5 Most Common Types of HVAC Systems for Commercial Buildings (With Pros and Cons)

When your building’s heating or cooling system fails, everything is affected. Employees feel uncomfortable, customers leave sooner, and your energy bills climb fast. 

In commercial spaces, where comfort and air quality directly impact productivity and customer experience, having the right HVAC system is essential.

This article breaks down the five most common HVAC systems for commercial buildings, which are: Single-Split, Multi-Split, VAV, VRF, and Packaged Rooftop Units. 

You’ll learn how each system works, its pros and cons, and which situations they’re best suited for.

Key Takeaways

Why Choosing the Right HVAC System Matters

As much as an HVAC system brings comfort, that is not all there is to selecting the right  commercial building HVAC systems. Here are a few reasons why choosing the right HVAC system matters:

1. Energy Efficiency and Cost Control: HVAC systems account for a large portion of a building’s energy consumption. Choosing the right system can reduce utility bills by 20–40% compared to inefficient setups. 

2. Comfort and Productivity: Selecting a system that aligns with your building’s size, layout, and usage patterns ensures consistent comfort throughout all zones.

3. Indoor Air Quality: HVAC systems don’t just heat or cool a space; they also ventilate and filter the air, removing dust, allergens, and pollutants. A well-designed system continuously exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, improving comfort and health. 

4. Maintenance and Longevity: An undersized or overworked system often operates at maximum capacity, leading to frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. 

5. Regulatory and Environmental Compliance: There are energy-efficiency standards and green building codes. HVAC systems must comply to avoid legal penalties and future retrofits.

5 Most Common Types of HVAC Systems for Commercial Buildings

Before purchasing and installing an HVAC system, it is crucial to understand each one thoroughly. Here are the five most common types of commercial buildings HVAC systems, explained:

1. Single-Split Systems

A single-split system is relatively the simplest type of HVAC setup. It’s perfect for small offices, boutiques, or retail stores. 

Its structure is simple: The Goodman 2.5 Ton System, for example, has one indoor unit (usually mounted on the wall or ceiling) that blows cool or warm air into the room.

How it works:

This unit is connected to one outdoor unit, called the condenser, through insulated pipes. These pipes, known as refrigerant lines, carry a special fluid (the refrigerant) that transfers heat in or out of your space, cooling it in the summer and heating it in the winter.

At HVAC Store, we stock a variety of single-split HVAC systems, which is the conventional, widely used setup for central air conditioning in homes. They are from renowned makers such as Goodman, Aciq, Daikin, Mr Cool, and Reznor.

2. Multi‑Split Systems

When you want to cool or heat more than one room independently with mini-splits, you use a multi-split (sometimes referred to as a multi-zone mini-split) system.

A multi-split system is simply an expansion of the single-split system concept for buildings with multiple rooms, such as restaurants, clinics, or office suites. 

Its structure is flexible. It connects one outdoor unit to several indoor units, and there are even up to six-zone mini-split systems.

How it works: 

Each indoor unit can be controlled independently, allowing you to keep the conference room cool while maintaining a comfortable temperature in private offices, without wasting energy on unused spaces. 

These units are linked to the outdoor condenser via refrigerant lines, allowing heat to move in or out as needed for commercial air conditioning or heating.

VAV systems primarily control airflow volume, while temperature control typically comes from additional heating or cooling sources.

3. Variable Air Volume (VAV) Systems

A VAV system is an excellent choice for large commercial buildings, such as office complexes, hospitals, or schools, and its structure is designed for flexibility. 

How it works: 

It utilizes an air handling unit (AHU) to draw in fresh outdoor air, filter it, and distribute it through ducts throughout the building.

What makes it different is that it varies the volume of air sent to each zone, rather than blasting a constant flow. So, if one room gets warmer because it’s crowded, the system sends more cool air there, while reducing airflow in empty spaces. 

This approach saves energy without sacrificing comfort.

4. Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)/ VRV Systems

VRF systems are designed for hotels, large office buildings, and multi-use complexes where comfort and efficiency need to coexist. 

Unlike traditional systems that operate at full capacity, VRF systems deliver precise temperature control by regulating the amount of refrigerant flowing to each indoor unit. This means you can heat a boardroom on one floor while cooling a lobby on another—at the same time.

How it works:

It uses inverter-driven compressors that speed up or slow down based on demand, so the system only works as hard as necessary. 

This smart modulation translates into lower energy bills, quieter operation, and extended equipment life compared to standard HVAC setups.

5. Packaged Rooftop Units (RTUs)

RTUs are the workhorses of large retail stores, warehouses, and office buildings because they pack the entire HVAC system, including compressor, condenser, and air handler, into one weatherproof unit mounted on the roof. 

This design keeps equipment out of the way, saves indoor space, and makes servicing easier without disrupting daily operations.

How it works: 

Air is drawn into the rooftop unit, conditioned (heated or cooled), and then distributed through ductwork across the building. 

Many models also support economizers, which bring in fresh outdoor air when conditions are right, cutting energy costs.

How to Choose the Best HVAC System for Your Commercial Building 

Selecting an HVAC system is a strategic decision that impacts your energy bills, occupant comfort, and maintenance costs for years to come. While it’s ultimately better to talk with an HVAC technician about your needs,  here’s a detailed guide on how to make the right choice:

1. Calculate Building Size and Load Requirements

Before selecting an HVAC system, determine the heating and cooling requirements of your building. This is referred to as the load requirement, which represents the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature in your space throughout the year.

This load is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), a standard unit for measuring heating and cooling capacity. The larger your space or the more people and equipment you have, the more BTUs you’ll need.

For commercial buildings' HVAC systems, a general rule of thumb is: 25–30 BTUs per square foot for cooling, and 30–60 BTUs per square foot for heating.

If your system is too small, it will run constantly and still fail to maintain a comfortable temperature in the building. If it is too large, it will waste energy and increase your costs.

QUICK TIP:

• If you are unsure how to calculate it, you can have a professional perform the load calculation for you.

2. Consider Your Building Layout and Zones

Your building’s layout also affects the type of HVAC system you need. A single large, open area, such as a warehouse or retail floor, can often be served by a single system because air moves freely across the space.

In this case, a Packaged Rooftop Unit (RTU) is the best option, as it combines heating, cooling, and ventilation in one system, mounted on the roof.

However, if your building has multiple rooms, floors, or areas that are used differently throughout the day, you’ll need a system that supports zoning. 

For example, a Multi-Split system or a VRF system lets you control temperatures in each zone independently, so you don’t waste energy cooling empty spaces while keeping occupied areas comfortable.

3. Factor in Local Climate

Your local climate plays a significant role in choosing the right HVAC system. In hot and humid areas like Miami, Florida, you need strong cooling and humidity control. Systems such as VRF setups or Packaged Rooftop Units (RTUs) are excellent because they provide efficient cooling and ventilation while effectively managing moisture.

In cold regions like Minneapolis, Minnesota, heating reliability is critical. Here, a heat pump combined with a gas furnace works best, ensuring steady warmth even when temperatures drop below freezing. Another option is a Packaged Gas/Electric Unit, which combines both heating and cooling in one system for convenience. 

For cities with mild or mixed climates, such as Seattle or Atlanta, flexibility is key. These areas experience warm summers and cool winters, making systems like VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) or VAV (Variable Air Volume) ideal, as they can switch between heating and cooling as needed and adjust performance throughout the day to achieve energy savings.

4. Maintenance and Access

After installation, you will need to maintain your HVAC system. Single-split systems are generally simple to service and repair, but they aren’t ideal for large buildings because you’d need several units to cover the space.

Packaged rooftop units (RTUs) offer an advantage for larger facilities because all components are housed in a single, roof-mounted cabinet, making them easy to access without disrupting business operations.

On the other hand, VRF systems require specialized technicians and close monitoring due to their advanced technology. However, when installed correctly, they are very reliable and have fewer breakdowns, which can reduce long-term maintenance issues.

5. Budget vs. Long-Term ROI

When choosing a system, while your budget will influence the type and size you go for, consider the investment and the long-term and high ROI. 

Single-split systems have the lowest upfront cost, followed by packaged RTUs, while VAV and VRF systems are more expensive to install.

However, energy efficiency can make a big difference over time. VRF and VAV systems save approximately 30% more energy than traditional setups, resulting in lower utility bills over time.

If you plan to occupy the building for several years, investing in an energy-efficient system often pays off, even if the upfront cost is higher.

Final Note

Choosing the right for your commercial building HVAC systems isn’t just about picking the most popular option. It’s about selecting the one that fits your building’s size, layout, climate, and long-term plans.

At HVAC Store, we offer a wide range of HVAC systems, with free shipping on most products. Whether you're upgrading or starting from scratch, you can find something that suits your needs.