Don’t Let a Rooftop Breakdown Disrupt Your Business—Here’s What to Know

Jun 23

With tourist season in full swing and foot traffic spiking in local retail and dining establishments, keeping your commercial space comfortable is more critical than ever. At Keystone, we’ve seen a marked increase in service calls for Rooftop Units (RTUs) as businesses push their systems to meet cooling demand. Whether it’s a routine check-up or an emergency repair, our team is ready to keep you cool from the top down.

What Is a Rooftop Unit?

A rooftop unit, or RTU, is a self-contained HVAC package system installed on the roof of a commercial building. These systems handle both heating and cooling, distributing conditioned air throughout the space via ductwork. RTUs are favored in commercial environments for their space-saving design and centralized accessibility.

Key Components of an RTU

Dampers: Control airflow into the unit and throughout the facility. These may be manual or modulating.
Filters: Trap dust and particulates before air enters the unit. Filter replacement frequency depends on usage and outdoor air quality.
Coils: Cooling and heating coils condition incoming air to the desired temperature.
Heat Exchangers: Improve efficiency by using outgoing exhaust air to pre-condition incoming outside air.
Fans (Air Blowers): Drive conditioned air through the building’s duct system.
Heat Pump/Compressor: Pumps refrigerant through the coils to cool or heat the air. Some units separate these functions into distinct components.

Your Rooftop Unit Maintenance Checklist

Because RTUs operate in exposed, hard-to-reach locations, routine maintenance is essential to avoid surprise breakdowns—especially during high-demand seasons. Here’s what our semi-annual service typically includes:

Full electrical inspection: volts/amps, contactors, controls
Refrigerant charge assessment and superheat adjustment
Belt and motor inspections for wear and tension
Damper linkage checks and actuator performance
Filter replacement and coil cleaning
Leak checks for refrigerant and oil
System efficiency and compressor performance testing

What to Keep on Hand

We also recommend keeping key replacement parts on hand to minimize downtime:

Flame sensors
Ignitors
Filters
Belts
Pressure switches

Why It Matters

RTUs can be “out of sight, out of mind,” but that makes regular checks even more important. Because they’re located on the roof, early warning signs like noise or odors may go unnoticed until there's a failure. That’s where Keystone comes in—we proactively inspect, maintain, and repair your rooftop units so you can focus on running your business.

Need RTU Maintenance or Service?

Call us at 757-344-4010 or schedule your next service visit today. Stay cool this summer with Keystone—Delivering Excellence Together.