There has never been a better time for the application of commercial packaged rooftop systems. The strong U.S. economy is one reason. New construction in the commercial marketplace has increased steadily over the past few years, supporting a healthy growth pattern for rooftop air conditioning units.
Figure 1 (on page 34) shows the number of rooftops installed domestically over the past three years. In 1998 and 1999 alone, overall usage of packaged systems increased at a rate of 12% and 10%, respectively. Larger packaged systems, which are composed predominantly of rooftops, grew at an even higher rate of about 20% in 1998 and 1999 (source: ARI, 1999).
Some key underlying trends have driven growth of rooftops, and suggest that these units will remain a growth area over the next several years. National chain store development, changing U.S. population demographics, higher air quality standards, and new trends in system design have all contributed to a larger number of rooftop units installed at commercial locations everywhere.