Rooftop HVAC units on commercial building rooftops are more common than one may realize, even if they are rarely seen or heard.
Over 60% of the floor space in commercial buildings in the United States are provided by rooftop HVAC units.
So, what are the benefits of having a HVAC unit on your commercial building’s rooftop? Here are five to consider.
Related: 3 Signs Your Rooftop HVAC Unit Needs Maintenance
1. Sound Elimination
The greatest comfort that you or any of your clients or tenants should experience with rooftop HVAC units is to never hear it in operation.
HVAC units, even when situated on a rooftop, make noise. HVAC units contain numerous interconnected mechanical parts that noisily function as they begin and power down from operation.
Some HVAC units go through multiple power cycles where they turn on and off numerous times every day. The price of having a large commercial -sized HVAC unit is that its noisy function will annoy and disturb anyone nearby who can hear it.
The noisy operational nature of HVAC units are significantly reduced or eliminated once they are situated on a rooftop. Since most commercial rooftops are flat, any noise generated from the HVAC is dispersed.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the typical HVAC unit is no louder than 45 decibels (dB).
For added context, 70 dB is the noise threshold before significant hearing loss may occur. If you stood 200 feet away from a jet engine, then you would be exposed to over 130 dB of noise.
2. Cleanliness
Rooftop HVAC units should be serviced regularly and cleaned as needed. However, a rooftop HVAC unit will stay relatively much cleaner than once situated at street level.
A rooftop HVAC unit will be subject to less ground level pollution, dirt, and debris.
3. Pleasant Aesthetics
An HVAC unit is understandably an essential part of a commercial building’s operational infrastructure. HVAC units are essential, they make living indoors comfortable, cool in the summers and warm in the winters.
However, HVAC units are aesthetically pleasant machines to look at. Placing them on a rooftop helps a commercial building to retain as much of its natural architectural aesthetics as possible.
Placing a HVAC unit on a rooftop also makes servicing and repair relatively easier to accomplish. A HVAC repair contractor may have to open up the unit to expose and messily remove components.
This would be aesthetically unpleasant to see on ground level during business hours. Additionally, an HVAC contractor would be isolated, undistracted, and able to work more efficiently on the roof.
4. Condensation Drains Via Gutters
One iconic image of urban living is air conditioning units in windows dripping condensation downward from window sill to window sill until it collects into unsightly puddles on the street.
Condensation dripping down the sides of a commercial building and collecting into puddles on the sidewalk is not aesthetically pleasing or safe, depending on the circumstances.
When you place a HVAC on the roof, any condensation that is generated would drain away via gutters.
5. Efficient Utilization of Land and Space
Free space and land is a finite commodity in a commercial building and especially in urban settings. It is why commercial buildings are built upwards instead of outward.
When you place a HVAC unit on your commercial building’s rooftop, you have more space on the ground level for extra construction expansion, landscaping, parking, and so on.
Do you need help maintaining a rooftop HVAC unit on your commercial building? Contact Standard Plumbing and Heating today.
Related: Condensation or Leaks? 3 Causes for a Puddle in Your Building