Rooftop unit service and repair in Kalamazoo

Packaged rooftop units, often called RTUs, put the whole heating and cooling system in one cabinet on the roof: compressor, condenser coil, evaporator coil, blower, gas heat section and controls. That design saves floor space inside, but it also means the equipment lives exposed to Southwest Michigan weather all year, with snow drifting against the cabinet and summer sun baking the panels.

Our technicians service and repair rooftop units from 3 to 25 tons on retail buildings, offices, restaurants, medical suites, churches and small manufacturing shops. We handle the whole unit, from the gas heat section and the economizer dampers to belts, bearings, coils and refrigerant circuits, and we leave notes on what we found so you know where each unit stands.

Signs you need rooftop unit service

What a rooftop unit service visit covers

Each service visit starts with the basics that keep air moving: filters changed, the blower belt checked for wear and tension, pulleys checked for alignment and bearings checked for play. From there the technician cleans or rinses the condenser coil, checks the evaporator coil and drain pan, and clears the condensate trap. These simple items prevent a large share of summer service calls on rooftop equipment.

The technician then tests the cooling circuit by reading suction and discharge pressures, superheat and subcooling, and comparing them to the manufacturer's charts. On the heating side, we check the inducer, igniter, flame sensor, gas pressure and the heat exchanger tubes for cracks or rust. Electrical connections are tightened and contactors and capacitors are tested under load before we close the panels.

• Filters, belts, pulleys and blower bearings
• Condenser and evaporator coil cleaning
• Condensate drain, trap and pan inspection
• Refrigerant pressures, superheat and subcooling
• Gas heat section, flue and heat exchanger check

Economizers and fresh air dampers

Many rooftop units have an economizer, a set of dampers that brings in outside air to cool the space on mild days and minimum ventilation the rest of the time. When the actuator fails or the linkage seizes, the dampers can stick wide open or closed. Wide open in January means frozen coils and cold complaints. Wide open in August means a compressor that runs nonstop and still cannot keep up.

We test the actuator, the outdoor air sensor and the controller, and we watch the dampers move through their full range. Seized linkages get cleaned and lubricated, bad actuators get replaced, and minimum outdoor air settings are checked against what the space needs. For restaurants and offices with a lot of occupants, a working economizer has a noticeable effect on comfort and on the cooling bill.

Roof conditions in Southwest Michigan

Lake-effect snow is hard on rooftop equipment. Drifts pile against the condenser and intake hoods, ice forms around the flue cap and meltwater can find its way under loose panels. After a heavy storm, a heating section that suddenly stops can be as simple as a vent cap packed with snow. Shore towns like St. Joseph and South Haven also see damp lake air that speeds up corrosion on coils and cabinets.

Summer brings cottonwood seeds, leaves and dust that mat over condenser coils, cutting airflow and pushing head pressure up. We look at the roof curb and the seal around the unit, the condition of the gas line and its supports, and the electrical disconnect. If something on the roof is not ours to fix, like the membrane itself, we point it out so you can call the right trade.

Repair or replace an aging rooftop unit

Rooftop units commonly last somewhere around 15 to 20 years, depending on how they were maintained and how hard they ran. Toward the end of that range, failures tend to stack up: a compressor goes, then a heat exchanger cracks, then the cabinet rusts through at the base rail. We give you the repair price and an honest read on the rest of the unit so the choice is clear.

When replacement makes sense, a new unit can often sit on the existing curb with an adapter, which keeps the roof work limited and shortens the time your space is without heating or cooling. Our light commercial installation team handles crane lifts, curb adapters and startup. If the unit still has years left, a scheduled maintenance agreement helps keep it there with service visits every spring and fall.

How a rooftop unit service visit works

1. Call with the site detailsCall (269) 360-5258 and tell us how many rooftop units you have, which ones are acting up and how the roof is reached.
2. Roof access and safetyWe confirm the hatch or ladder location, who has the key, and any tenant areas we should avoid while on site.
3. Unit inspectionThe technician reads fault codes, measures pressures and electrical values, and inspects belts, coils, dampers and the heat section.
4. Findings and approvalYou get a list of what was serviced, what needs repair now and what can wait, with a price for each repair.
5. Repairs and final checkApproved repairs are made, the unit runs through heating and cooling cycles, and the space is confirmed to be recovering.