What qualifies as 'commercial' HVAC
The line between residential and commercial HVAC is blurry. In practical terms, commercial HVAC means:
- Rooftop package units (RTUs) — a self-contained AC+heater on the roof, common on single-story retail, offices, warehouses, and restaurants
- 3-phase electrical service — most commercial buildings use 208V/3-phase power vs. residential 240V/single-phase
- Larger-tonnage systems — commercial installs regularly go 5-25 tons; residential tops out around 5
- Multiple-zone systems — one building, many thermostats, VAV boxes or multi-split configurations
- Documentation requirements — commercial maintenance usually involves written service logs for insurance, warranty, and lease compliance
Rooftop package units (RTUs)
The workhorse of commercial HVAC. An RTU is a single cabinet mounted on the roof that contains the AC compressor, the heating section (gas or electric heat pump), the blower, and all the controls. One unit handles one zone or one leased space.
RTUs come in gas/electric configurations (gas heat + electric AC) and all-electric heat pump configurations. Statewide HVAC installs both; the right choice depends on the building's gas service, utility rates, and whether the owner wants to electrify over time.
Planned maintenance programs
Commercial HVAC fails differently than residential. Residential downtime is uncomfortable; commercial downtime costs revenue, violates lease terms, and can trigger insurance consequences. The right answer is scheduled maintenance rather than reactive calls.
A planned maintenance program typically includes:
- Spring + fall tune-ups (coil cleaning, refrigerant check, electrical, controls)
- Monthly or quarterly filter changes depending on building use
- Belt replacement, motor amp-draw checks, blower performance
- Combustion safety on gas-fired equipment
- Written service log for insurance, warranty, and lease compliance
- Priority response window on breakdown calls
Property management portfolios
For property managers overseeing multiple units — a strip mall, an office park, a small multi-tenant portfolio — Statewide HVAC can structure service across the full set.
Benefits of a single-contractor relationship across a portfolio: consistent documentation standards, consolidated billing, one point of contact for tenant service calls, predictable response windows, and institutional knowledge of each unit's history over time.
Title 24 compliance on commercial
California Title 24 Part 6 covers commercial HVAC with different and often more stringent requirements than residential. New installs and major changeouts on commercial buildings must meet current energy-code requirements for equipment efficiency, economizer operation, duct sealing, demand-control ventilation (DCV), and controls.
A compliant commercial changeout includes the permit, inspection, and in some cases a Title 24 energy calculation prepared by a licensed professional. Statewide HVAC handles the permit coordination and compliance paperwork so the install isn't delayed by missing documentation.
Common questions
Do you work on 3-phase commercial equipment?
Yes. Our C-20 (HVAC) and C-43 (Sheet Metal) license classifications cover both residential and light-commercial installations, including 3-phase rooftop package units and multi-zone systems. We've installed 5-ton to 7.5-ton 3-phase heat pump packages for Sacramento-region commercial buildings.
Can you handle emergency commercial breakdowns?
Call us to discuss response windows for your building type. We don't publish a '24/7' promise we can't operationally guarantee — but we structure planned maintenance agreements with priority breakdown-call windows that reflect what we can actually commit to.
What's included in a commercial maintenance agreement?
Depends on the building and equipment, but typically: spring + fall tune-ups, scheduled filter changes, belt/motor/blower checks, combustion safety on gas equipment, documented service logs, priority breakdown response. We scope the specifics against your actual portfolio.
Do you work with property management companies?
Yes. Portfolio-level service for property managers across multi-tenant buildings, strip malls, and small commercial centers is a regular part of what we do. Consolidated billing, single-point coordination, consistent documentation.
What's the difference between a package unit and a split system on a commercial building?
A package unit is self-contained on the roof (compressor, coil, blower, heater all in one cabinet). A split system has the compressor outside and the air handler inside. Package units are common on single-story commercial where the roof is accessible; split systems are common where there's a dedicated mechanical room. Both have trade-offs — we size for whichever actually fits the building and the use.
Are new commercial installs subject to Title 24?
Yes. California Title 24 Part 6 covers commercial HVAC with current energy-code requirements for equipment efficiency, economizer operation, duct sealing, demand-control ventilation, and controls. Permit + inspection + (in some cases) a Title 24 energy calculation are part of a compliant install.