Efficient rooftop units
Efficient RTUs offer savings through the roof
An efficient gas roof top unit (RTU) provides all the accessible convenience of a neatly packaged standard RTU—but without the wasted energy. Installed on a building’s roof in the same way as a standard RTU, efficient gas RTUs come in a variety of forms, each of which improves HVAC efficiency while achieving the building’s thermal comfort requirements.
Benefits
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Convenient 1:1 replacement
These neatly packaged units are the same size as standard RTUs, allowing them to directly replace old, inefficient units without taking up additional roof space.
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Energy savings
Efficient gas RTUs with 90% Thermal Efficiency, increased insulation, and reduced damper leakage can reduce HVAC energy waste by up to 40%.
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Flexible design
Efficient gas RTUs are available in a variety of product options to meet your specific building needs and achieve your energy-saving goals. Product options include efficient gas RTUs with insulated cabinets, dampers, and integrated or bolt-on energy recovery ventilation for increased energy savings.
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Resources
Frequently asked questions
What makes an RTU an efficient RTU?
After years of lab and field testing, nonprofit Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) developed a set of system performance criteria for gas rooftop units that ensure they reliably deliver heating energy savings in Northern climates and are easy to install as a direct replacement for existing RTUs.
Efficient RTUs are broken down and defined by two performance tiers:
Tier 1 units provide better efficiency than standard RTUs, including at least 80% Thermal Efficiency (TE) and additional energy efficiency gains via increased insulation and reduced damper leakage. This makes them up to 15% more efficient than a standard RTU (depending on climate zone and building type).
Tier 2 units include some of the highest performing gas RTUs available. These units include everything in Tier 1, plus an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). These upgrades can result in units that are up to 40% more efficient than a standard RTU. Tier 2 units are particularly ideal for buildings with higher occupancies and/or higher than average heating needs.
How much energy does an efficient RTU save compared to a standard RTU?
By incorporating a combination of energy-saving features, including high insulation values, improved cabinet design, low-leakage dampers, and heat or energy recovery, efficient RTUs can provide up to 40% total HVAC energy savings.
What are common applications for efficient RTUs?
Common building types and characteristics include:
- Small-to-medium commercial buildings, under three stories
- Retail, small office, grocery, and schools
- Buildings with existing and aging RTUs
Where can I find an efficient RTU?
Nonprofit and Northwest-based Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) maintains a list of manufacturers and product models that comply with their definition of an efficient RTU. These products have been reviewed and vetted to ensure they reliably deliver heating energy savings in Northern climates and are easy to install as a direct replacement for existing RTUs.
