When did someone with no financial stake last assess your HVAC equipment?
Most HVAC assessments are conducted by organizations with direct financial interest in repairs or replacements. Apex conducts assessments only.
See What an Independent Assessment FindsSite Information
Unit Scorecard
Capital Implication
RTU-06 requires immediate attention. RTU-03, RTU-05, RTU-08 budget within 12 months. Estimated exposure: $85,000–$140,000.
Portfolio Average: FAIR
2 units require immediate action · 4 units require attention within 12 months
Every firm that inspects your HVAC also profits from what it finds.
That is not a criticism. It is the structure of the industry.
“"Compressor is aging — recommend replacement."”
The same firm replaces the compressor and marks up the parts.
“"A new unit would be significantly more efficient than continued repairs."”
The same firm sells and installs the new unit.
“"RTU-02 · Score 3.00 · POOR · Safety Alert filed. Replacement evaluation warranted. Obtain minimum two contractor bids."”
Apex does not repair, sell parts, or hold any contractor relationship.
This is what independent HVAC intelligence looks like.
Westfield Commons, Building C — Naperville, IL · 3 rooftop units · 27 components · ASHRAE service life reference · Safety alerts filed independently of composite score.
“Most owners have never received independent information about the condition of their mechanical assets. This report changes that.”
Suspected cracked heat exchanger — Trane YCD060F3, 14 years in service
Evidence of combustion byproduct intrusion into the supply airstream. Flagged to site management at time of assessment. A replacement evaluation is warranted prior to the next heating season. Obtain minimum two contractor bids before authorizing capital expenditure.
Score
3.00
Poor
| Unit | Equipment | Age | Score | Condition | Risk Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTU-01 | Carrier 48XC060 | 9 yrs | 1.89 | FAIR | — |
| RTU-02 | Trane YCD060F3 | 14 yrs | 3.00 | POOR | Safety Alert |
| RTU-03 | Lennox KGA060S4 | 5 yrs | 1.00 | GOOD | — |
Executive Summary — RTU-02
APEX Building Intelligence Analysis
This unit is at end of serviceable life and presents an active safety concern. A replacement evaluation is warranted. Obtain at minimum two contractor bids before authorizing capital expenditure. ASHRAE median service life for this equipment class is 15 years; this unit is at 14 years with critical failure indicators present. Do not defer to the next budget cycle.
Scoring Scale
1.00–1.49 Good · 1.50–2.49 Fair · 2.50–3.00 Poor
9 major components determine composite score. Safety alerts filed independently.
Independence Statement
Independent assessment only. Apex does not perform repairs, sell parts, or hold any contractor relationship — that independence is the value.
Procedural rigor. Repeatable methodology. Defensible assessment.
27 Components
Each RTU evaluated across mechanical, electrical, structural, and age factors.
9 Scoring Categories
Major components scored independently before composite condition tier is assigned.
Good / Fair / Poor
Condition tiers map to operational life expectancy and capital planning horizons.
Assessment Process
- 1.Safety Alerts filed independently of composite score — a cracked heat exchanger stops the assessment, not the scorecard.
- 2.Executive Summary generated for each unit — no interpretation of data; stated facts and financial implications only.
- 3.Capital Planning Implications calculated — estimated replacement cost and timeline for each tier.
Buildings outlive owners, managers, and contractors. Knowledge should outlive all of them.
The Inspection Event
One day. One assessment team. A snapshot of current condition, failure indicators, and capital implications.
The Filed Record
A durable institutional asset. Dated. Numbered. Auditable. A reference that survives management changes, ownership transitions, and decades of operation.
The inspection is the activity. The filed assessment record is the asset.
Four decisions where independent information matters.
Acquisition Underwriting
“What is the true capital exposure hidden in the HVAC systems?”
Underwriters cannot model risk they cannot quantify. Condition data eliminates blind spots in deal modeling.
Reserve Planning
“What should reserves actually cover?”
Reserves based on age or historical averages fail during the critical five-year window. Condition tiers are defensible to lenders.
Portfolio Triage
“Which of my 30 buildings will require capital attention in the next three years?”
Comparable condition data across your entire portfolio identifies concentration risk and optimizes capital deployment.
Ownership Transition
“What mechanical knowledge walks out the door with the departing operator?”
An Apex record persists across management changes. The next operator starts with facts, not guesses.
Commission an assessment before your next capital decision.
Typical assessment engagements: