Axiom Cloud, a US software company specialising in refrigeration and energy management, has launched software that identifies inefficient operation of rooftop heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) units and can remotely correct some issues.
The HVAC Optimisation module integrates with equipment controllers and building management systems (BMS) to monitor and control services such as heating and cooling. It requires no additional hardware.
The software monitors rooftop units across a property portfolio, flags equipment that isn’t performing as expected, and calculates the financial impact of each issue. Rooftop units are packaged heating and cooling systems commonly installed on commercial building roofs.
Existing controls can solve problems remotely, eliminating the need to send a technician to the roof.
Software finds HVAC problems that may escape notice
A rooftop unit may continue running at full capacity even when a building is empty, without triggering an alarm. At sites with several units, one may be heating while another cools the same area.
Axiom Cloud said such problems can persist for months or years without detection.
The company said rooftop units are a major source of avoidable energy waste, while HVAC is one of the largest energy consumers in commercial buildings. It highlighted retail grocery and convenience operations, where businesses may have fleets of rooftop units.
Axiom previously worked on HVAC demand response
This is not Axiom’s first foray into HVAC. In 2022, the company introduced its first HVAC feature, adding demand response to its refrigeration-focused platform. At the time, it was available at facilities where refrigeration and HVAC shared the same controller.
Demand response involves temporarily reducing electricity use during periods of high demand on the power grid. Axiom said its customers were already using refrigeration loads for demand response, and adding HVAC would let them reduce electricity use further.
The new module addresses a different issue: inefficient rooftop-unit operation. When feasible, the software can also implement adjustments using existing controls.
By 2025, Axiom had deployed its Energy Efficiency module across more than 100 stores operated by a speciality grocery retailer. According to a company case study, the software connected to existing refrigeration controllers without requiring new hardware. It identified ways to rebalance loads between HVAC and rooftop units used for dehumidification and refrigeration.
HVAC software tested at 17 facilities
Axiom Cloud tested the HVAC Optimisation module across 17 facilities and 40 rooftop units before general availability.
CEO and co-founder Amrit Robbins said the company had achieved operational improvements and cost savings for existing customers over the previous year.
Axiom also said its platform had logged more than 3,400 “system-years” of HVAC operating data across its sites and customers before the launch.
Image: Courtesy of Axiom Cloud
