Commercial Rooftop Unit (RTU) Repair

Packaged rooftop HVAC diagnostics, repair, and preventive maintenance.

Packaged rooftop units keep Iowa retail stores, offices, restaurants, churches, and small industrial buildings comfortable — and because they sit out of sight on the roof, they are usually the most neglected equipment a business owns. GERARDO HVAC LLC services and repairs commercial RTUs across Fort Dodge, Webster City, Humboldt, and Eagle Grove, Iowa. I work on gas-electric packaged units, heat pump RTUs, and straight-cool units with electric heat, and I have handled everything from a single failed capacitor to a full refrigerant leak repair on a rooftop system. Every visit includes photographs of what I found up there, because most building owners never get to see their own equipment.

Signs You Need RTU Repair

Zones running warm or cold while the RTU appears to be operating
Unit cycling on high-pressure or low-pressure safety lockout
Refrigerant leak — oil residue on line sets or coil bends
Belt squeal, bearing noise, or a blower that will not start
Economizer stuck open or closed, driving up energy costs
Rusted-through drain pans or standing water on the curb
Gas heat section failing to ignite or short cycling on limit
Rooftop breaker trips or repeated contactor failure

How I Approach RTU Repair

An RTU call starts with a full unit inspection before any parts conversation. I check incoming power and the disconnect, test contactors and capacitors, read compressor amp draw, take suction and liquid pressures, and calculate superheat and subcooling to evaluate the charge. I inspect the condenser and evaporator coils for damage and fouling, check belt tension and blower bearings, verify economizer damper operation and actuator function, inspect the heat exchanger and ignition sequence on gas units, and confirm the drain pan and condensate path are clear. Any refrigerant leak gets located with electronic detection or nitrogen pressure testing before it is repaired, evacuated, and weighed back in — not just topped off. You get a written summary with photos so you can budget honestly.

What's Included

Full rooftop unit diagnostics and performance testing
Refrigerant leak detection, brazed repair, evacuation, and weighed charge
Compressor, contactor, and capacitor replacement
Condenser fan motor and blower motor service
Belt, sheave, and bearing replacement
Economizer and damper actuator troubleshooting
Gas heat section, ignitor, and flame sensor service
Coil cleaning and drain pan clearing
Scheduled preventive maintenance programs for multi-unit buildings

Why Choose GERARDO HVAC LLC

Commercial customers get bounced between technicians who each start the diagnosis over. Working with an owner-operator means one person learns your building, remembers which unit had the weak compressor last spring, and can tell you which of your five RTUs deserves the repair budget this year. I schedule around your business hours whenever possible so service does not disrupt customers or staff, and I document everything with photos from the roof.

Service Areas

RTU Repair available in:

Schedule RTU Repair

Rooftop unit down or overdue for service? Call (515) 206-3232 or request a free quote. I service commercial RTUs throughout Fort Dodge, Webster City, Humboldt, and Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Call Now: 515-206-3232 Visit the Contact Page

RTU Repair — FAQs

How often should commercial rooftop units be serviced?

Twice a year is the standard — once before cooling season and once before heating season. Restaurants, buildings with heavy grease-laden air, or units near gravel and dust often need quarterly coil attention.

Do you work on gas-electric packaged units?

Yes. Gas-electric packaged RTUs, heat pump rooftops, and straight-cool units with electric heat strips are all part of what I service.

My RTU keeps tripping on high pressure — what causes that?

Most often a dirty or blocked condenser coil, a failed condenser fan motor, or an overcharge. It can also be a restriction in the liquid line. It needs a real diagnostic, because repeated high-pressure trips shorten compressor life.

Can you repair a rooftop refrigerant leak instead of replacing the unit?

In most cases, yes. I locate the leak, braze the repair, pressure test with nitrogen, pull a proper vacuum, and weigh in the correct charge. Replacement only makes sense when the leak is in the coil itself and the unit is already near end of life.

Will service interrupt my business?

Rarely for more than a short period. Most rooftop work happens above the ceiling and outside your space, and I can schedule early mornings, evenings, or slow days when a shutdown is unavoidable.

Do you offer preventive maintenance contracts for multiple RTUs?

Yes. For buildings with several units I set up a scheduled program with per-unit documentation so you know the condition and expected remaining life of each one.