Look for more commercial buildings to use rooftop units for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Rooftop units (RTUs) open up inside space, always a premium in New York City. They’re easier to maintain, and they often can offer cleaner air, a concern for office workers and other employees.

The growth in RTUs will be almost 5 percent a year from now through 2030. Grandview Research made the estimate – 4.9 percent to be exact – after conducting a report that detected the growth. Look for the focus to be on buildings less than 10 stories tall.

“The growth of restaurants, small businesses, and retail spaces is likely to drive the growth of the 5-7 ton segment over the forecast period,” Grandview said.

RTU cons

Rooftop units have some drawbacks, primarily their vulnerability to rain, heat, snow and other challenging weather. To succeed long-term, they need a shelter for protection.

They also can be vulnerable to animals that infiltrate the system and damage components.

Read the RTU report here

Premier HVAC serves commercial and residential HVAC customers in Long Island, Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn.