How Smart Planning Protects Budgets and Resident Comfort

Winter can expose more than just maintenance backlogs, it reveals whether portfolios are prepared for stress on their HVAC systems. For operators, preparation is about more than just servicing equipment before the first freeze; it’s about knowing what you have, how long it will last, and how new regulations will affect what comes next.

Start with a Clear Inventory

An accurate HVAC inventory sets the foundation for readiness. Tracking model numbers, install dates, and system efficiency helps property managers anticipate where failures are most likely to occur. Units that are over 12 years old, operating below 80% efficiency, or reliant on outdated refrigerants are prime candidates for proactive replacement.

Having this visibility allows operators to budget and schedule replacements on their terms before emergency calls stack up or equipment pricing surges.

Make Preventative Maintenance a Portfolio Standard

Preventative maintenance isn’t just a best practice, it’s a cost-control strategy. Seasonal tune-ups reduce energy waste, identify failing components early, and extend equipment life. Integrating this work into existing turn processes keeps operations predictable and residents comfortable without reactive disruptions mid-season.

Replacing aging systems during unit turns also ensures new equipment is properly sized, compliant, and installed under ideal conditions, not during a cold-weather crisis.

Prepare for EPA Refrigerant Phaseouts

The EPA’s Technology Transitions Rule is reshaping HVAC planning for 2025 and beyond.

• January 1, 2025: HVAC systems using R-410A can no longer be manufactured or imported.

• January 1, 2026: Installations must use refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) below 700, such as R-32 or R-454B.

• January 1, 2028: The sell-through period for R-410A systems ends, installing older models after this date is prohibited.

While systems using these next-generation refrigerants may cost more upfront, their energy efficiency can reduce long-term utility expenses and help portfolios meet sustainability goals.

Forward-thinking operators are already coordinating with vendors to confirm readiness for the transition and lock in compliant units ahead of supply constraints.

Future-Proof Through Partnership

With regulations tightening and winter workloads increasing, alignment across teams and vendors becomes essential. Through Lessen’s nationwide vendor network and centralized platform, operators gain complete visibility into their HVAC programs from inventory assessments to replacements and SLA performance.

And through Lessen Marketplace, property managers can access trusted manufacturer partnerships, including Goodman, ensuring timely, compliant installations at scale.

A Warm Reminder (Before It’s Too Late)

Every year, thousands of repair orders flood in once cold weather hits. Operators without proactive plans find themselves in reactive mode, paying premiums, delaying schedules, and risking resident comfort.

By contrast, proactive planners capture lower pricing, smoother scheduling, and stable resident environments.

Plan ahead and schedule your winterizations before the first cold snap. Reach out to Lessen to assess your portfolio’s HVAC risk, explore Goodman options through Lessen Marketplace, and lock in your pre-winter replacements.

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