The Benefits of Installing a Rooftop HVAC Unit

Why would it be a good idea to consider installing a commercial rooftop HVAC unit instead of a conventional HVAC system? The HVAC maintenance contractors at R.A. Biel Plumbing and Heating discuss the answer to this question in detail and outline the advantages of a rooftop HVAC unit below. 

A Rooftop Unit Saves Space

For one thing, a rooftop unit makes the most of the underutilized space on your building’s rooftop. Whereas a conventional HVAC system is split into indoor and outdoor components, all of the components of a rooftop unit, as the name suggests, are centralized in a single location. This space-saving advantage alone makes rooftop HVAC units highly attractive to owners of commercial buildings with valuable real estate. 

Since all of the components of a rooftop HVAC unit are in one location, it’s easier for HVAC technicians to conduct HVAC maintenance. Not to mention, rooftop units have fewer maintenance needs overall than ground-level HVAC units, due to being less exposed to dirt and debris. In addition, since all of the maintenance work is done on the roof, disruptions to your tenants’ business operations will be kept to a minimum. 

Placing all of the HVAC components on the rooftop far away from other equipment also minimizes noises that can be disruptive to tenants. 

Security-wise, placing your HVAC unit on the roof has its advantages. For one thing, you’re keeping the unit safe from vandals. Only a few people have access to a building’s rooftop, after all. Plus, there’s a lower risk of HVAC units getting damaged by debris if they’re located on the roof. 

HVAC repair contractors would argue, however, that the biggest advantage of a rooftop HVAC unit is its energy efficiency, as heating and cooling costs comprise a large portion of the budget for keeping a commercial building running. 

Rooftop units use economizers, which in certain conditions are able to use outdoor air to cool the building. 

Here’s a quick overview of the common types of economizers: 

To find out which economizer is best suited to your building, consult an HVAC repair  contractor. 

The modular structure of rooftop HVAC units is another reason why installing them makes more financial sense than a conventional unit, especially for building owners that are planning to expand their property. The capabilities of modular HVAC units can be expanded through incremental upgrades. For instance, if a certain portion of your building needs more cooling, you can set up modules on specific areas of your roof to lower the temperature in units on that side of the building. 

To keep your HVAC system running smoothly, make sure to have a contractor conduct routine maintenance work. Commercial HVAC systems should be inspected at least once a year, or ideally before the start of the cooling and heating seasons in the summer and winter. Maintenance tasks include changing the air filters and air duct cleaning. 

Keep in mind that HVAC units are complex machines that need a high level of expertise to maintain and troubleshoot. As such, you should only hire experienced contractors to maintain your HVAC system. 

R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, a company with over three decades of experience, offers a wide range of professional HVAC services, including HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning. To get a free estimate on new HVAC installations, call us at (505) 327-7755 or leave us a message here. 

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