Today, we can find reviews for just about everything; restaurants, hotels, landlords, you name it. If your tenants were to rate the safety, condition and responsiveness of your elevator on WhoseYourLandlord.com today, what would your score be?
The Consumerist reported nearly 70 percent of people rely on online reviews before making a purchase. If your elevators are noisy, stuffy or have jerky stops and starts, they will do nothing to attract new clients. Additionally, slow elevators that are frequently out of order will do nothing to keep them. If this is the case, it may be time to consider a modernization.
In addition to increasing property value, a modernization can also save operating expenses spent on energy, improve traffic as well as renovate existing systems so they are safe and code compliant.
Are Your Cabs a Blast from the Past?
A few seconds spent in an oak-lined elevator cab could get your building a negative review. Cab upgrades can be included with mechanical modernization or handled by a company that solely offers new cab interiors. There are options that offer standard finish interior panels designed with interlocking joints and clips that can be installed relatively easily. You can also choose to use conventional methods or even customize your own look.
Give Your Tenants the Right Touch
Adding touchscreens can not only update your units' look and serve as an alternative to car operating panels. They can also be programmed to feature content such as weather and news updates or be used to promote products and services. Plus, the glass surfaces are easier to clean than mechanical push buttons and can help promote a more sterile environment.
Shorten the wait
Destination control software improves traffic flow and reduces wait times by grouping elevators by the floor the passengers intend to travel to in a building. This practice can increase handling capacity up to 30 percent
Shift Gears
Shifting from geared elevator machines to gearless improves ride quality and reliability, Gearless elevators also lower energy costs and power consumption. In most cases, the elevators' major components are replaced with new micro-processor controls that have advanced dispatching, plus an efficient AC drive system and compact. This type of full-scale modernization is a costly investment, so employ industry experts that can customize a plan that works best for you.
Replace the Pump
Hydraulic elevators have pump units. Normal wear-and-tear means seals can begin to leak or valves might not seal tightly over time, which causes the system pressure to decrease over time. Decreased pressure requires the unit to unnecessarily power-up in order to re-level, even in off-peak hours. Constant leveling throughout a unit’s downtime means unnecessary use of electricity for the building owner and more wear-and-tear on the seals and pump parts.
Small Solutions with Big Impact
If your budget won’t allow a full-scale modernization, don’t worry – you can make upgrades without incurring large expenses. Like in the rest of your building, lighting is a great place to improve aesthetics and shave off electricity consumption. Consider replacing your existing fluorescent tube lamps, incandescents or halogens with LEDs or other high-efficiency, low-heat lighting for a quick, but noticeable, difference. LED push buttons are also available. Incorporate a solid-state starter that supplies a motor with a smooth and steady current, eliminating the large influx of current typically created by older mechanical starters. It also uses less energy because the starters reduce spikes that utility companies may bill at higher rates.
Every modernization project is unique and our knowledgeable experts come prepared with tried-and-true approaches to solve whatever vertical transportation issues you face. Whether your elevators need a minor face lift or a total overhaul, don't let them be your tenants' reason for a bad review.