The flat roof design is a great relief for people who have space issues in the buildings. It is impossible to compromise on the available space, especially in densely populated areas where the rents are very high. You can observe that most of the buildings have installed HVAC on the rooftop.
There are many concerns on HVAC units regarding the safety of buildings. So, I have jotted down some pros and cons of installing these units on your flat roof. This will allow you to have some clarity, and you can decide whether these HVAC units are suitable for your building or not.
Pros
1. Space Utilization
Space is a significant issue in buildings nowadays. Installing an HVAC unit inside the building can be very expensive, and it can consume a lot of space that can be used for working stations. Therefore, the flat roof design is trendy in commercial buildings because it allows installing these HVAC units on the top of the building.
Usually, the roof space is unallocated and spare for multiple uses. Unfortunately, it cannot be used as storage space because the rooftop is prone to weather conditions. Therefore, the installation of HVAC units on the rooftop is ideal for flat roof buildings.
2. Noise Free Building
HVAC units are massive in size and produce a lot of sounds when turned on. This can cause a lot of disruptions in the daily work routine inside the building. So, the installation of these units inside the building is not desirable. Therefore, commercial buildings prefer the flat roofs on which they can place these HVAC units.
A soundproof layer is applied on the rooftop to avoid noise entering the building. This makes the building a quiet and calm place which allows employees to focus on their work.
3. Easy and Quick Maintenance
Buildings, having indoor air conditioning units, face the problem of maintenance. The sole reason is that it can affect the regular work inside the building. Therefore, they need to wait for the weekend to work on the maintenance. This is a significant limitation for units inside the building.
This issue is addressed in the rooftop installation of HVAC units. These units can be checked and maintained any time of day without interrupting the workers’ daily routines. Therefore, business owners who can not compromise on the workflow should go for the rooftop installation of HVAC units.
4. Central Location
Installing an HVAC unit on the rooftop eliminates the need the maintaining two separate units for heating and cooling. These HVAC units are designed to take care of both the heating and cooling requirements of the building. It is a relief for the building owners because it reduces the stress of maintenance of both systems.
Cons
1. Weather Impact
The HVAC units installed on the flat roofs are prone to weather conditions. These pieces of equipment are fixed on the roof and cannot be disassembled easily to shift to another spot. Therefore, continuous exposure to dust, rain, and sunlight can damage the material of these units.
In case of heavy storms, you need to cover these units with protective sheets. Otherwise, rainwater and heavy wind can damage it to a great extent.
2. Can Damage Roof
The weight of the HVAC units is hefty. The continuous sliding and adjustment can lead to cracks on the surface of the roof. The water gets stuck under the HVAC units during the rainy season, leading to ponding of water on the roof. This leads to leakages in the surface of the roof.
The impact is not sudden, but it can cause more significant damage to the roof surface over time.
3. Regular Maintenance Required
HVAC units installed on the flat roofs need to be maintained regularly. Continuous exposure to weather conditions can make these units dirty. Especially during the rainy season, water ponding is an excellent issue.
It puts extra load on the roof and can weaken its base. Therefore, a continuous inspection of the flat roof and the HVAC unit is essential to ensure the safety of the building.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, flat roof design provides excellent benefits to the building residents. Especially, the extra space utilization is one of the most significant benefits for which commercial buildings prefer this design. Installing the HVAC units on the rooftop is a good option only if you ensure the regular maintenance of the flat roof and the HVAC unit itself.
I have tried to provide the essential information regarding the pros and cons of installing these units on the rooftop. So you can have some clarity on whether it is suited for you or not.
