Legacy System Specialists

Trane Controls Stuck on Tracer Summit?

Trane equipment is legendary. Trane controls... less so. If you're running Tracer Summit, Tracker, or legacy Comm5 systems, you know the pain. We can help.

Talk to a Trane Specialist

The Trane Controls Dilemma

Trane makes excellent HVAC equipment. Their chillers, air handlers, and rooftop units are workhorses that last for decades. But the controls that came with them? That's often a different story.

Many buildings have Trane equipment managed by legacy Tracer systems that are now obsolete, proprietary, and difficult to integrate with the rest of the building.

The Proprietary Problem

  • • Comm3/4/5 protocols are Trane-only
  • • Integration with BACnet systems is limited
  • • Requires Trane tools and expertise

The Software Problem

  • • Tracer Summit servers aging out
  • • Running on old Windows versions
  • • Limited modern features (mobile, analytics)

The Vendor Lock-in Problem

  • • Trane pushes Tracer SC+ or full replacement
  • • Limited options presented to building owners
  • • Service agreements can be expensive

We Know Trane Controls

From Tracker to Tracer Summit to current SC+ — we understand the full Trane controls ecosystem.

Supervisory Systems

  • Tracer Summit — Legacy enterprise BMS
  • Tracker — Older supervisory platform
  • Tracer SC/SC+ — Current platform
  • Tracer ES — Equipment scheduler

Controllers

  • BCU — Building Control Unit
  • UC400/UC600 — Unit controllers
  • ZN — Zone controllers
  • VAV controllers — Terminal units

Protocols

  • Comm3 — Legacy serial protocol
  • Comm4 — Enhanced serial
  • Comm5 — Current serial/IP protocol
  • BACnet — Newer controllers

Equipment Integration

  • Chillers — CVHF, CGAM, RTAA, etc.
  • Air Handlers — Climate Changer, etc.
  • Rooftops — Voyager, IntelliPak
  • Heat Pumps — WSHP, etc.

The Real Issue: Controls ≠ Equipment

Here's the thing: your Trane equipment is probably fine. Trane chillers run for 25-30 years. The issue is the controls and integration layer.

You don't need to replace your equipment to get modern controls. You need someone who can:

  • Integrate existing Trane equipment with modern BMS
  • Replace proprietary controllers with BACnet
  • Migrate from Tracer Summit to open platforms
  • Preserve equipment-level controls while modernizing BMS

Comm5 Integration

Trane's Comm5 protocol is the bridge between legacy and modern. If your equipment speaks Comm5, we can integrate it:

  • → Niagara Comm5 driver — Direct integration
  • → BACnet gateway — Expose Comm5 as BACnet
  • → Hybrid approach — Modern BMS + Trane equipment
  • → Controller upgrade — Replace BCU with BACnet

Your chiller doesn't care what supervisory system talks to it. We can make any platform work.

Upgrade Paths

You have options beyond what Trane presents. Here's what we typically recommend.

OPTION 1

Tracer SC+ Upgrade

Best for: All-Trane buildings, Trane service contracts

  • • Upgrade to current Trane platform
  • • Maintain Trane integration
  • • Modern interface and features
  • • Trane support available

Pros: Native Trane integration

Cons: Vendor lock-in, cost

RECOMMENDED
OPTION 2

Niagara + Comm5

Best for: Mixed buildings, vendor independence

  • • Niagara supervisor with Comm5 driver
  • • Keep existing Trane controllers
  • • Integrate non-Trane equipment
  • • Open platform flexibility

Pros: Flexibility, integration

Cons: Comm5 complexity

OPTION 3

BACnet Migration

Best for: Complete modernization

  • • Replace BCU/ZN with BACnet controllers
  • • Native integration with any BMS
  • • Preserve equipment (chillers, AHUs)
  • • Full platform independence

Pros: Standards-based, future-proof

Cons: Higher initial cost

Trane Equipment Considerations

Chillers

Trane chillers (CVHF, CGAM, RTAA, etc.) typically have their own onboard controls. These can often be integrated directly via BACnet or Modbus on newer units, or via Comm5 on older ones.

We can integrate your chiller with any BMS — you don't need Tracer.

Air Handlers

Trane Climate Changer AHUs often have UCM (Unit Control Module) controllers. These speak Comm5 but can be replaced with BACnet controllers if needed.

Keep the AHU, upgrade the controller — best of both worlds.

Rooftop Units

Voyager and IntelliPak units have integrated controls. Newer units support BACnet directly; older ones may need gateway solutions.

RTU integration is usually straightforward — we do this regularly.

VAV/Zone Controllers

Trane ZN controllers are the trickiest part. They're deeply integrated with the Comm network. Options include Comm5 integration or controller replacement.

We assess each building to determine the best approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my Trane equipment and change the BMS?

Absolutely. Your Trane chillers, AHUs, and other equipment can work with any BMS that can integrate via Comm5, BACnet, or Modbus. You're not locked into Tracer.

Is Comm5 difficult to integrate?

It requires specialized knowledge, but it's doable. Niagara has Comm5 drivers, and there are gateway solutions available. We have experience with Comm5 integration.

What about my Trane service agreement?

Changing your BMS doesn't affect equipment service. You can still have Trane service your chillers and AHUs while running a different controls platform. Equipment maintenance and controls are separate.

How much does a Tracer Summit migration cost?

It depends on building size, number of controllers, and target platform. Niagara overlay with Comm5 integration is often 30-50% less than full Tracer SC+ replacement. We provide detailed proposals.

Can you support us remotely?

Yes. Most programming and troubleshooting can be done remotely. We use secure, DoD-trusted access infrastructure. We travel for hands-on work as needed.

Ready to Modernize Your Trane Controls?

Keep your excellent Trane equipment running with modern controls. Let's discuss your options.

Schedule a Consultation