Rooftop unit replacement in Denver

A rooftop unit changeout is a short, intense project: a crane on the street, a unit in the air, a building that needs to be back in service by the time the doors open. Besties HVAC Solutions replaces packaged rooftop units on office, retail, restaurant, medical and light industrial buildings across the Denver metro, from single units to full roofs.

We plan the lift, the curb, the utilities and the controls before the crane shows up, so the day of the changeout is execution, not discovery.

Spec sheet

Rooftop unit replacement at a glance

Unit sizes	Light commercial packaged units through large multi-ton RTUs
Configurations	Gas/electric, heat pump, electric heat, economizer, single and multi-zone VAV
Lift	Crane coordination, rigging plan, street use and permit where required
Curbs	Direct replacement, curb adapters for different footprints, new curbs with roofer coordination
Controls	Thermostat or networked controls, economizer setup, BACnet-ready options
Scheduling	Weekend, early morning and after-hours changeouts

Who we work with

Owners, asset managers and property managers of office, retail, restaurant, medical and light industrial buildings, and general contractors who need RTU replacement as part of a larger renovation. Retail centers and multi-tenant office buildings with many units on one roof benefit most from a planned, multi-unit approach.

Planning the changeout

Before ordering equipment we survey each unit: nameplate data, tonnage, heat type, curb dimensions, gas and electrical connections, condensate, economizer and controls. We check structural concerns with the owner or engineer when a heavier unit is proposed, and we confirm crane access, lift radius and street or parking lot use. If the new unit has a different footprint, we specify a curb adapter so the roof does not need to be opened.

Lift day

Most changeouts are scheduled early on weekends or before business hours. The crane sets, the old unit is disconnected and lifted off, the adapter or curb is prepared, and the new unit is set, connected and started. With good planning, multiple units can come off and go on in a single crane day, which keeps crane cost per unit down.

Startup and controls

After the lift we complete gas and electrical connections, condensate, economizer setup, controls and a full startup on heating and cooling. We verify airflow and safeties, and document every unit for the owner and property manager.

Altitude and hail

RTUs in Denver need altitude-correct gas setup and capacity selection, and hail guards are worth considering on exposed roofs. We also check roof penetrations and curb flashing condition with the roofer when needed.

Repair or replace a rooftop unit

Replacement usually makes sense when a unit is near the end of its expected life, has a failed compressor or cracked heat exchanger, uses an obsolete refrigerant, or keeps needing repairs that add up to a meaningful share of a new unit. We give owners a written comparison of repair cost, remaining life and replacement cost per unit, so the decision can be made unit by unit or for the whole roof.

Multi-unit roofs

Replacing several units at once usually lowers the cost per unit because the crane, permits and mobilization are shared. It also lets owners standardize equipment and controls across the building, which simplifies maintenance and filter stocking for years afterward.

Controls and efficiency upgrades

A changeout is the right time to add economizers that work, replace old thermostats with programmable or networked controls, and set schedules that match occupancy. These changes often save more energy than the efficiency difference between unit models.

Typical project scope

• Unit survey and replacement selection
• Structural and roof coordination
• Crane, rigging and street use
• Curb adapters or new curbs
• Gas, electrical and condensate
• Economizer and controls
• Startup and documentation
• Removal and disposal of old units

What is included

• One crane day planned for multiple units when possible
• After-hours scheduling for occupied buildings
• Written lift plan and schedule
• Insured crews and EPA-certified technicians
• Unit-by-unit startup reports

Our process

1. Roof survey. Every unit inspected and documented.
2. Proposal. Replacement equipment, adapters, lift plan and price.
3. Lift day. Crane, changeout and connections in a planned window.
4. Startup. Commissioning, controls and documentation.

Pricing

Project	Typical range
RTU replacement, per unit, light commercial	$15,000 to $30,000
RTU replacement, per unit, larger tonnage	$30,000 to $60,000+
Curb adapter, per unit	Priced per footprint
Crane day	Priced per lift plan, shared across units

Typical range, exact pricing after plan review or site walk. Per-unit pricing depends on tonnage, heat type, curb, controls and crane requirements.