Commercial HVAC Installation, Replacement, and Repair in Salt Lake County
Commercial HVAC installation is technical work that has to integrate with business operations rather than disrupt them. A restaurant can’t shut down for a week while equipment gets replaced. A retail tenant can’t afford to lose three days of sales during peak season for HVAC modifications. A medical office has to maintain temperature and humidity ranges that affect patient comfort and equipment operation. A property management company has tenant relationships to maintain throughout the work. The technical part of commercial HVAC installation matters; the operational part matters at least as much.
The commercial HVAC market in Salt Lake County is filled with contractors who do residential work occasionally on commercial properties and contractors who do large commercial work and don’t really focus on smaller commercial customers. The middle ground — contractors who specialize in light commercial work, understand the operational realities of small to mid-sized businesses, and provide the technical depth that complex commercial equipment requires — is less common. We position ourselves in that middle ground: experienced enough on commercial equipment to handle rooftop units, multi-zone systems, and commercial-grade controls; small enough to work directly with business owners and facility managers without bureaucratic friction; technical enough to deliver proper installations rather than residential-style work on commercial equipment.
Below is what commercial HVAC installation and repair involves when done correctly, what specific applications we serve, and how we structure commercial relationships for ongoing reliability rather than one-off transactions.
Commercial HVAC Equipment Types We Install
Rooftop Packaged Units (RTUs)
The most common commercial HVAC configuration in light commercial applications. Self-contained units mounted on building roofs combining cooling compressor, condenser, evaporator coil, heating section (typically gas, sometimes electric), blower, and controls in one package. Typical capacities 3–25 tons per unit, with multiple units often serving larger buildings.
RTU advantages include simplified installation (single equipment piece rather than separate indoor/outdoor units), reduced indoor mechanical space requirements, broad equipment availability across major brands, and well-established service patterns for commercial maintenance. Disadvantages include rooftop access challenges for service, exposure to weather extremes affecting service life, and higher operating cost than some alternative configurations.
See our rooftop units page for detailed information on RTU service.
Commercial Split Systems
Separate indoor and outdoor units similar to residential split systems but with larger capacity and commercial features. Indoor air handlers mounted in mechanical rooms, ceiling spaces, or other interior locations; outdoor condenser units mounted on the ground or on building exterior walls. Typical capacities 3–15 tons.
Split system advantages include better service accessibility than rooftop equipment, potentially longer service life due to protected indoor components, and flexibility in indoor unit placement. Disadvantages include more complex installation (refrigerant lines and controls between indoor and outdoor), larger indoor mechanical space requirements, and slightly higher equipment cost than equivalent RTUs.
Commercial Mini-Split Systems
Multi-zone ductless mini-split systems serving commercial applications — restaurants with varied zone requirements, offices with per-room temperature control, retail spaces with distinct merchandise areas, and other applications where ductless zone control matches operational needs. Mitsubishi VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) and Daikin VRV systems are common premium options for larger commercial mini-split installations.
Mini-split advantages in commercial applications include independent zone control, high efficiency, quiet operation, and no ductwork required for installations in spaces lacking duct infrastructure. See our ductless mini-splits page for additional information.
Commercial Heat Pumps
Air-source heat pumps and water-source heat pumps for commercial cooling and heating. Air-source heat pumps are increasingly common in light commercial applications due to high efficiency, lower operating costs, and reduced reliance on fossil fuel heating. Water-source heat pumps (which transfer heat to or from a building’s water loop) are used in larger commercial buildings with central plant water systems.
Boilers and Hydronic Distribution
Commercial boiler systems with hot water or steam distribution. Common in older Salt Lake commercial buildings, particularly downtown and historic commercial properties. We service boiler systems for heating-only applications and provide installation of new boiler equipment when existing systems reach end of service life.
Commercial Refrigeration HVAC Integration
Restaurant and food service applications often integrate HVAC with refrigeration systems — walk-in cooler and freezer cooling, condenser placement coordination, exhaust hood integration, makeup air requirements. We coordinate with refrigeration contractors on these integrated systems rather than installing primary refrigeration ourselves.
Commercial HVAC Repair Services
Beyond installation, ongoing commercial HVAC repair covers the wide range of failures that occur in commercial equipment service:
Compressor Repair and Replacement
Compressor failures are the most expensive common commercial HVAC failure. Diagnosis involves verifying compressor failure mode (electrical, mechanical, refrigerant-related) and determining whether repair or replacement is appropriate. Commercial compressor replacement typically $2,500–$6,500 depending on capacity and equipment type. Some failures qualify for manufacturer warranty coverage if equipment is within warranty period; we file warranty claims on behalf of customers.
Electrical Component Repair
Contactor failures, capacitor failures, control board issues, motor starters, and other electrical component problems are common commercial repair scenarios. Most resolve same-day with parts stocked on our service trucks.
Refrigerant System Service
Leak detection and repair, refrigerant recharging after leak repair, evaporator coil and condenser coil work, expansion device problems, and related refrigerant system service. Commercial refrigerant work often involves larger refrigerant quantities than residential, with proportional cost implications.
Motor and Belt Service
Blower motor replacement, condenser fan motor service, belt and pulley replacement on belt-drive equipment, ECM motor diagnostics and replacement on variable-speed systems.
Gas Heating Section Repair
On gas-fired RTUs and packaged units, gas heating section issues — failed igniters, gas valve problems, flame sensor issues, pressure switch failures, heat exchanger problems. Combustion analysis and proper repair maintains both efficiency and safety on gas heating.
Controls and BAS Integration
Commercial control system issues — thermostat problems, control board failures, BAS (Building Automation System) integration issues, sensor failures, zone control problems on multi-zone systems. Commercial controls are more complex than residential and benefit from technicians with commercial control experience.
Code Compliance for Commercial HVAC
Commercial HVAC installations face more rigorous code requirements than residential:
International Mechanical Code (IMC)
IMC Chapter 4 establishes minimum outdoor air ventilation rates based on occupancy type. Restaurants, offices, retail, schools, and other occupancy types have specific minimum ventilation requirements measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per occupant or per square foot. We verify ventilation rates during installation and document compliance in commissioning reports.
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Commercial energy code establishes minimum efficiency requirements for HVAC equipment and building envelope characteristics. Code compliance requires specific equipment efficiency levels for new installations and significant retrofits. We select equipment that meets or exceeds current code requirements.
Salt Lake County Health Department Requirements
Restaurants and food service operations face health department requirements affecting HVAC — kitchen exhaust capture velocity, makeup air provisions, dining area ventilation rates, and walk-in refrigeration HVAC coordination. We coordinate with health department requirements during restaurant HVAC installations.
Building Department Permits and Inspections
Commercial HVAC installations typically require mechanical permits with inspection. Larger installations require engineering drawings, plans review, and final inspection before occupancy approval. We handle permit filing, inspection scheduling, and code compliance verification on every commercial installation.
Fire Suppression Integration
Some commercial occupancies require HVAC integration with fire suppression systems — smoke detector activation triggering HVAC shutdown, smoke evacuation provisions, fire damper installations, and similar requirements. We coordinate with fire protection contractors on integrated requirements.
Commercial Installation Process Detail
Pre-Installation Coordination
Commercial installations require coordination with business operations:
- Scheduling around business operations — work performed during off-hours, weekends, or seasonal closures whenever possible
- Tenant communications on multi-tenant properties
- Health department coordination on restaurant work
- Property management coordination on managed properties
- Crane scheduling for rooftop equipment placement
- Roof access coordination for rooftop work
- Building department permit and inspection scheduling
Equipment Removal
- Refrigerant recovery to EPA Section 608 standards (zero atmospheric venting)
- Electrical disconnection with proper lockout/tagout procedures
- Gas service disconnection where applicable
- Drainage disconnection
- Equipment removal — typically requires crane on rooftop installations
- Old equipment disposal per environmental regulations
New Equipment Installation
- Curb adapter fabrication for replacement RTU installations where new equipment doesn’t match existing curb dimensions
- Crane placement of new equipment
- Refrigerant line work with nitrogen purge during brazing, vacuum to 500 microns held to verify dryness
- Electrical connections with proper amperage and breaker sizing
- Gas service connection where applicable, with leak testing
- Ductwork connection and modification as required
- Controls integration with existing BAS or new controls installation
- Drain pan and condensate drainage installation
Commissioning
- Refrigerant charge verification by superheat or subcool method
- Static pressure measurement
- Temperature differential verification
- Electrical readings on all motors
- Combustion analysis on gas equipment
- Ventilation rate verification per IMC code
- Controls operation verification — heating modes, cooling modes, ventilation only, emergency stop
- Safety control verification
- Written commissioning report
Documentation and Handoff
- Written commissioning report with all measurements
- Equipment manuals and warranty documentation
- Manufacturer warranty registration
- Maintenance schedule recommendations
- Service contract setup if requested
- Customer walkthrough on equipment operation, controls, and basic troubleshooting
Commercial HVAC Pricing
New Installation and Replacement
- 3–5 ton single-zone RTU installation/replacement: $8,500–$20,000
- 7.5–10 ton RTU installation/replacement: $15,000–$32,000
- 15-ton+ RTU installation/replacement: $25,000–$60,000+
- Commercial split system installation (4–7.5 ton): $10,000–$28,000
- Commercial mini-split installation (multi-zone): $15,000–$40,000+ depending on zone count and capacity
- Commercial heat pump installation: $12,000–$30,000 typical light commercial
- Boiler installation: $15,000–$35,000+ depending on capacity and type
Common Commercial Repairs
- Compressor replacement: $2,500–$6,500
- Heat exchanger replacement: $2,500–$5,500
- Capacitor replacement: $300–$650
- Contactor replacement: $350–$650
- Condenser fan motor replacement: $700–$1,400
- Blower motor replacement: $800–$1,800
- Gas valve replacement: $600–$1,400
- Control board replacement: $500–$1,200
- Belt and pulley service: $150–$350
- Refrigerant recharge: per pound at current refrigerant pricing plus diagnostic fee
- Diagnostic visit: $125–$250 applied toward any repair work
Cost Factors
- Equipment capacity — larger units cost proportionally more
- Installation complexity — curb adapter fabrication, ductwork modifications, electrical upgrades
- Crane requirements for rooftop installations
- Permit and inspection costs — typically $300–$1,500 depending on jurisdiction and project scope
- Engineering documentation for larger installations requiring stamped drawings
- After-hours and weekend work for installations requiring minimum business disruption
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does commercial HVAC installation cost?
- Varies significantly by equipment type and capacity. RTU installation $8,500–$60,000+ depending on capacity; commercial split systems $10,000–$28,000; commercial heat pumps $12,000–$30,000. Crane requirements, curb adapter fabrication, electrical upgrades, and permit costs add to base equipment installation pricing. Specific pricing requires site evaluation and load calculation.
- How long does commercial installation take?
- Standard RTU replacement typically 1–2 days. Larger or more complex installations 2–5 days. Multi-unit replacements scheduled across multiple visits to maintain business operations. We work with customers to schedule installations during off-hours or seasonal slow periods when possible.
- Do you provide engineering for larger installations?
- For installations requiring stamped engineering drawings, we coordinate with licensed engineers familiar with our work. Most light commercial installations don’t require engineering documentation, but we identify and handle the requirement when it arises.
- Can installations happen during business operations?
- Sometimes yes, depending on scope. RTU replacements typically require equipment downtime that conflicts with business operations. Some component repairs and maintenance can be performed during operations. We work with customers to schedule major work during off-hours, weekends, seasonal slow periods, or planned closures to minimize disruption.
- What’s the difference between an RTU and a split system?
- RTU (rooftop unit) is a self-contained packaged system mounted on the building roof — all components in one unit. Split systems have separate indoor and outdoor units with refrigerant lines between them. RTUs are simpler to install but harder to service due to rooftop access. Split systems offer better service accessibility but require more complex installation.
- Do you handle commercial gas equipment?
- Yes, including gas-fired RTUs, commercial boilers, and gas-fired air handlers. Combustion analysis on all gas equipment during installation and maintenance. Gas line work performed by Travis Hollings under his Utah journeyman plumber endorsement.
- What about restaurant kitchen exhaust systems?
- Restaurant HVAC integration involves kitchen exhaust hoods, makeup air units, and integration with main building HVAC. We provide installation and service on restaurant-specific HVAC equipment and coordinate with health department requirements affecting HVAC.
Schedule Commercial HVAC Consultation
Whether you need new commercial HVAC installation, equipment replacement, or repair on existing commercial systems, call (385) 250-0687 for site evaluation and written quote. Commercial site surveys scheduled around your business operations.
- Phone: (385) 250-0687
- Email: info@aegisheatingandair.xyz
- Address: 4454 Manhattan Ct, West Valley City, UT 84120