5 tell-tale signs to upgrade your ride

How old is your elevator? The next time you’re taking a ride, see if you can spot a data plate indicating when the equipment was installed, or a sticker revealing when it was last serviced. Every elevator needs regular maintenance, upgrades, and eventually, full modernization. We modernize our own KONE elevators and can do the same for other brands’ equipment, too!

When an elevator is about ten years old, it is common for some individual components to need replacement, like for instance door mechanisms, signaling devices, and lighting. As the years rack up, it might need new lifting equipment, electrification, and doors – and at some stage, it will be time for a new elevator car. But it is not just about the age of the equipment, what matters most is finding the optimal time to modernize and future-proof your ride. Acting sooner rather than later ensures that the lifetime cost of the elevator will be lower, and you will not end up with surprising and costly repairs.

Your elevator might be too old when it is showing its age or condition. Strange noises, sluggish speed, jamming doors, and inaccurate leveling when stopping are all signs an elevator could need some attention from the experts. Worse yet are frequent breakdowns, hard-to-find spare parts, and escalating repair costs. In high-traffic buildings such as hospitals, shopping centers, and office buildings, elevator reliability becomes critical.

Intelligent predictive maintenance solutions like KONE 24/7 Connect are designed to take note of these signs and repair needs, flagging them before they become an issue. With the help of remote monitoring services, potential problems can be identified and preventative maintenance actions recommended – before anyone needs to put up the “out of order” sign.

Elevator renovation may become timely when the users, the purpose of the building, or local safety regulations have evolved. Major renovation or repurposing might also bring in a new user group, such as commercial tenants or visitors, which could in turn increase the demands on the elevator when it comes to things like design or ride comfort. In residential buildings, an aging tenant population may require enhanced accessibility features, allowing them to enjoy living in their homes for longer.

Newer elevators have been designed to be safer for people with diverse mobility needs. Larger cabins, wider doors, and level stops are better for people using wheelchairs and mobility aids. Additionally, improved lighting, voice commands, and intuitive interfaces create a more inclusive experience for everyone.

Noncompliance with modern safety standards is another sign an elevator update is in order. You can check for an inspection certificate or sticker inside the elevator, indicating compliance with local safety codes like ASME A17.1 (in the U.S.) or EN 81 (in Europe). You can also request inspection reports or maintenance logs from the building management to confirm compliance.

If your accountant wants to talk about the building’s electricity bill, it might be time to consider an elevator upgrade. Compared to older models, new elevators use considerably less electricity and are responsible for fewer carbon emissions. Fully replacing your old elevator with a new one is a game changer. For example, the KONE MonoSpace®500 is estimated to be 74% more energy efficient than its 1990s counterpart.

Newer hardware uses less energy, while software and intelligent solutions can add a whole new level of efficiency. In one recent case in Tallinn, Estonia, KONE and partners used data from elevators to improve energy consumption in the entire building, reducing energy use and emissions by up to 36 percent.

We are living in the 21st century and our needs are evolving. Property owners and managers aim to keep their tenants happy, and ensuring the best living experience is a good way to achieve this. Modern elevators offer a better people flow experience, which can even be personalized with displays, music and lighting, making the elevator journey – and by extension, the passengers’ time in the building – more positive and enjoyable.

Modern smart solutions, like mobility and destination control systems, can also improve people flow and reduce bottlenecks in high-rise buildings and offices. KONE’s innovative application programming interface (API) portal even allows partners to develop and connect new services to the elevators, for example robot butlers or navigation apps.

As cities and their connectivity evolve, entirely upgrading an old elevator – or partially modernizing it with flexible modular and sustainable upgrade packages, retaining some of the original materials – is a smart move to meet the rising expectations of the people living in the building. This way you can also ensure the technology aligns with today’s standards for safety, efficiency, and inclusivity.

And if your building does not have an elevator yet, a convenient way to enhance the residents’ quality of life is to install a prefabricated elevator with minimal disruption – giving a new lease of life for the entire building.

If it’s time to upgrade or modernize your elevator – now or in the near future – don’t hesitate to reach out to our local offices. Our experts are here to help make the process simple and stress-free. Let’s find the best solution for your building together.