Amana Commercial Rooftop Units: Expert Calgary Service & Maintenance
Amana is a trusted brand for reliable commercial HVAC equipment. If your business relies on an Amana rooftop unit, you need a technician who understands the system inside and out.
At Next Air, we’re certified to service and repair Amana commercial rooftop units across Calgary. This guide covers everything you need to know about keeping your Amana RTU running efficiently.
At Next Air, we’re certified to service and repair Amana commercial rooftop units across Calgary. This guide covers everything you need to know about keeping your Amana RTU running efficiently.
FAST FACTS: Amana Commercial RTUs
- Most Popular Size: 3-5 ton units for medium commercial buildings
- Expected Lifespan: 15-20 years with proper maintenance
- Average Efficiency (SEER): 15-17 (solid mid-range)
- Typical Installed Cost: $8,000-$15,000 for medium unit
- Annual Maintenance Cost: $300-$600 per service (4 times/year = $1,200-$2,400)
- Common Issues: Refrigerant leaks (30%), dirty coils (25%), electrical (25%), other (20%)
- Next Air Response: 1-2 hours for emergency repair
Why Choose Amana for Commercial RTUs?
Strengths of Amana Equipment
- Reliability
- Proven track record in commercial HVAC
- Build quality for harsh outdoor conditions
- Parts availability good (most HVAC suppliers stock Amana)
- Cost-Effective
- Lower price point than Carrier, close to Lennox
- Good value for the efficiency level
- ROI reasonable for most businesses
- Performance in Calgary Climate
- Designed for cold weather operation
- Compressor can start reliably in -30°C
- Built for extremes (wind, temperature swings)
- Easy Serviceability
- Technician-friendly design
- Standard components (easier to diagnose)
- Good documentation/schematics available
Common Amana RTU Models
- Amana PGH Series – Popular, reliable mid-range
- Amana PTH Series – High-efficiency rooftop heat pump
- Amana PTC Series – Professional cooling units
Maintenance Schedule for Amana RTUs
Monthly Tasks (DIY)
Visual Inspection (10 minutes)
- Look at outdoor unit from ground level
- Check for obvious debris (leaves, dirt)
- Listen for unusual noises
- Check for water pooling beneath unit
- Remove leaves/debris around unit
- Use low-pressure hose to rinse dirt from condenser fins
- Keep area clear (18 inches minimum around all sides)
Quarterly Professional Service
What We Check:
- Refrigerant pressure and charge
- Electrical connections and voltage
- Filter replacement
- Coil condition (visual)
- System performance test
- Ductwork inspection
Annual Deep Service
What We Do:
Total Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,800-$2,400 Benefit: Prevents 80% of potential breakdowns, extends system life 5-8 years
- Professional coil cleaning (chemical + pressure wash)
- Full ductwork inspection
- Thermostat calibration
- Safety inspection (electrical, gas pressure)
- Detailed performance report with photos
Total Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,800-$2,400 Benefit: Prevents 80% of potential breakdowns, extends system life 5-8 years
Common Amana RTU Issues & Solutions
Issue #1: Not Cooling Efficiently
Symptoms:
- System running but not reaching setpoint temperature
- Building stays 5-10°F warmer than setpoint
- Dirty condenser coil (40%)
- Low refrigerant charge (30%)
- Clogged filter (20%)
- Thermostat miscalibration (10%)
- Check filter (is it gray/dirty?)
- Look at outdoor unit (can you see dirt on coil?)
- Check thermostat setting (is it in COOL mode?)
Issue #2: Refrigerant Leaks
Symptoms:
- System runs but doesn’t cool well
- Hissing sound from outdoor unit
- Oil staining around connections
- Frost on outdoor unit (in summer = bad sign)
- Connection corrosion (common in high-elevation Calgary)
- Wear on seals over time
- Installation error (rare but happens)
- Call us immediately (don’t delay)
- We find leak location, seal it, recharge refrigerant
- Cost: $500-$2,000 depending on leak size/location
- Quarterly maintenance catches small leaks early
- Early detection saves $$$ on repair costs
Issue #3: Electrical Problems
Symptoms:
- Unit won’t turn on (no power)
- Breaker tripping repeatedly
- System cycles on/off rapidly
- Burnt smell from unit
- Bad contactor (relay)
- Compressor electrical failure
- Capacitor failure
- Wiring issue
- Check breaker (is it OFF or middle position?)
- If breaker is OFF: Flip to ON, wait 5 minutes, try again
- If breaker trips again: STOP. Call us
- If unit smells burnt: STOP. Evacuate. Call emergency
Issue #4: Compressor Not Running
Symptoms:
- Outdoor unit fan running but compressor silent
- System blowing room temperature air
- Low refrigerant (safety lockout)
- Compressor electrical issue
- Compressor mechanically failed
- Capacitor failure (common, inexpensive fix)
- Capacitor replacement: $200-$400
- Compressor replacement: $2,500-$5,000
Energy Efficiency Tips for Amana RTUs
Quick Wins (This Week)
- Smart Thermostat Setpoints
- Winter: 68-70°F during business hours, 62-65°F after hours
- Summer: 76-78°F during business hours, 82°F after hours
- Savings: 3-5% per degree adjustment = $100-$300/month
- Filter Changes
- Change filters monthly (or when gray/dirty)
- Clogged filter = 30-40% harder system work
- Cost: $15-$40 per filter
- Savings: $100-$200/month in electricity
- Condenser Cleaning
- DIY monthly (blow off debris)
- Professional annual deep clean ($200-$400)
- Clean coils = 10-20% better efficiency
Bigger Upgrades (3-6 months)
- Upgrade to High-Efficiency Amana RTU
- Current: SEER 15-17
- High-efficiency: SEER 18-20
- Cost: Equipment upgrade $15,000-$25,000
- Savings: $2,000-$3,000/year in energy
- Payback: 5-12 years
- Plus federal rebates available: $3,000-$5,000
When to Replace vs. Repair Amana RTUs
Keep Your Current Unit If:
- System is less than 12 years old
- Last repair cost less than $2,000
- Energy bills not unusually high
- Repairs are infrequent (less than 1/year)
Consider Replacement If:
- System is 15+ years old
- Last repair cost more than $3,000
- Energy bills significantly higher than similar buildings
- Repairs needed more than once per year
- Compressor has failed (repair cost = $2,500-$5,000)
Amana RTU vs. Competitor Comparison
| Feature | Amana | Lennox | Carrier | Daikin |
| SEER Rating | 15-17 | 15-18.5 | 18-19 | 18-19.5 |
| Cold Weather | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Parts Cost | $ | $ | $$ | $$ |
| Service Availability | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Growing |
| Installed Cost | $$ | $$-$$$ | $$$ | $$-$$$ |
| Best For | Value-conscious | Balance | Premium quality | Efficiency-focused |
Get Professional Amana RTU Service
NEXT AIR AMANA RTU SERVICES:
✓ Emergency repair (24/7) ✓ Preventative maintenance plans ✓ Professional coil cleaning ✓ Efficiency assessment ✓ System replacement consultation
CALL NOW: (587) 329-8603 CONTACT US EMERGENCY? 24/7 Available We serve Calgary and all surrounding areas.
CALL NOW: (587) 329-8603 CONTACT US EMERGENCY? 24/7 Available We serve Calgary and all surrounding areas.