Roof Package Units

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Comprehensive Roof Package Units Solutions

The Roof Package Unit (RTU) is the workhorse of commercial facilities. These 'all-in-one' systems contain the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and fan in a single cabinet. Because they are exposed to the intense Southern California sun and coastal salt air, these units require a specific level of mechanical expertise to maintain the delicate balance of refrigerant levels and airflow needed to keep your restaurant dining room at the perfect 72°F.

The High Stakes of a Hot Dining Room

Customer Defection

A dining room that is even 5°F too warm will lead to shorter stays, lower alcohol sales, and 'too hot' mentions in online reviews.

Staff Exhaustion

Kitchen temperatures can soar to dangerous levels without proper HVAC support, leading to decreased productivity and higher staff turnover.

Extreme Energy Bills

A poorly maintained unit 'short-cycles' or runs constantly to keep up, causing your energy bill to skyrocket.

Emergency Replacement Costs

RTUs are significant investments. Ignoring a small refrigerant leak today can lead to a total compressor burnout tomorrow.

⚠️ The Cost of Inaction

"You call us when the air coming from the vents is lukewarm. By this point, the unit has likely been straining for weeks, causing secondary damage to the motor and electronics."

✅ The Professional Choice

"As your Reliable Partner, we perform seasonal tune-ups including coil cleaning, belt tension adjustments, and economizer testing. This ensures your unit runs at peak efficiency, saving you thousands in lifecycle costs and energy consumption."

Why Choose Kitchen Services?

Digital Inspection Portals

Since you likely won't be climbing onto the roof yourself, we bring the roof to you. Our technicians provide digital reports with before and after photos of your coils, filters, and internal components.

Honest Repair vs. Replace Logic

When an RTU reaches the 10-15 year mark, repairs become frequent. We provide transparent data on your unit's health score to help you plan for a high-efficiency replacement before the old unit dies in the middle of a July heatwave.

Safety and Compliance

We ensure all work meets California Title 24 energy standards and local building codes, protecting your lease and your liability.

Need Emergency Service?

Our technicians are on call to minimize downtime and save your inventory.

Call us anytime

(323) 310-2010

Record Emergency Request

Digital Transparency

We provide detailed photo reports with every service call. You see exactly what we fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Rooftop Unit (RTU) is a 'packaged' system, meaning the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and fan are all contained in a single outdoor cabinet. It connects directly to the building's ductwork through the roof.

They save valuable indoor square footage, keep loud mechanical noise away from occupants, and provide easy access for technicians without disrupting business operations.

A roof curb is the metal frame or 'base' that is permanently attached to the building's structure. The RTU sits on this curb, which provides a watertight seal for the ductwork and electrical connections passing into the building.

Yes, but they are rare. They are typically found in homes with flat roofs or where there is zero yard space for a ground unit.

These are mechanical dampers that bring in fresh outside air when it is cooler than the indoor air. This provides 'free cooling,' significantly reducing energy costs during mild weather.

Most last 15 to 20 years. In 2026, many older units are being replaced earlier to transition to modern high-efficiency standards and newer refrigerants.

Because they are fully exposed to the elements. UV rays, extreme temperature swings, snow, and rain degrade seals and electronics much faster than systems housed in a basement or mechanical room.

Condenser coils should be cleaned at least twice a year. Because they are on the roof, they often suck up 'cottonwood' seeds, dust, and grease (especially near restaurants), which acts like a blanket and causes the system to overheat.

This is usually due to a clogged P-trap or a rusted-out drain pan. In summer, the unit produces gallons of condensation; if the drain is blocked, it has nowhere to go but down.

Yes. If the unit uses gas for heating, the 'draft inducer motor' and heat exchanger must be checked. Snow must also be cleared away from intake vents to prevent the system from shutting down on safety codes.

As of 2026, new RTU manufacturing has moved away from R-410A to A2L refrigerants (like R-454B). These have a lower Global Warming Potential but require specific leak-detection sensors inside the unit cabinet.

For a standard 5-ton unit, professional installation typically ranges from $8,000 to $15,000. Large 20+ ton commercial units can exceed $50,000–$100,000.

If the cost of a repair exceeds 40% of the price of a new unit, it is usually more cost-effective to replace the system—especially if it is over 12 years old.

Many 2026 RTUs are equipped with smart controls that allow utilities to slightly adjust your cooling during peak grid demand in exchange for lower electricity rates.

Yes. In fact, many 2026 building codes (like California's Title 24) now require 'electric-ready' or heat pump RTUs for new construction and major retrofits to reduce carbon footprints.

Static pressure is the resistance the fan faces when pushing air through ducts. If the ductwork is too small or the filters are clogged, the fan motor will burn out prematurely.

This is often due to failed vibration isolators (springs or rubber pads) or an unbalanced fan blade. If left unfixed, it can lead to structural roof damage or refrigerant leaks.

A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) allows the fan motor to change speed based on demand. It is one of the best ways to save energy, as the fan doesn't have to run at 100% speed all day.

If the compressor turns on and off every 3–5 minutes, it's likely oversized for the space or has a faulty sensor. This is a 'silent killer' of RTUs, as it wears out the compressor incredibly fast.

These units use an electric heat pump for mild winter days and a gas furnace for extreme cold. This provides the most reliable and cost-effective heating in cold-climate regions.