For decades, commercial and industrial buildings have chosen rooftop HVAC systems. The flat roofs of these buildings allow for easy maintenance and installation. The higher prices discourage homeowners and they opt to have central air systems.

If you have central air conditioning, there’s a good chance it is on a concrete pad outside your house. Although the location is ideal for installation and maintenance, there are many problems. Because they are on the ground, the units can become debris magnets. The units’ easy accessibility may encourage thieves or vandals. Children and animals playing near them can also cause accidental damage. Due to their dependence on central air furnace systems, repairs and maintenance can be difficult and costly.

Because of their location, rooftop systems are safe. Rooftop units are difficult to access, easy to detect, and less likely to have debris accumulate and block the mechanism.

Rooftop A/C systems can bypass the furnace to circulate the air through their ducts. Therefore, repairs and maintenance are restricted to the unit. An HVAC system that is placed above the area it serves can run at reduced fan speeds and consume less power due to cold air falling.

There are some things you need to consider before moving your Con-form HVAC Platforms to the rooftop. Determine the best size for your system. Make sure your roof is still protecting you from the weather after installation.

1. Find Out The System Capacity

Before you decide to buy a new HVAC system, it is important to know what size it should be. Systems that are too small or too large, are less efficient and won’t condition your home in the way you want. Properly sized units will however create a pleasant indoor environment and help to reduce your energy bill.

For a rough estimate of your home’s heating needs, multiply your total floor area by the base heating factor of 25 British thermal Units (BTUs). Although this calculation will provide a guideline, it doesn’t take into account other factors, such as climate, number of occupants, home insulation and orientation of windows.

2. Your Roof Can Support The System?

Once you know the system’s maximum capacity, you can calculate its weight and dimensions. Once you have this information, you can start planning how to install it. Your first concern should be “Is the roof strong enough to support the additional weight?”

You shouldn’t trust an HVAC contractor with this task. Instead, get a licensed structural engineering to conduct a structural analysis on your roof. An engineer will evaluate your roof’s structure and calculate the load. They’ll also consider the roof’s age, and material composition, and determine if there are any issues before installing your roof. It may be necessary to strengthen, repair or replace your roof, depending on the design and condition of your roof.

After verifying that your roof is capable of supporting the HVAC system, it’s time to decide where to mount it. A good location will provide enough clearance to allow for safety and ease of maintenance.

3. Ensure Envelope Integrity

Rooftop HVAC units will require penetrations through the roofing membrane. These should be limited to ductwork and reinforcement only, and not for the whole unit. To improve the unit’s isolation, it is essential to keep penetrations to a minimum. You may also need isolators under the team to reduce vibrations from entering the building.

The roofing contractor will need to ensure that the roof can withstand severe weather conditions after it is installed. This will require adequate flashing to cover all openings during installation.

After flashing the penetrations, your HVAC contractor can test and walk you through how to operate the unit.