Heating, ventilation and air conditioning – a building’s HVAC unit is responsible for maintaining the essential environment for an indefinite stretch of time.

To keep your unit and property running through the extremes of the seasons, you have to begin with a strategy.

Have a Plan

A modern HVAC unit will continue performing for 20 years, but only if it’s maintained on a regular basis. While maintenance should be a scheduled priority, especially considering the replacement cost, it can be overlooked or even neglected for a “quick savings.”

As a landlord, putting required HVAC service in the terms of the lease is your best defense against avoidable damages and an early replacement.

In addition to a schedule of required services, make sure your contracts require that they be performed by a licensed HVAC technician. You can only trust an experienced professional to keep an eye on the long-term condition of your unit.

Verify Services

As a general rule, there are routine services that should be performed quarterly and others that should occur twice per year. Every three months, the belts, filters and lubrication should be checked and serviced. And two times a year, right before winter and summer, you should have the coils cleaned. 

A licensed technician is required because, while an air filter might be a simple replacement, these intervals of service double as a window for an overall inspection should there be additional problems.

Neglecting these routine services will cause your HVAC unit to be overworked, typically in the middle of one of its busiest seasons. If an HVAC unit breaks down, it’s going to be a $7,500 – $15,000 replacement and sure to scar a tenant relationship, by the inconvenience at the very least.

When it comes to maintaining the HVAC unit you have, you’ll want to take every step available to keep the air flowing without having to pay for an expensive replacement.

Adapt

Each property may have different environmental needs, requiring separate HVAC systems.

Office buildings are fairly generic and therefore can be handled entirely by the landlord. But retail spaces and warehouses tend to be much more individualized. If a tenant has a specialty need, like food preparation for example, they’re going to need a dedicated HVAC unit to themselves.

Because each case may require a unique arrangement, landlords and management should be open to creative solutions. Treating each case as its own will help to find a cost reducing answer.

Working with utility companies is a valuable way to modernize your units by collaborating on changes for better heating/cooling efficiency. “Going green” can save you and your tenants money too (though it isn’t where the phrase originated).

Contact Professionals

Whether it’s an entire replacement or just the scheduled service, you should only trust a licensed and recommended HVAC technician. Choosing your management firm should have the same importance.

Trout Management has 30+ years in the Mid-Atlantic market keeping HVAC units running while saving landlords money.

Contact us today to keep your energy savings up and your costs down. 

Speak to an Expert