Liberty Partners Taps Florida HVAC Firm in PE-Fueled Expansion

DALLAS, TX – April 24, 2026 – In a move that highlights a significant trend of private equity-driven consolidation within the home services industry, national provider Liberty Service Partners has announced a strategic partnership with Arctic Breeze Air Conditioning & Heating, a respected second-generation family business serving Northeast Florida for over two decades.

The Dallas-based Liberty, itself a portfolio company of New York private equity firm NorthCurrent Partners, is aggressively expanding its footprint in the lucrative Florida market. The addition of Palm Coast-based Arctic Breeze strengthens its platform, bringing a locally trusted brand that serves communities from St. Augustine to Daytona Beach into its national network. The deal, originated by Clew Partners, underscores a broader industry shift where local "mom-and-pop" operators are being integrated into larger, professionally managed, and well-capitalized platforms.

The Private Equity Playbook in Home Services

This partnership is a textbook example of a strategy increasingly deployed by private equity firms across the United States. The residential home services sector—encompassing HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work—is notoriously fragmented, composed of thousands of small, independent businesses. This fragmentation presents a ripe opportunity for consolidation, and investors have taken notice.

Private equity interest is fueled by the industry's inherent stability. Essential services like air conditioning repair in Florida are recession-resistant, providing a predictable and recurring revenue stream, particularly through service and maintenance contracts. Coupled with high cash flow and a robust demand driven by an aging housing stock and climate volatility, the sector has become a magnet for investment. Valuations are at historic highs, with average multiples for HVAC businesses reportedly increasing by 20% since before the pandemic.

Liberty Service Partners, born from a NorthCurrent investment in late 2020, exemplifies this "platform and add-on" model. The firm acquires a strong regional company like Arctic Breeze to serve as a hub, with the intention of adding smaller "tuck-in" acquisitions later to build geographic density and operational efficiency. This strategy is not unique to Florida; NorthCurrent and Liberty have been making similar moves across the Southeast and Northeast, creating a national network of specialized trade services.

"Getting to know Mark Jr. and Erin was the easy part — they love what they do, and you can feel it across the whole team," said Nick Rossino, Head of M&A at Liberty Service Partners, signaling the importance of cultural fit in their acquisition targets.

A Legacy of Local Trust Meets National Scale

For nearly 23 years, Arctic Breeze Air Conditioning & Heating has been a staple in Northeast Florida. Founded in 2002 and now led by the second generation of the Eidman family, the company built its reputation on quality workmanship and deep community ties. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a trove of positive online customer reviews praising their professionalism and reliability, Arctic Breeze represents the kind of valuable local brand that national consolidators seek.

The challenge and opportunity in such partnerships lie in balancing the preservation of this local legacy with the integration into a corporate structure. For Arctic Breeze's leadership, the move is framed as a catalyst for growth and stability.

"After servicing our communities' HVAC needs for nearly 23 years, Arctic Breeze is proud to partner with Liberty Service Partners," said owners Mark Eidman Jr. and Erin Snider in a joint statement. "This partnership will allow Arctic Breeze to invest in our employees' growth to better their families and serve our customers for many years to come."

This sentiment was echoed by Liberty's leadership, who emphasized the quality of the existing business. "The Eidmans have built Arctic Breeze the right way — by taking care of their people and doing good work," noted Jason Hiller, CEO of Liberty Service Partners. This focus on retaining talent is critical in an industry facing a significant and growing shortage of skilled technicians.

Impact on Florida Homeowners and the HVAC Workforce

For homeowners in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, and surrounding areas, the acquisition raises a key question: what does this mean for the service they receive? The new partnership promises to bring the best of both worlds. Customers can expect to see potential benefits from Liberty's scale, including access to newer technology for scheduling and communication, potentially broader service offerings, and the purchasing power that can keep equipment costs competitive.

However, the transition also involves navigating the potential pitfalls of corporatization. The personal touch and direct accountability of a family-run business can sometimes be diluted within a larger national framework. The success of the partnership will hinge on Liberty's ability to empower the local Arctic Breeze team and maintain the high standard of service that earned them their reputation, while implementing the operational efficiencies that make such acquisitions financially attractive.

Beyond the immediate customer impact, this deal speaks to the evolving nature of the trades themselves. The home services industry is grappling with a skilled labor deficit, with an estimated shortage of over 100,000 technicians nationwide. PE-backed platforms like Liberty are addressing this head-on, not just by acquiring companies for their existing workforce—a practice known as "acqui-hiring"—but by investing heavily in training, benefits, and defined career paths. By offering apprenticeships and internal "Trade Academies," these larger organizations can provide a level of professional development that smaller shops often cannot afford, making the trades a more attractive long-term career for a new generation. This strategic investment in human capital may be the most lasting legacy of private equity's reshaping of the American home services landscape.