Systems and methods are disclosed that operate a door latch of a door of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system electronically based on operating a locking engagement device. The locking engagement device may be disposed on an outer portion of a door, the latch may be part of a latching system disposed on an inner portion of the door, and the locking engagement device may transmit a signal indicating that the locking engagement device is in an open or closed position to the latching system via a conductor electronically coupling the locking engagement device and the latching system. In some embodiments, the locking engagement device may transmit a signal indicating that the locking engagement device is in an open or closed position to a controller, which may then instruct the latching system to open or close the latch based on receiving the signal.