAB Certified Technicians
24/7
Emergency Dispatch
1 Year
Warranty on New Installs
Proven
UCLA, LAUSD, Westfield & 100s more
Ready to Modernize Your Building's HVAC?
Free estimates. Honest assessments. No pressure.
How HVAC Retrofits Work
What to Expect
1
System Assessment and Baseline
2
Recommendations and Prioritization
Detailed upgrade options with cost, ROI projections, and phasing recommendations. We identify which upgrades deliver the most value first.
3
Engineering and Submittals
Equipment selection, engineering documentation, and permit applications. Submittals prepared and tracked through approval.
4
Phased Installation and Balancing
Work sequenced to minimize building disruption. Shutdown windows coordinated with property management. TAB-certified verification that every upgraded zone meets design performance.
5
Commissioning and Ongoing Support
System commissioning, performance documentation, and staff training. Transition to a service agreement for continued protection of your upgraded systems.
HVAC Retrofit — Common Questions
What building owners and facility managers ask when upgrading existing HVAC systems.
How do I know if my building needs an HVAC retrofit versus just repairs?
Key indicators include equipment age beyond 15–20 years, rising energy costs without explanation, frequent breakdowns, comfort complaints that repairs don’t resolve, or code compliance gaps identified during inspections. If you’re spending more on repairs each year than the annualized cost of replacement, the economics typically favor retrofit.
Can you retrofit HVAC systems while the building remains occupied?
Yes — this is how we handle the majority of our retrofit projects. We plan every phase around building operations, schedule shutdowns during low-occupancy periods, and provide temporary conditioning when needed. Our project managers coordinate with property management and tenants throughout.
What kind of energy savings can we expect from an HVAC retrofit?
Do you handle phased retrofits spread across multiple budget cycles?
Will an HVAC retrofit bring my building up to current Title 24 code?
What's the difference between a retrofit and a system replacement?
A system replacement swaps existing equipment for new, typically like-for-like or similar capacity. A retrofit is broader — it may include equipment replacement plus distribution modifications, controls upgrades, code compliance work, and system reconfiguration. Retrofits address the whole system, not just the equipment.
Related Services
Energy Audits
Comprehensive assessment of HVAC energy performance and efficiency opportunities — the data-driven foundation for retrofit planning.
Design-Build HVAC
Single-source design and installation when retrofit scope expands into full system redesign.
System Replacement
Equipment-focused replacement for commercial HVAC systems when a full retrofit isn’t needed.
Let's Build It Right
From design through commissioning — one team, one point of accountability.