Commercial HVAC installation and retrofits in the Bay Area. Esquives installs rooftop units, VRF systems, and ductwork built to Title 24 energy standards.
Choose rooftop units (RTUs) for low- to mid-rise buildings and shopping centers where self-contained, space-efficient equipment is preferred; choose split systems for smaller spaces, buildings with limited roof access, or where equipment noise or aesthetics require indoor placement. RTUs are generally easier to service since all components are in one location, while split systems offer more installation flexibility for complex interior layouts. We evaluate your building's structure, existing mechanical infrastructure, and energy goals before recommending either system.
Zoning divides your HVAC system into separate areas with independent controls, so different tenants or rooms can maintain their own temperature without fighting each other. In multi-tenant buildings in San Jose, Morgan Hill, and across California, proper zoning can reduce energy costs and tenant complaints. We can design or retrofit ductwork, controls, and equipment to create sensible zones for your layout.
Title 24 sets energy efficiency standards for buildings in California, including requirements for equipment efficiency, controls, duct sealing, and ventilation. When we replace or install commercial HVAC, we have to comply with these standards and may need HERS or other verifications depending on the project. We design systems with Title 24 in mind so your project passes plan review and inspection.
Once equipment is on-site and permits are ready, a straightforward RTU replacement can often be completed in 1–2 days, including crane work and tie-ins. More complex projects with structural upgrades, new curbs, or control changes can take longer. We’ll provide a timeline in advance and coordinate crane and shutdown times to minimize disruption to your tenants.
We coordinate crane day and the changeover timeline with property management 48–72 hours in advance, give tenants a clear outage window, and execute as quickly as conditions allow—most single-RTU swaps run 4–6 hours from disconnect to startup. We schedule changeovers early morning on weekdays or over weekends when occupancy is lowest. For server rooms, medical suites, and food service spaces where any thermal excursion is unacceptable, we pre-cool the space before the shutdown begins and position portable cooling equipment on standby with someone monitoring temperature throughout the changeover. Buildings with multiple RTUs are serviced one zone at a time so no tenant loses all climate control simultaneously. We notify, plan carefully, and restore conditions before leaving the site.
A twice-yearly schedule forms a solid baseline—a cooling-season tune-up in spring and a heating check in fall. For Bay Area commercial buildings, we also recommend annual coil cleaning and economizer operation testing; mild temperatures keep economizers running nearly year-round, and coastal moisture and particulates cause coil fouling that's easy to miss until efficiency drops noticeably. Mission-critical environments like server rooms, medical suites, and commercial kitchens typically need quarterly checks because equipment runs harder and unplanned downtime is significantly more costly than preventive service.
Yes, we offer commercial HVAC preventive maintenance plans tailored to your building's equipment and usage — covering filter changes, belt checks, coil cleaning, and scheduled performance checks throughout the year. Regular maintenance is especially important for older equipment or high-occupancy buildings where breakdowns during peak hours are disruptive and costly. We can structure the plan around your operating schedule and provide service documentation for warranty and compliance records.
If your units are older (often 15+ years), have frequent breakdowns, use outdated refrigerants, or are significantly undersized or oversized, replacement may be more cost-effective long-term. In California, new systems are also more efficient and better aligned with Title 24 and current refrigerant standards. We can compare repair costs versus replacement and help you decide what makes sense for your building and tenants.
Esquives General Contractors · Morgan Hill, CA · (408) 809-1212 · sales@esquivescontractors.com · Mon–Fri 6:00am–5:00pm, Sat 6:00am–2:00pm · CSLB License #1056641 · Licensed, bonded & insured.