The primary difference is the rooftop unit is evidently on the roof , while a split system is on the side of your house. Additionally, a rooftop unit houses the entirety of the heating and cooling components in one spot. Split systems include your average AC and heat pump that you can find in most houses. The split or AC system consists of both outdoor and indoor units with different components.

This is a modern solution that keeps away thieves, vandals, and, of course, weather elements such as rain, ice, snow, and lightning! In addition to the added security, it also saves you space, reduces noise, and is a high energy performer.

• Increased Maintenance- A rooftop unit is directly exposed to the outside elements at a much higher extent then HVAC equipment on the ground or hidden away inside.  This requires more frequent maintenance, especially in an area with direct sunlight and intense heat.
• Accessibility- This will dictate how easy it is for you to maintain and manage your HVAC unit.  It is important not to forget about it up there!
• You May Need Permission- There are rules and regulations when it comes to urbanism and landscaping and, sometimes, town or city councils don’t allow you to modify the way your building looks even if you are the owner. Therefore, find out if you have permission to install a rooftop unit first.
• You Need A Building Expert- As you might have already guessed, rooftop units are very heavy and have a huge number of components. They could cause damage to your roof if installation is done in a poor location. Therefore, one thing you need to do before the rooftop HVAC installation is to call in a building expert who can assess if your house or office building are structurally sound enough to take the weight. They will also assess how strong your roof is for the same purposes. If they determine everything is in good order, you can proceed.

It uses outside air to keep your building cool. This makes the compressor runs less, therefore, reducing air conditioning costs.

Booking a maintenance session four times every year will help you prolong the life of your packaged unit or spot problems that might, in time, turn into bigger issues. An HVAC technician will inspect the system, add more refrigerant if he thinks it’s necessary and change the air filters. He might also discover that your packaged unit has been damaged either by the weather elements, by lightning or by vandals.

Ask yourself:

• Is the system very old?
  • More than 10 years means that you need to go for a unit replacement. A new one will be far more efficient, saving you up to 40% when it comes to energy.
• What is the condition of the unit now?
  • A good working, efficient unit only needs occasional repairs. But if the repairs are very often, go for a unit replacement. 
  • How much are you spending in repair costs
  • what warranties do you have?
• Are you experiencing
  • interruptions in the business
  •  dissatisfaction with workplace comfort
  •  safety issues
  •  high utility costs 

Consider: The 50% rule – you’re debating between repairing and replacing. Go for a repair if it costs you less than half of its value and if the repairs are not too often.  If you are thinking about replacement look into the tax deductions and rebates available for your business. Give your technician a call. He will tell you how efficient your unit is and determine what needs to be done.