We Can Help With Your Rooftop Air Conditioning Unit Needs!
Traditional air conditioning units take up landscaping space and aren’t attractive. To maintain curb appeal while keeping a building comfortable, many Portland-area professionals opt for commercial rooftop systems, which also have heating capabilities. The systems offered by AAA Heating and Cooling are pre-engineered, cost-effective, and adaptable for a variety of applications.
Common Problem Signs
5 common signs your rooftop air conditioner needs maintenance and repair. If you are experiencing any of these common problems, schedule an appointment today.
- Blowing warm air
- Unusual noises
- Reduced air flow
- Frequent system cycling
- Increased energy bills

How Commercial Rooftop HVAC Systems Work
Commercial rooftop HVAC, or package, systems are different from the typical split systems found in homes. While a split system has a cabinet indoors and one outdoors with different components, rooftop units have all the components in the same cabinet on the roof.
Rooftop units typically have a compressor toward the back of a cabinet with the condenser coils wrapped around it or nearby. Refrigerant arrives at the compressor, flows into the condenser coils, and gives off heat. The metal fins on the coil serve as a heat sync while the condenser fan blows exhaust away from the building.
As warm air travels through a building’s ductwork to the rooftop unit, fresh air also enters. Cooled refrigerant passes through the evaporator coil. As warm air passes over the evaporator coil, the refrigerant extracts the heat, cooling the air. A fan blows the cool air back into the building via ducts. The cycle continues until the building reaches the desired temperature.
Advantages of rooftop units include:
- Units stay cleaner
- Units are less likely to be damaged by individuals
- Less noise
- One system for heating and cooling
- Ease of installation
Disadvantages of the systems include:
- Systems aren’t as simple to access, inspect, or maintain
- Vulnerability to storm damage
- It might be simple to forget to do routine maintenance tasks because they’re out of sight
- Systems require adequate structural support and sufficient roof space
Common Rooftop Unit Issues We Address
AAA Heating & Cooling gladly repairs, services, and installs rooftop units. Our NATE-certified technicians are skilled at locating your issues and performing maintenance on your commercial rooftop system. Below are a few of the most common issues we find.
Improperly-Calibrated or Bad Sensors
Rooftop systems can have a variety of sensors that measure details like:
- CO2
- Occupancy
- Humidity
- Pressure
- Temperatures
When they don’t work correctly, performance is compromised and efficiency may decrease by up to 40 percent.
Incorrect Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant makes heat transfers possible. When levels are too high or low, it can:
- Compromise a unit’s performance
- Create uncomfortable indoor temperatures
- Cause abnormal system pressures
- Increase power bills by up to 11 percent.
Airflow problems
When air doesn’t flow through a rooftop unit correctly, you may notice poor airflow at the vents. Certain rooms may also seem warmer or more humid, and energy bills may increase by up to 11 percent.