Authority HVAC: A Modern Solution for Today's HVAC Challenges
This post is sponsored by Authority HVAC.
At Fexa, we were happy to welcome Authority HVAC as a key sponsor of Fexa Flex 2025, our recent retail summit in Chicago. Authority HVAC demonstrates the importance of helping facilities teams achieve operational excellence through data-driven solutions and reliable service delivery.
As a leading HVAC service provider specializing in multi-site operations, Authority HVAC brings essential expertise to one of facilities management’s most critical challenges: maintaining reliable climate control across distributed locations while controlling costs and preventing unexpected failures.
In addition to their sponsorship of FexaFlex, Authority HVAC also had a presence on the panels at the event. CEO Grant Baecker presented phenomenal insights on dealing with uncontrollable external pressures as part of our panel discussion with other industry leaders, “Thriving Through External Change.”
Authority HVAC: A unique approach in a demanding industry
Authority HVAC operates with a clear mission that sets them apart in the HVAC service landscape. Led by co-founder and CEO Grant Baecker, the company manages self-performed and subcontracted HVAC services across the United States for approximately 45 multi-site retail chains with a team of 120 industry professionals.
Baecker shared with us that he was attracted to the HVAC space because it’s such a necessary service for businesses of all kinds. Unfortunately, people who own commercial real estate usually aren’t equipped with the knowledge and understanding to deal with the complexity of HVAC systems.
They’re responsible for a huge, complicated, and heavily regulated equipment system, but their expertise is in a totally different area. Baecker and the team at Authority HVAC understand the critical nature and inherent complexity of HVAC operations, and that drives their approach to service delivery.
At Fexa, we love that Authority HVAC remains independently owned, which means they can prioritize service excellence over acquisition-driven growth strategies. This independence enables the company to focus on “building smarter customer solutions” rather than expanding through corporate acquisition models.
Addressing critical HVAC challenges through data and expertise
Authority HVAC tackles one of facilities management’s most persistent problems: the reactive approach to HVAC maintenance that leads to costly failures and operational disruptions. A reactive, rather than proactive, posture means that companies are constantly facing emergent crises, rather than preventing them.
Waiting for HVAC issues to arise before addressing them is an expensive and inefficient strategy, which is why the Authority HVAC combines several key elements:
- Self-Performance Capabilities: By maintaining in-house technicians across key markets, including California, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Florida, Authority HVAC ensures faster response times and consistent service quality
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The company leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and proactive maintenance to help businesses lower their HVAC expenses at the same time that they provide a more reliable and efficient system
- Process Accountability: Authority HVAC has invested in process loops, including weekly KPI reviews covering response times, quote turnaround, and resolution rates. This drives continuous improvement and accountability across all departments
Real-world impact of Authority HVAC: Transforming HVAC operations
The effectiveness of Authority HVAC’s approach becomes clear when you look at their client results. Baecker shared a story with Fexa about when Authority HVAC recently took over HVAC service for a customer who previously relied on fully outsourced facilities management. The organization suffered from limited price transparency and poor quality control.
By implementing their self-perform model with dedicated technicians, Authority HVAC helped the client simplify about 60–70% of their HVAC spend! And they did this while achieving much improved quality control over what was happening with their HVAC systems.
This transformation demonstrates Authority HVAC’s ability to address the hidden costs that plague many multi-site operations, including:
- Increased energy bills from outdated or inefficient equipment
- Frequent emergency repairs that disrupt operations
- Shortened equipment lifespan, requiring premature replacements
Meeting modern challenges with modern solutions
Authority HVAC addresses several critical trends affecting facilities management operations. At Authority HVAC, Baecker has noticed that customers are asking questions about how to avoid store closures, OSHA violations, and even viral TikToks about hot, sweltering sites.
These concerns illustrate the reality that HVAC reliability directly impacts multiple areas of any business, including:
- Customer experience
- Employee productivity
- Operational efficiency
Fexa and Authority HVAC recognize that if your HVAC system is struggling, it’s going to impact your bottom line.
Additionally, regulatory requirements continue to evolve, particularly around refrigerant management and environmental compliance. The AIM Act and other regulations create new reporting obligations while rising refrigerant costs due to regulatory phaseouts make leak prevention increasingly critical.
The future of HVAC: Integration and collaboration
Authority HVAC’s approach to client relationships demonstrates a philosophy of genuine partnership over transactional service delivery.
This collaborative mindset extends to how today’s facilities management leaders are approaching technology integration. Rather than forcing clients to adapt to rigid systems, facilities management software providers must prioritize flexibility and integration capabilities that work within existing operational frameworks.
The facilities management industry continues to face mounting pressure from regulatory requirements, cost constraints, and operational complexity. Authority HVAC’s focus on staying curious and asking the right questions reflects the forward-thinking approach that is necessary to navigate these challenges.
It’s exciting to see how specialized service providers and technology platforms can work together to deliver outcomes that neither could achieve independently. Authority HVAC’s commitment to service excellence and Fexa’s dedication to flexible, future-ready platforms create a foundation for sustainable operational improvement.
Authority HVAC: Delivering certainty in facilities management
We were happy to have Authority HVAC as a Fexa Flex sponsor. Their commitment to delivering certainty through data-driven HVAC solutions aligns perfectly with Fexa’s mission to provide facilities teams with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly complex operational environment.
Authority HVAC makes this promise: “We deliver certainty because downtime and guesswork aren’t options.” That promise captures the essence of why we were so excited to bring them on board as a FexaFlex sponsor. Our companies value replacing reactive approaches with proactive, data-informed strategies that prevent problems before they impact operations.
For facilities professionals managing multi-site HVAC operations, Authority HVAC’s services provide a comprehensive solution that addresses both immediate maintenance needs and long-term strategic planning requirements.
The most effective approach to modern facilities management doesn’t lie in choosing between service providers and technology platforms. Rather, it can be found in leveraging both providers and technology platforms in a way that benefits the entire operation!