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Commercial HVAC Replacement & Installation

Commercial HVAC replacement and installation in Hampton Roads.

New rooftop units, split systems, and VAV or VRF systems, sized by load calculation rather than the old unit’s nameplate. We handle the design, permits, crane, and installation, then balance the system so it performs the way it was specified, with the work scheduled around your business.

  • Serving Hampton Roads since 2003
  • 20+ years experience
  • Master HVAC licensed
  • Master Gas licensed
  • Class A contractor
  • Financing available

Before you replace anything

Find out if the whole system needs replacing.

Commercial replacement quotes have a way of growing. One rooftop unit fails, and the proposal that comes back covers every unit on the roof. Sometimes that’s right, since equipment installed together often ages together. Often it isn’t, and the other units have years left with proper maintenance.

We look at each unit on its own: age, condition, refrigerant, repair history, and how hard it’s been working. Then we tell you which units need replacing now, which can wait, and which just need service. If you’re replacing in phases, we’ll help you plan the order.

Not sure it’s finished? Commercial HVAC Service & Maintenance

What we install

Commercial systems we install.

  1. Rooftop units

    Packaged rooftop equipment, replaced on existing curbs with adapters where needed or set on new curbs.

  2. Split systems

    Condensing units and air handlers for offices, retail, and tenant spaces.

  3. VAV systems

    Variable air volume systems that condition multiple zones from central equipment.

  4. VRF systems

    Variable refrigerant flow systems for buildings that need many zones with independent control.

  5. Unit heaters

    Gas and electric heaters for warehouses, shops, and open industrial space.

Install path

Replace it as it was or redesign it?

Most commercial replacements are straightforward: a new unit of the right capacity on the existing curb, connected to the existing ductwork. But buildings change. Tenants change, kitchens get added, occupancy goes up, walls move, and equipment sized for how the building was used fifteen years ago may not fit how it’s used now.

  • Ductman HVAC technician checking the electrical panel of a rooftop unit

    Building hasn’t changed

    Direct replacement

    New equipment on the existing curb and connections, with capacity confirmed by load calculation rather than copied from the nameplate. The fastest path, and the right one when the building and its use haven’t changed.

  • Ductman HVAC technicians preparing a roof curb for a new unit

    Building has outgrown it

    Redesign the system

    When the load calculation shows the building has outgrown its system, or zoning no longer matches how the space is used. Different capacity, added zones, or a different system type entirely.

What’s included

What’s included in every commercial installation.

From the first load calculation to the final balance report, the whole job is ours, not split between a designer, an installer, and a gas sub who’ve never met.

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  • Load calculation and design

    Capacity and zoning calculated for the building as it’s used today.

  • Permits and coordination

    Permits pulled, inspections scheduled, and coordination with landlords, property managers, and other trades.

  • Crane and rigging

    Crane time scheduled and rooftop access planned, including after-hours lifts where needed.

  • Curbs and structural

    Curb adapters for existing openings, or new curbs where equipment changes.

  • Gas, electrical, and controls

    Gas connections under our own Master Gas Fitter license, electrical coordination, and controls integrated with what you already have.

  • Startup and air balancing

    Every unit started, verified, and the system balanced so each space gets the air it was designed for.

  • Master HVAC licensed
  • Master Gas licensed
  • Commercial load calculations
  • Air balancing

How we design

Sized for how the building is used today.

A lot of commercial replacements are ordered by reading the nameplate on the old unit and buying the same tonnage. That’s fast, but it assumes nothing about the building has changed and that the original unit was sized right in the first place.

We run a load calculation on the space as it’s used today: occupancy, equipment, glass, insulation, and the hours the building actually runs. Then we confirm the ductwork can deliver it. After installation, we balance the system and measure airflow at the diffusers, so each space gets what it was designed for rather than whatever happens to reach it.

It’s the difference between new equipment and a system that works.

Ductman HVAC technicians setting a commercial unit on its curb

Our Process

How a commercial installation works.

Clear scope, no surprise charges, and work scheduled around your business.

Before we order anything

  1. We survey and calculate

    Existing equipment, curbs, ductwork, electrical, and gas assessed, and a load calculation run for the space as it’s used today.

  2. We plan the job

    Permits, crane, equipment lead times, and work hours coordinated with you, your landlord, or your property manager.

Installation

  1. We remove and set

    Old equipment removed and disposed of properly, refrigerant recovered, and new equipment set and secured.

  2. We connect and start up

    Gas, electrical, ductwork, condensate, and controls connected, then every unit started and verified.

Before we turn it over

  1. We balance the system

    Airflow measured and adjusted so each space gets what it was designed for.

  2. We document and hand off

    Startup readings, balance report, warranty registration, and a walkthrough with whoever runs the building.

Replacement cost, plainly

What actually drives the cost of a commercial replacement.

The equipment is only part of a commercial replacement. Two rooftop units of the same tonnage can cost very different amounts to replace, depending on what surrounds them.

The biggest variables are access and structure: whether a crane is needed and how big, whether the new unit fits the old curb or needs an adapter or a new curb, and whether the roof can carry it. Then the connections: whether the electrical service and gas line are sized for the new equipment, and whether the ductwork can deliver what it produces. Then timing: after-hours work, lead times on equipment, and whether the job is planned or an emergency.

That’s why we survey before we quote. A number given over the phone has to guess at every one of those, and the guesses tend to show up later as change orders.

Replacing more than one unit?

You don’t have to replace everything at once. We’ll rank every unit by condition and plan replacements across your budget cycles, so the worst equipment goes first and nothing turns into an emergency.

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Testimonials

Hear from our customers.

  • Mike was very professional and thorough throughout the entire process. Haven’t felt with any HVAC service before Ductman and will never choose anything else now. Thank you for a great experience.

    Robert Clark Google review
  • Everyone was respectful, a pleasure to work with, and they got the job done in a timely fashion with a great quality of work. My house heats even better now than before. 10/10 I absolutely recommend them.

    James Maurmeier Google review
  • Furnace went out on what seems like the coldest day so far this year. Chris answered our call and promptly sent out a technician to review the issue and provide an estimate. They were able to order and install the part quickly for a reasonable price. I would definitely call them again if we had another HVAC issue.

    Charisse Google review

Our Work

Recent work

View our work

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much does a commercial rooftop unit replacement cost?

It depends on capacity, access, crane requirements, curb compatibility, electrical and gas capacity, and timing. We survey the site before quoting so the number reflects the actual job.

Can you install after hours so we stay open?

We schedule the work around your business, and crane time and rooftop access are planned in advance, including after-hours lifts where needed.

Do we need to replace all our units at once?

No. We look at each unit on its own and tell you which need replacing now, which can wait, and which just need service. We’ll rank them by condition and plan replacements across your budget cycles.

Do you handle permits and the crane?

Yes. We pull permits, schedule inspections, and book the crane and rooftop access as part of the job.

What is air balancing, and do we need it?

After installation we measure airflow at the diffusers and adjust the system, so each space gets the air it was designed for rather than whatever happens to reach it. It’s included in every commercial installation.

Do you install VRF systems?

Yes. Variable refrigerant flow systems for buildings that need many zones with independent control.

Do you do the gas work?

Yes. Gas connections are made under our own Master Gas Fitter license.

Get Started

Let’s look at what you’ve got.

Tell us about the building and the equipment. We’ll survey it, run the numbers, and give you a replacement plan that fits your building, your budget, and your hours.

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