Next Air Heating & Cooling

Lennox Rooftop Units: Reliable HVAC for Calgary Businesses

Lennox is North America’s largest commercial HVAC manufacturer. If your business uses a Lennox rooftop unit, you’re part of a trusted legacy. Thousands of Calgary commercial buildings rely on Lennox systems.
At Next Air, we’ve installed, serviced, and repaired more Lennox commercial systems than any other brand. This guide covers everything about maintaining and optimizing your Lennox RTU.

FAST FACTS: Lennox Commercial RTUs

  • Most Popular in Calgary: 40% of commercial buildings
  • Expected Lifespan: 15-20 years with proper maintenance
  • Efficiency (SEER): 15-18.5 (solid mid-to-high range)
  • Typical Size: 3-10 ton units (common commercial range)
  • Installed Cost: $8,000-$18,000 (varies by capacity)
  • Annual Maintenance: $1,200-$2,000 (4 quarterly services)
  • Reliability: Proven track record, parts readily available
  • Next Air Expertise: Deep experience, quick diagnostics

Why Lennox Rooftop Units

Proven Performance in Calgary

  1. Cold Weather Reliability
  • Designed for Canadian climate extremes
  • Compressor starts reliably at -30°C
  • Oil circulation optimized for cold
  • No special winterization needed (standard maintenance sufficient)
  1. Build Quality
  • Heavy-duty outdoor construction
  • Corrosion-resistant materials (important in Calgary’s dry climate)
  • Components rated for 20+ year lifespan
  • Proven longevity
  1. Cost-Effectiveness
  • Lower equipment cost than Carrier
  • Competitive with Daikin for value
  • Good ROI over system lifetime
  • Affordable maintenance parts
  1. Service Availability
  • Parts stocked at most HVAC suppliers in Calgary
  • Multiple technicians trained on Lennox
  • Repair turnaround fast (parts usually same-day)
  • Support network strong

Popular Lennox RTU Models

Standard Rooftop Units

  • Lennox XC Series – Entry-level, reliable, SEER 15
  • Lennox Energence Series – Mid-range, SEER 16-18
  • Lennox Signature Series – Premium efficiency, SEER 18+

Heating RTUs

  • Lennox G Series – Gas heating rooftop unit
  • Lennox Heat Pump Series – Electric heating (growing in popularity)

Maintenance Schedule for Lennox RTUs

Monthly Tasks (DIY)

Visual Check (10 minutes)
  • Look at unit from ground
  • Check for debris, leaves, dirt
  • Listen for sounds
  • Verify fan operation
Condenser Cleaning (15 minutes)
  • Remove leaves/branches
  • Use low-pressure water to rinse
  • Keep 18 inches clear around unit

Quarterly Professional Service

What We Check Every 3 Months:
  • Refrigerant pressure and charge level
  • Electrical connections (corrosion, tightness)
  • Filter inspection and replacement
  • Condenser coil condition (visual)
  • System performance measurement
  • Ductwork visual inspection
Cost: $300-$600 per service Frequency: 4 services/year (March, June, September, December) Time Required: 1-2 hours

Annual Deep Service

Comprehensive Check (September/October):
  • Professional coil cleaning (chemical + pressure wash)
  • Full ductwork inspection and sealing check
  • Thermostat calibration and testing
  • Safety inspection (electrical, gas safety if applicable)
  • Flame sensor cleaning (if furnace component)
  • Detailed written report with photos
Cost: $600-$900 Benefit: Prevents seasonal issues before heating/cooling season
Total Annual Investment: $1,800-$2,400 Expected Savings: $3,000-$5,000 in prevented repairs + energy efficiency gains

Common Lennox RTU Issues & Solutions

Issue #1: Refrigerant Leaks

Symptoms:
  • System runs but doesn’t cool/heat efficiently
  • Oil staining around connections
  • Hissing sounds
  • Frost on outdoor unit
Why Lennox RTUs Leak:
  • Connection corrosion (salt/mineral deposits in Calgary air)
  • Vibration loosening seals over years
  • Age-related seal degradation
  • Poor installation (rare)
Solution:
  1. Call us for leak location
  2. Seal the leak (braze/solder connection)
  3. Evacuate and recharge refrigerant
  4. Test system
Cost: $500-$2,000 (depends on leak location) Prevention: Quarterly maintenance catches small leaks early = big savings

Issue #2: Dirty Coils (Calgary Dust Problem)

Symptoms:
  • System running but not reaching setpoint
  • Energy bills climbing
  • Unit running constantly
Why It Happens:
  • Calgary’s dry climate = dust/dirt accumulation
  • Outdoor air + coil cooling = dust sticks
  • Happens faster than other climates
  • Even 6 months can show buildup
Solution: Schedule professional coil cleaning
  • Chemical coil cleaner (EPA-approved)
  • Pressure wash (low pressure, proper technique)
  • Compressed air drying
  • Performance test after
Cost: $200-$400 Payback: Immediate (restores efficiency) Recommended: Annually in Calgary (vs. every 2 years elsewhere)

Issue #3: Electrical Problems

Symptoms:
  • Unit won’t start
  • Breaker tripping
  • Intermittent operation
  • Burnt smell
Common Causes in Lennox RTUs:
  • Contactor (relay) failure (common after 10+ years)
  • Capacitor failure (typical after 8-12 years)
  • Compressor electrical issue
  • Wiring degradation
What to Do:
  1. Check breaker (flip to ON if OFF)
  2. If breaker trips again: STOP. Call us
  3. If smell: Evacuate and call emergency
Cost to Fix:
  • Capacitor: $200-$400
  • Contactor: $300-$600
  • Compressor electrical: $1,500-$3,000

Energy Efficiency Tips for Lennox RTUs

Quick Wins (Do This Week)

  1. Filter Changes
  • Check monthly, replace when gray/dirty
  • Cost: $15-$40 per filter
  • Savings: $100-$200/month in electricity
  1. Thermostat Optimization
  • Winter: 68-70°F during business, 62-65°F after hours
  • Summer: 76-78°F during business, 82°F after hours
  • Savings: 3-5% per degree = $100-$300/month
  1. Condenser Cleaning (DIY)
  • Monthly debris removal
  • Low-pressure water rinse
  • Cost: Free
  • Savings: Prevent efficiency loss

Medium-Term Upgrades (3-6 months)

  1. Upgrade Filters to Higher MERV Rating
  • Current: Standard MERV 8 filter
  • Upgrade: MERV 11-13 filter
  • Cost: $30-$60 per filter (still cheap)
  • Benefit: Better indoor air quality + slight efficiency boost
  • Savings: $20-$40/month in energy
  1. Professional Ductwork Sealing
  • Have us inspect ductwork for leaks
  • Seal with mastic/tape if leaks found
  • Cost: $500-$1,500
  • Payback: 3-8 months (from energy savings)

Lennox RTU vs. Competitors

Feature Lennox Amana Daikin Carrier
SEER Rating 15-18.5 15-17 18-20 18-19
Lifespan 15-20 15-18 18-20 16-20
Cold Weather Excellent Good Excellent Excellent
Parts Cost Low-Medium Low Medium-High High
Service Cost Low-Medium Low-Medium Medium Medium-High
Installed Cost $$ $$ $$-$$$ $$$
Best For Value + reliability Budget Efficiency Premium

Lennox RTU Upgrade Path

If Your Lennox is 12-15 Years Old

Consider upgrading to higher-efficiency model:
  • Current: SEER 15
  • New: SEER 18-20
  • Cost: $15,000-$25,000 installed
  • Energy savings: $2,000-$3,000/year
  • Payback: 5-12 years
  • Federal rebates available: $3,000-$5,000
Your existing unit probably: Still has 3-5 years life left, but efficiency declining  

Get Professional Lennox RTU Service

NEXT AIR LENNOX SERVICES:

Emergency repair 24/7 Quarterly maintenance plans ✓ Professional coil cleaning ✓ Efficiency assessments ✓ Upgrade consultations ✓ System design & installation (if replacing)
CALL NOW: (587) 329-8603  CONTACT US  EMERGENCY? 24/7 Available We’ve serviced more Lennox RTUs in Calgary than anyone else. You’re in good hands.

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