Service · Orlando, FL
Rooftop Unit Installation in Orlando
New commercial package unit installs, sized to the building’s actual load, set on a matched curb, and commissioned with real readings before we leave — not just powered on and called done.
New rooftop unit installation for Orlando commercial buildings
A new construction build-out, a ground-up shell that needs conditioned air for the first time, or an owner who wants a second opinion before signing off on whatever tonnage a general contractor penciled in — new rooftop unit installation is a different job than a like-for-like replacement, and it gets treated that way. Instead of matching what was already there, we start from a load calculation: square footage, glazing, occupancy, kitchen or process loads if any, and roof orientation all factor into what tonnage and configuration actually fits the space. An oversized unit short-cycles and never dehumidifies properly; an undersized one runs constantly and still cannot hold setpoint on a 95-degree Orlando afternoon. Both mistakes get made constantly by contractors sizing off a rule of thumb instead of a real calculation.
Package rooftop units dominate Orlando commercial construction for good reason — strip retail, restaurants, light industrial and small office buildings almost universally use packaged gas/electric or straight-cool units set on a roof curb rather than a split system with an indoor air handler eating into leasable square footage. That makes the curb, the roof penetration, and the electrical service the three things that determine whether an install goes smoothly or turns into a change-order mess.
How we size a new rooftop unit
We run a Manual N-style commercial load calculation rather than eyeballing square footage against a chart. Ceiling height, insulation values, window area and orientation, occupancy density, and any kitchen hoods or process equipment that adds sensible or latent heat all get factored in. For a straightforward single-tenant retail box this takes an hour on site; for a restaurant build-out with hood makeup air requirements it takes longer because the makeup air unit and the RTU have to be sized together, not separately. Getting this step wrong is the single most common reason a brand-new rooftop unit still cannot keep a space comfortable.
Curb, crane and roof penetration
New construction usually means a new curb built to the manufacturer’s exact footprint, flashed and sealed before the unit ever sets. We coordinate the curb dimensions with the general contractor or roofer well before delivery so the crane pick happens once, not twice. On occupied buildings adding a first-time rooftop unit, we also check roof structural capacity with the building’s engineer of record when the unit weight is significant — a heavier high-efficiency unit is not always a drop-in replacement for what a roof was originally designed to hold.
Electrical, gas and controls tie-in
Every install includes verifying the electrical service and disconnect are sized correctly for the unit’s actual amp draw, running gas piping and pressure testing it where the unit is gas/electric, and wiring the unit into whatever thermostat or building automation system the property uses. We commission the unit before calling the job finished: refrigerant charge verified against manufacturer subcooling/superheat targets, gas pressure checked, airflow measured at the registers, and control sequences tested, not just a power-on and a five-minute check.
What a new install costs in Orlando
Installed pricing runs primarily on tonnage, with curb work, electrical upgrades and crane access as the variables that move a job up or down within its range. A straightforward 3–5 ton package unit on a prepared curb with adequate electrical service runs toward the lower end of its range; a 7.5–12.5 ton unit needing a crane pick, new electrical service, and gas line extension runs toward the top.
| Job | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 ton package unit, installed | $9,500 – $18,000 | Curb condition, electrical capacity, crane access |
| 7.5–12.5 ton package unit, installed | $18,000 – $38,000 | Tonnage, crane pick, ductwork changes |
| New curb fabrication & roof flashing | $1,200 – $3,500 | Curb size and roof membrane type |
| Electrical service upgrade for new unit | $800 – $4,500 | Panel capacity and run distance |
| Gas line install/extension (gas/electric units) | $600 – $2,200 | Line length and pressure test requirements |
| Load calculation & on-site estimate | Free | — |
Timeline and minimizing downtime
A single-unit install on a prepared curb with adequate electrical typically takes one day for the mechanical set and a second day for gas/electrical tie-in and commissioning. Multi-unit installs on distribution centers or larger retail buildings run longer and get sequenced so at least partial conditioning stays online if the building is already occupied. We schedule crane picks for early morning when possible to reduce parking lot disruption for open businesses.
Repair, replace or install new
If you already have a failing unit rather than a bare roof, see RTU replacement for curb-matched swap pricing, or RTU repair if the unit just needs a diagnosis first. Once a new or replacement unit is running, a preventive maintenance contract is what actually protects that investment for the next 12–15 years.
Where we install rooftop units
We install commercial rooftop units throughout Orange County and the surrounding metro, including Downtown Orlando, Lake Nona, Winter Garden, Apopka and Kissimmee, with no trip charge anywhere on our normal route.
Questions
RTU Installation FAQs
Most 3–5 ton package unit installs run $9,500 to $18,000, and 7.5–12.5 ton units run $18,000 to $38,000 installed, depending on curb work, electrical capacity and crane access needed. We give a flat written price after the load calculation and site walk, not a phone estimate.
We run a load calculation using square footage, ceiling height, insulation, window area, occupancy and any kitchen or process equipment, rather than a rule-of-thumb tonnage-per-square-foot guess. Getting this step wrong is the most common reason a new unit never keeps a space comfortable.
Most package units above a couple tons need a crane pick, especially on single-story commercial buildings without roof access via ladder or hoist. We coordinate crane scheduling as part of the estimate so it is priced up front, not added as a surprise.
A single-unit install on a prepared curb with adequate electrical typically takes one to two days for the mechanical set, gas/electrical tie-in and commissioning. Multi-unit jobs on larger buildings take longer and get sequenced to minimize downtime if the space is occupied.
If you are replacing an existing unit, we measure the existing curb first and match it wherever possible. For true new-construction installs there is no existing curb, so we build one to the new unit’s exact footprint and coordinate with your roofer on flashing and sealing.
Both. Electrical service verification and upgrades, gas line installation and pressure testing, and controls tie-in are all part of a complete installation, not a separate trade we hand off and hope gets coordinated correctly.
We verify refrigerant charge against manufacturer subcooling and superheat targets, check gas pressure on gas/electric units, measure airflow at the registers, and test control sequences before calling a job finished. We document all of it for your records.
In most cases yes. We schedule crane picks for early morning when possible and sequence multi-unit jobs to keep at least partial conditioning online, though a brief shutdown during the actual curb swap or tie-in is sometimes unavoidable.
Yes, we install both configurations along with heat pump package units, and will walk you through which fits your building’s existing utility service and your operating cost priorities.
Yes, installs carry a written workmanship warranty covering installation error, in addition to whatever manufacturer parts warranty applies to the unit itself. We will explain exactly what each one covers before you sign.
Related
Other commercial HVAC work we do
Get a price for your rooftop unit installation
Free on-site load calculation and a flat written price before we start. Call or send us your building’s square footage and we will tell you what it takes.
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