Choosing the Right Commercial Cooling System for Your Building

Selecting the best commercial cooling solutions for your facility starts with understanding how different systems perform and what they are designed to handle. From small offices to large industrial plants, the right system depends on building size, cooling load, and daily usage.

Rooftop Units (RTUs)

Rooftop units are common in retail spaces, restaurants, and mid-sized commercial buildings. They are self-contained, relatively easy to service, and ideal for facilities needing consistent cooling without complex infrastructure. RTUs work well when roof space is available and cooling demands are moderate.

Chillers

Chillers are designed for large buildings and campuses with heavy cooling loads—such as hospitals, universities, and manufacturing facilities. They circulate chilled water throughout the building and offer excellent efficiency for long runtime environments. Though they require a higher upfront investment, chillers deliver reliable cooling at scale.

Cooling Towers

Cooling towers often work in tandem with chillers to remove heat from the system. They are essential in industrial facilities, data centers, and high‑rise buildings where process loads and internal heat generation are significant. Cooling towers help increase efficiency but require proper water treatment and maintenance.

CRAC Units

Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units are engineered specifically for data centers and server rooms. They provide precise temperature and humidity control, protecting sensitive equipment from overheating. For facilities with mission‑critical IT infrastructure, CRAC units offer unmatched reliability.

Choosing the right setup comes down to understanding your building’s unique needs. Factors like square footage, occupancy, ventilation requirements, and internal heat generation all influence the best path forward. Our guidance ties directly into the system evaluations we outline on our Cooling Solutions pillar page.

If you want expert help selecting the right system for your facility, request a cooling systems assessment today.