Not all air conditioning systems are installed on the ground. Some of them are installed on roofs. Known as rooftop air conditioning systems, they are commonly used for commercial buildings. Business offices, retail stores, restaurants and other commercial buildings often feature a rooftop air conditioning system. For a better understanding of rooftop air conditioning systems and how they work, keep reading.
What Is a Rooftop AC System?
A rooftop air conditioning system is a complete indoor-cooling system. Like ground-installed air conditioning systems, they consist of an evaporator coil, a condenser coil, a compressor, a blower, ductwork and other cooling components. The only difference is that some of these components are installed on the roof.
All air conditioning systems require certain components to be installed outdoors. The condenser coil and compressor, for example, must be installed outdoor. In a rooftop air conditioning system, these components are installed on the roof – typically in the form of a single large box known as a condenser unit. In a ground-installed air conditioning system, on the other hand, these components are installed on the ground.
Advantages of a Rooftop AC System
A rooftop air conditioning system is often ideal for multistory commercial buildings. It can move the cool and conditioned air through a commercial building’s floors more easily than a ground-installed air conditioning system. When installed on the roof, the cool and conditioned air will naturally gravitate to the commercial building’s lower floors.
Another advantage of a rooftop air conditioning system is that it saves space. Commercial buildings often have a limited amount of space on the ground. If there’s not enough ground space for an air conditioning system, a rooftop air conditioning system may be used.
Disadvantages of a Rooftop AC System
There are disadvantages of rooftop air conditioning systems as well. While common with commercial buildings, they are somewhat rare with residential homes. This is because most residential homes have an angled roof. Air conditioning systems can’t be installed on an angled roof. Rather, they must be installed on a flat roof.
Maintenance is also more difficult with a rooftop air conditioning system than a ground-installed air conditioning system. With a ground-installed air conditioning system, heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technicians can easily access the condenser unit for servicing. Servicing the condenser unit of a rooftop air conditioning system, on the other hand, requires going to the roof