Commercial Rooftop Air Conditioner - Repair or Replace?

The majority of commercial spaces in the United states are serviced by commercial rooftop air conditioners. There are other systems available that use less energy to cool, so what makes them so popular? 

They have a small footprint and are a more lightweight design than other options. This impacts roof construction and structural support allowing for reduced construction costs. An added benefit is that the rooftop system provides basic heating, cooling and ventilation.

Do I Repair, Upgrade or Replace My Existing Rooftop System?

An older RTU operates at a lower efficiency level and is likely to experience breakdowns. Deciding between repairing, upgrading and replacing your system is a daunting question with a great many things to consider. 

Excessive Energy Use

There are many things that may affect the amount of energy your system will use.

• Improperly sized equipment.
• Lack of advanced energy saving features.
• Fails to meet current energy efficiency standards. 

Operational Issues

These tend to be mechanical issues that reduce the effectiveness of your system.

• Failure to perform regular maintenance.
• Waiting for a complete failure before fixing minor issues.
• Duct Leakage.
• Improper set points.
• Inability to adjust to building load changes.

Wasted Money

Nobody wants to spend money when it isn't necessary or provide a clear benefit.

• Ineffective maintenance, system continuously breaks down..
• High energy costs.
• Repairs that could have been prevented.
• Upgrading when replacement is a better option.
• Replacing when upgrading is the better option.

There are clear benefits to replacing old equipment with new. The new equipment offers increased energy efficiency, greater durability and more service friendly features. Sometimes the best solution may be something short of buying new. It is important to do whatever is right for your situation.

Evaluate Your Rooftop Air Conditioner

 Age

• How much longer will it last?
• Are parts hard to find?

Size

• Is the current system properly sized for your needs?

Condtion

• Frequent breakdowns?

Payback

• Where is your money better spent.
• Are there energy rebates available to help defray the cost?

Your Options

Repair

If your equipment is less than 10 years old and is in good working condition.

• Stick to preventative maintenance schedule.
• Replace broken parts.
• Keep tight control of budget.

Upgrade

Your system is sub-optimized, but in good condition consider adding advanced controls and technology to reduce operating costs and extend system life.

• Variable or multi-speed control.
• Integrated economizer control.
• Demand controlled ventilation.
• Modulating compressors.
• Fault detection and diagnostics.
• Remote monitoring capabilities.

Replace

When your system is in poor condition, wasting energy generally not doing the job.

• Planning ahead for replacement is generally less expensive than emergency replacements.
• Look for rebates and other incentives.
• Reduce the labor costs by replacing multiple units at one time.

If you are in need of any commercial HVAC services including installation, maintenance or repair give AEM Mechanical Services, Inc, a call at   320-587-0991.