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Commercial HVAC

Building Automation and Controls Financing

A building automation system, often shortened to BAS, is the brain that tells boilers, chillers, air handlers, and rooftop units when to run and how hard. Many buildings still rely on outdated controllers with no replacement parts and a single technician who knows how they work. Others have no central controls at all, just a hallway full of thermostats set wherever the last person left them.

Upgrading controls is one of the fastest ways to cut energy waste and tenant complaints. Financing makes it easier to take on a full controls overhaul, and because software and hardware keep evolving, the right structure can leave room to upgrade later.

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Programs that fitFMV LeaseEFAEquipment Loan

Building Automation and Controls We Help You Finance

  • 01

    Building Automation Systems

    A BAS connects controllers, a network, and a central interface so facility staff can schedule equipment, trend data, and respond to alarms from a laptop or phone. Office towers, schools, hospitals, and campuses depend on them. When buying, favor open protocols such as BACnet, which lets different brands talk to each other, so you're not locked into one vendor forever. Ask about cybersecurity, remote access, user licenses, and who will own the programming. Used controllers are rarely worth the risk, since firmware support and parts availability matter.

  • 02

    Smart Thermostats

    Commercial smart thermostats bring scheduling, remote access, and occupancy awareness to buildings without a full BAS, like retail chains, restaurants, churches, and small offices. A multisite owner can manage every location from one dashboard and stop paying to cool empty stores overnight. Look for models that support your equipment type, including multistage heat pumps and economizers, and check whether they need a gateway or a cloud subscription. Lockable settings keep employees from overriding the schedule. These are relatively low cost, so pair them with other upgrades to reach a financing minimum.

  • 03

    Sensors

    Sensors are the eyes of a control system: temperature, humidity, CO2, occupancy, pressure, and power meters. Demand controlled ventilation uses CO2 sensors to bring in fresh air only when people are present, which can cut heating and cooling loads in gyms, auditoriums, and classrooms. Wireless sensors reduce installation labor in finished spaces, while wired sensors avoid battery changes. When planning, think about calibration, where each sensor sits, and how the data feeds your BAS or analytics platform.

  • 04

    Energy Management Software

    Energy management software pulls data from meters and controls, spots waste, and flags equipment faults before they turn into breakdowns. Property managers use it to compare buildings in a portfolio, and facility teams use fault detection to prioritize work orders. Buyers should compare subscription costs, integration with existing systems, reporting for energy benchmarking rules, and how much analyst support comes with the platform. Depending on the lender, software licenses and setup fees can be part of the financed project.

Why Finance Building Automation Instead of Paying Cash

Controls projects often pay for themselves through lower energy bills, but only after the work is done. Financing lets those savings start working right away while your cash stays in reserve.

It also keeps credit lines available for equipment failures that controls can't prevent. And since technology moves quickly, financing can make it easier to upgrade again when the next generation arrives. Some equipment may qualify for Section 179 deductions; check with your tax professional.

What Your Financing Can Include

Depending on the lender, controls financing may cover:

  • Controllers, panels, network switches, and wiring
  • Programming, graphics, and integration with existing equipment
  • Software licenses, cloud subscriptions, and setup fees
  • Sensors, meters, dampers, and valve actuators
  • Staff training and commissioning
  • Removal of obsolete controls and pneumatic systems

Programs That Work Well for Building Automation

  • Program

    Fair Market Value (FMV) Lease

    Lower payments, then upgrade, keep leasing, buy at fair market value, or return it, a natural fit for technology that ages quickly.

  • Program

    Equipment Loan

    A loan that usually carries the strongest incentives for paying off early, though the details depend on the lender, helpful when energy savings or incentives come in faster than expected.

New Business or Established, We Can Help

Building out a new facility or franchise location and want controls in place from the start? Equipment financing is available from day one for startups. Established owners and controls contractors can finance upgrades across a single building or a portfolio. See our full commercial HVAC financing page, and consider pairing controls with chiller financing during a plant upgrade.

What You'll Need

Requests under $150K, which covers many smart thermostat rollouts and single building upgrades, can often be approved on the application alone. Portfolio projects may call for financial statements. Funding can often finalize with just a driver's license and the equipment invoice or contractor quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have a question?

Talk to a real person. We're happy to walk you through your options.

Can I finance software and programming, not just hardware?

Often, yes. Many lenders include programming, integration, software licenses, and setup fees when they're part of a controls contractor's quote. Share the full proposal and we'll find lenders that cover soft costs.

Can I finance smart thermostats for multiple locations?

Yes. Multisite owners often combine thermostats, sensors, and installation across several stores into one request. Bundling also helps you reach our $10K minimum.

What's the difference between a BAS and a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat controls one piece of equipment or zone, usually through a cloud app. A BAS ties together many systems, like boilers, chillers, and air handlers, for central scheduling and alarms. Larger buildings usually need a BAS.

Is an FMV lease a good idea for controls?

It can be. Controls technology changes quickly, and an FMV lease gives you the option to upgrade, keep leasing, buy, or return the equipment at the end. We'll compare it with ownership options so you can decide.

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