Breaking down the Commercial Heating and Cooling Package Rooftop Unit (RTU)

Commercial heating and cooling systems are crucial for maintaining comfortable indoor environments in business and large facilities. One of the most common solutions for such settings is the commercial heating unit, often integrated into a rooftop HVAC unit. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the components and workings of the commercial rooftop HVAC unit, which often includes a commercial furnace for heating purposes. Understanding how these units’ function can help business owners, property managers, investors, and facility managers make informed decisions about their HVAC systems.

Key Components of a Rooftop HVAC unit

1. Heating: The heart of the commercial rooftop HVAC unit is the heating section, which provides heating to the building during the winter months. Typically powered by natural gas or sometimes electricity; the main components include burners, heat exchanger, and fans. The burners generate heat, which is transferred to the air passing over the heat exchanger. The fan distributes the warmed air throughout the building via ductwork.

2. Air Conditioning: Rooftop HVAC units are designed to offer both heating and cooling capabilities. The cooling section includes a compressor, evaporator coil and condenser coil. In the summer months, the compressor circulates refrigerant to remove heat from the building air. The conditioned air is then circulated by the fan throughout the building.

3. Air Handling Unit (AHU): The AHU is the critical components that manages the flow of air within the system. It contains the fans responsible for moving the air within the system, as well as filters to improve indoor air quality. In some cases, an AHU may also include humidity control components.

4. Ventilation System: Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining air quality and ensuring comfort for occupants. Commercial rooftop units often include fresh air dampers and economizers which help bring introduce fresh air into the building.

How it All Works Together.

A commercial rooftop HVAC unit operate combining these components to create a controlled indoor environment. Here is a quick break down of the process:

1. Heating Mode:

a. Thermostat calls for heating mode to begin,

b. Unit begins to start up heating sequence, checking all safeties are met; burner ignites, generating heat,

c. The blower fan circulates the indoor air over the heat exchanger,

d. Heated air is distributed through the ductwork.

2. Cooling Mode:

a. Thermostat calls for cooling,

b. Unit begins to start up cooling sequence, checking all safeties are met, compressor starts and circulates refrigerant through the major components,

c. Indoor air passes over the evaporator coil, which absorbs the heat,

d. The air is then distributed through the duct work,

3. Ventilation:

a. The ventilation system brings in fresh air from outdoor,

b. Stale indoor air is exhausted, ensuring constant flow of clean air.

Benefits of Rooftop HVAC Units

Commercial heating and cooling package rooftop units (RTU) offer several advantages:

1. Space Efficiency: Roof installations free up valuable interior space, which can be used for other purposes,

2. Easy Maintenance: RTU are easily accessible for routine maintenance and repairs, causing minimal inconvenience to occupants.

3. Energy Efficiency: Many modern units are designed to be energy-efficient, reducing operational costs.

4. Zoning Capabilities: They can be configured for milt-zone heating and cooling, allowing for precise climate control in different areas.

Commercial heating and cooling package rooftop units are integral part of large facilities and businesses, offering a versatile and efficient solution for climate control. Understand the components and how they work together can help business owners, property managers, investors and facility managers make informed decisions about their HVAC systems. Package rooftop units provide an all-in-one solution for maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.