Commercial Rooftop Systems
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.
How Rooftop Systems Work
Rooftop, or package, systems are different from the typical split systems found in homes. A split system has a cabinet indoors and one outdoors with different components. In rooftop units, all the components are in the same cabinet, which is located 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 Problems with Commercial Rooftop Systems
AAA Heating and Cooling gladly installs, services and repairs rooftop units. Our specialists often encounter issues such as:
- Improperly-calibrated or bad sensors: Rooftop systems can have a variety of sensors that measure details like CO2, occupancy, humidity, pressure or temperatures. When they don’t work correctly, and performance is compromised. 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 or cause abnormal system pressures. Power bills can also increase 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.
Types of Rooftop Systems for Portland-Metro Businesses
HVAC pros can configure a rooftop unit as an air conditioner or as a heat pump that heats and cools. Installing a humidistat on a unit allows a user to control ventilation and humidity levels. Several accessories are available for rooftop units.
Rooftop Systems from AAA Heating and Cooling
AAA Heating and Cooling offers a selection of reliable commercial rooftop systems designed to save energy and reduce your cost of ownership. For peace of mind, many of the components in these systems are backed by warranties. Whether you need your system repaired or seek a new heating and cooling solution for your commercial building, our HVAC experts are ready to be of service. Make your appointment today.