Rooftop Unit (RTU) Maintenance Checklist for Dallas Commercial Buildings
The spring and fall rooftop unit maintenance checklist we use on Dallas–Fort Worth commercial buildings, how often RTUs need service, and what to expect in a report.
Most commercial buildings in Dallas–Fort Worth are cooled by packaged rooftop units (RTUs) — self-contained heating and cooling systems that sit on the roof, out of sight until one stops working on a July afternoon. This is the checklist we work from on commercial maintenance visits, written for facility and property managers who want to know what a proper RTU visit covers and how often it should happen.
How Often Should Rooftop Units Be Serviced?
Building type
Recommended frequency
Why
Office, retail, light commercial
Twice a year (spring and fall)
One visit before cooling season, one before heating
Restaurants and commercial kitchens
Quarterly
Grease-laden air and long run hours clog filters and coils faster
Medical, data rooms, 24-hour sites
Quarterly
Continuous load and low tolerance for downtime
Filters may need changing more often than full visits, especially on restaurants and dusty warehouse sites.
Spring RTU Checklist (Before Cooling Season)
Filters — replace, and confirm the size and rack seal so air doesn’t bypass them.
Condenser coil — inspect and clean. Cottonwood, dust and grease on a DFW roof can cut capacity sharply by the first heat wave.
Evaporator coil and drain pan — check for dirt, clear the condensate drain and trap. A blocked drain is a common cause of ceiling leaks below an RTU.
Refrigerant circuit — measure operating pressures, superheat and subcooling, and look for oil stains that mark a leak.
Electrical — test capacitors, inspect contactors, tighten connections, measure motor amperage against the nameplate.
Belts and bearings — on belt-drive blowers, check tension, alignment and wear; replace cracked belts.
Economizer — confirm the damper moves freely and the controls actually switch it. A stuck-open economizer brings hot outdoor air in all summer.
Supply and return temperature split — confirm the unit is cooling the way it should.
Fall RTU Checklist (Before Heating Season)
Gas heat section — inspect burners, clean the flame sensor, test the igniter and check the gas pressure.
Heat exchanger — inspect for cracks or corrosion. A cracked heat exchanger can put combustion gases into the supply air.
Flue and combustion air — clear of debris, birds’ nests and anything stored on the roof.
Electric heat or heat pump units — test heat strips, the defrost cycle and the reversing valve.
Safety controls — verify the high-limit and rollout switches work.
Filters, belts and electrical — repeated from spring.
Every Visit: Roof and Cabinet
Cabinet panels secured and gaskets intact, so rain doesn’t get into the unit or the building.
Curb and roof penetrations sealed.
Thermostat or building controls reading correctly and on the right schedule.
A written record of readings, so a refrigerant pressure or motor amperage that is drifting gets caught before it fails.
Why the Written Report Matters
A technician who says “it’s fine” leaves you nothing to plan with. A per-unit report with readings, photos and recommendations lets you budget replacements, compare units across properties, and show tenants or owners that maintenance actually happened. You can see what ours looks like in our sample maintenance report.
Signs an RTU Needs Attention Between Visits
One zone of the building is consistently warmer than the rest.
Water stains on ceiling tiles below a unit.
Short cycling, or a unit that runs nonstop on a mild day.
New noise from the roof, or a burning smell at the vents.
Energy bills rising without a change in occupancy or weather.
We maintain rooftop units for offices, restaurants, retail and multi-site property managers across Dallas–Fort Worth, with scheduled visits and a written report after each one. Request a commercial maintenance proposal, or call 214-900-2533 if a unit is down now.
Reviewed by Kenneth Galvan, Founder & Lead HVAC Technician
Kenny founded Absolute Comfort Mechanical after more than 20 years in the Dallas–Fort Worth HVAC trade, because he was tired of watching homeowners get sold equipment they didn't need. He still runs diagnostics himself and reviews the technical advice published on this site.
20+ years in the Dallas–Fort Worth HVAC trade
Licensed and insured Texas HVAC contractor
EPA Section 608 certified for refrigerant handling
Residential and commercial refrigeration experience