High-impact BMS energy optimization achieved 42% reduction in chiller consumption, 20% lower electricity use, and 127,400 kWh saved in just five months with only $10k initial investment
Projected NABERS Energy Improvement Within One Year
Reduction in Chiller Consumption
Reduction in YTD Electricity Consumption
Energy Saved Over 5 Months
Project Highlights
- Modest $10k initial BMS optimization investment yielded 127,000 kWh electricity savings and rapid payback period
- Installed advanced building management system with integrated HVAC control and predictive maintenance capabilities
- Upgraded to energy-efficient LED lighting with smart occupancy sensor controls throughout building
- Replaced aging chiller equipment with high-efficiency Turbocor compressor technology
- Improved tenant comfort and satisfaction levels, boosting commercial lease renewals and tenant retention
255 Pitt Street’s Tech Stack
Reliable Controls BACnet Controllers
Reliable Controls is a Canadian manufacturer of simple, flexible, and sustainable building automation hardware and software. Known for exceptional product longevity, long life cycles, and backwards compatibility that keeps building systems serviceable for decades.
- Designs and manufactures reliable BMS controllers with strong focus on long-term support and sustainability
- Offers open-protocol BACnet and Modbus solutions that integrate seamlessly across diverse building systems
- Differentiates with exceptional product longevity, minimal obsolescence, and reputation for reliable building automation
Tridium Niagara N4 Framework
Tridium’s open framework Niagara N4 platform is designed as a comprehensive systems integration solution with native protocol support for BACnet, LonWorks, Modbus, and numerous manufacturer-specific building automation protocols.
- Truly open platform for BMS developers and system integrators
- Modern cybersecurity standards for commercial building networks
- Highly customizable building automation workflows and energy management dashboards
Project Snapshot
| Project Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Client | ISPT (Industry Super Property Trust) |
| Project Address | 255 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW |
| Project Timeline | Started January 2025, ongoing hardware and energy optimization improvements underway |
| Services Provided | Staged BMS upgrade to BACnet-based system, LED lighting replacement, HVAC integration with VAV controls and predictive maintenance algorithms, chiller installation, and continuous monitoring with strategy refinements |
| Partners | ISPT, CopperTree Analytics energy management platform |
Building Background & Energy Efficiency Challenges
255 Pitt Street is a premium commercial office building located in Sydney’s central business district, integrated with the Hilton Hotel building. The property features a Reliable Controls building management system (BMS), one of several open-protocol platforms fully supported by Oztech’s experienced team of building automation specialists.
The building is owned by ISPT (Industry Super Property Trust), who had been actively seeking energy efficiency solutions to improve the building’s NABERS rating and reduce ongoing operational energy costs. ISPT management had been evaluating multiple building performance improvement opportunities, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system upgrades, increased sub-metering for better energy visibility, and comprehensive building management system upgrades.
Identifying BMS Audit as Key to Improved Building Energy Efficiency
With extensive background in building automation systems, the client’s newly appointed engineering manager identified what others had overlooked. He recognized that BMS controls optimization represented a high ROI activity that could achieve quick energy wins before committing to costly mechanical equipment upgrades.
The client worked with an independent consultant to run a competitive tender for comprehensive BMS audit services, sub-metering installation works, and takeover of the existing building automation service contract. Oztech provided a detailed proposal and was awarded the project based on our competitive fair pricing, proven ability to support Reliable Controls hardware, and demonstrated capacity to deliver on aggressive project timelines while maintaining building operations.
The Oztech Difference
Upon starting the BMS optimization project, Oztech’s senior BMS engineer identified a comprehensive range of opportunities to optimize automated building systems and improve energy performance. Key optimization activities included:
Tuning Supply Air Pressure Resets
We implemented dynamic pressure setpoints based on real-time VAV damper positions, allowing HVAC fans to appropriately modulate and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
Replacing Faulty Pressure Sensors
Oztech made quick sensor repairs which restored accurate real-time data that the building management system needed to run optimally and make informed control decisions.
Reprogramming Economy Cycle Controls
By optimizing the use of outside air for free cooling, the building significantly reduced the operational hours of energy-intensive chillers and cooling towers.
Translating BMS Optimization Results to Building Energy Outcomes
As a direct result of the comprehensive BMS optimizations that Oztech implemented, 255 Pitt Street has achieved a remarkable 20% reduction in overall energy consumption between January and May 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The building’s chiller systems in particular experienced a dramatic 42% energy reduction in year-on-year performance comparisons.
Excellent building performance optimization not only reduces energy consumption and utility bills, but also significantly increases the operational lifespan of expensive mechanical equipment. Inefficient buildings often push HVAC equipment beyond optimal operating ranges, causing accelerated component wear and premature failures that increase capital expenditure requirements.
What Made This BMS Audit a Success?
The key differentiator in this successful BMS audit was the client’s proactive approach and technical understanding. The engineering manager’s background in building management systems helped them identify that the building had significant room for performance improvement through optimizing control strategies. By proactively seeking out a comprehensive BMS audit and focusing on high ROI energy efficiency solutions, they enabled Oztech to move quickly and implement upgrades that ultimately resulted in superior energy performance and measurable cost savings.
The project also featured successful collaboration with energy analytics platforms like CopperTree Analytics. This partnership accelerated data analysis capabilities and helped identify additional opportunities for energy savings through advanced building performance monitoring.
Future Building Optimization Plans
Since completing the initial BMS tuning and optimization works, Oztech has been awarded multiple follow-on building upgrade projects. These include installation of NABERS sub-metering systems, thermal energy valves and flow meters, chiller replacement with high-efficiency equipment, and variable speed drive (VSD) installations on HVAC equipment to further improve building energy efficiency and operational performance.
