How Much Is Commercial HVAC? Service Fees, Unit Prices, and the Key Differences from Standard HVAC

Commercial HVAC carries more weight than a thermostat setting. For a café on Sherman Way, a warehouse off Roscoe, or a multi-tenant office near De Soto Avenue, indoor comfort protects revenue. Employees work better. Food stays safe. Clients stay longer. The right system matters, and so does the price tag. This guide breaks down costs, service fees, and how commercial systems differ from residential units, with clear numbers and local perspective from Canoga Park and across the San Fernando Valley.

Season Control Heating & Air Conditioning serves businesses across Los Angeles, with frequent work in Canoga Park, West Hills, Winnetka, and Chatsworth. The team handles rooftop units that must run through August heat, ductwork changes during tenant improvements, and after-hours service calls when a restaurant’s dining room starts warming up at 6 p.m. Pricing below reflects what property managers and owners commonly see in Greater Los Angeles, then adjusts for actual site conditions.

What commercial HVAC really includes

Commercial HVAC covers heating, cooling, and ventilation for spaces with higher occupant loads, larger duct systems, and more complex controls than a typical home. Systems often mount on rooftops to save floor space and reduce noise. Airflow must reach even the corner office or the far end of a stockroom. Zoning is common, because a salon’s styling area runs hotter than its back office. Restaurants add outside air and grease-rated ventilation. Medical suites tie in advanced filtration. All of this changes design, equipment size, and cost.

Residential HVAC typically handles one to three zones with shorter duct runs and simpler control logic. A home might run a 3-ton split system. A small market on Vanowen Street might need a 10-ton packaged rooftop unit plus dedicated ventilation. The scale is different, and so are labor hours, crane needs, and permitting.

Service call fees and maintenance pricing in Los Angeles

Most commercial service calls in Los Angeles fall between $125 and $250 for the diagnostic visit during regular hours. That fee covers travel, initial testing, and a written estimate. Contractors bill repair labor separately, often $145 to $225 per hour for commercial techs, plus parts. After-hours and weekend calls run higher. A 7 p.m. Friday breakdown at a bar or a Saturday retail outage often costs 1.5x the standard rate.

Season Control’s commercial clients in Canoga Park often choose a maintenance plan because it lowers emergency risk during heat waves. Pricing depends on the number of units, tonnage, roof access, filtration type, and building hours. For a single 5 to 10-ton rooftop unit, expect $25 to $45 per ton per month for routine inspections, filter changes, and seasonal tune-ups, billed quarterly or annually. Multi-unit sites receive volume pricing. Buildings with extended hours or intensive dust loads, such as light manufacturing, need more frequent filter changes and coil cleaning, which adds to the monthly cost but saves on energy.

Repair costs vary by part. Common ranges in the LA market:

• Capacitors: $180 to $450 installed, depending on size and access.
• Contactors and relays: $220 to $500 installed.
• ECM or condenser fan motors: $600 to $1,200 installed.
• Compressors on 5 to 15-ton units: $2,400 to $6,800 installed, with wide variance based on refrigerant type and crane needs.

For rooftop work in Canoga Park, crane or boom-lift access can add $500 to $2,000. Tight alleys, power lines, and limited staging areas affect those logistics. Season Control often schedules lifts early morning to reduce street congestion and keep city permits simple.

Unit prices: packaged rooftop, split systems, VRF, and more

Entry costs depend on tonnage, brand tier, efficiency rating, and controls. In Los Angeles, many small commercial sites use packaged rooftop units (RTUs). Others use split systems or variable refrigerant flow (VRF) for zoning and quiet operation. Below are typical installed ranges for a straightforward swap in the Valley, assuming clear roof access and normal ductwork condition.

• Packaged rooftop units, 3 to 7.5 tons: $9,500 to $19,000 installed. Economizers and advanced controls shift costs upward.
• Larger RTUs, 10 to 20 tons: $18,000 to $45,000 installed. Multi-stage or high-efficiency units add several thousand dollars.
• Commercial split systems, 5 to 10 tons: $12,000 to $28,000 installed. Indoor air handlers mounted in mechanical rooms or above drop ceilings are common in offices and clinics.
• Heat pump RTUs, 3 to 10 tons: $11,000 to $25,000 installed. Good choice for buildings without gas service or where decarbonization goals drive design.
• VRF/VRV systems: $28,000 to $120,000+ installed for small to mid-size properties. These systems excel at zoning and partial load efficiency. They require careful design and skilled commissioning.
• Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) for ventilation: $14,000 to $60,000+, often added to meet ventilation codes in restaurants and medical spaces.

These ranges exclude major electrical upgrades, seismic curb changes, or full duct replacements. Los Angeles permitting and plan check fees can add from a few https://seasoncontrolhvac.com/service-area/commercial-hvac-services-los-angeles/ hundred dollars for straightforward change-outs to several thousand dollars for larger redesigns.

Why commercial costs outpace residential

A 4-ton home system in the Valley may land between $10,000 and $17,000 installed. Many owners compare that to a 7.5-ton RTU quote and wonder why the gap is so large. The answer often sits on the roof and in the code book. Commercial gear uses heavier frames, larger coils, and industrial-grade compressors. Controls integrate with building automation systems. Ventilation requires an economizer or outside-air setup to reach code airflow targets. Installers must secure curb adapters, maintain drainage on flat roofs, add seismic strapping, schedule a crane, and often coordinate with a property manager and tenants to reduce downtime. Every step adds labor and equipment cost that does not appear in a residential driveway.

The downtime risk is bigger as well. If a small bakery loses cooling during a 100-degree afternoon, product loss and walk-outs can exceed the repair bill. Reliable equipment and regular service reduce that risk, which is why facility managers treat maintenance as an operating cost rather than a discretionary spend.

What drives price on a rooftop unit swap

Two projects can use the same 10-ton model but vary by thousands of dollars. The differences usually show up in access, duct condition, controls, and city requirements. A basic change-out with a compatible curb adapter and sound duct trunks keeps costs down. If the duct insulation is failing or the return plenum is undersized, airflow drops and comfort suffers. Fixing that now avoids hot-cold spots and energy waste.

An anecdote from Canoga Park: a two-unit retail strip on Topanga Canyon Boulevard kept losing compressors every three years. The equipment itself was not the problem. An economizer with a failed damper motor stayed stuck open, pulling hot, humid outside air all summer. The units ran near full tilt to compensate. The fix cost less than a new compressor and brought energy use down. That is the sort of detail a thorough site inspection catches before pricing a swap.

Efficiency, rebates, and long-term math

High-efficiency commercial HVAC reduces monthly spend, especially for businesses with long hours. Utility rates in Los Angeles reward lower peak demand and steady operation. A two-stage or variable-speed RTU can cut run time during shoulder seasons. For an office that runs 10 hours a day, savings stack up quickly. Payback periods for stepping up from a base-efficiency 10-ton RTU to a higher-SEER/IEER model often sit in the 3 to 6 year range, depending on usage and rates.

Southern California utilities and air districts occasionally offer rebates for high-efficiency equipment, demand control ventilation, advanced economizers, or controls upgrades. Incentives change throughout the year. Season Control helps clients document existing conditions and submit rebate applications when available. In many cases, documentation needs pre-approval before installation, so timing the purchase matters.

How commercial differs from standard HVAC in design and operation

Tonnage and ductwork size make the most visible difference. The less obvious shift is in load diversity and controls. An office with glass frontage on Canoga Avenue bakes in the afternoon while interior rooms stay cool. Zoning and variable airflow smooth those swings. Commercial spaces also bring more outside air to meet ventilation codes. That means coils and compressors work harder in summer, and filtration must match the air volume.

Residential systems often rely on single-stage cooling with a simple thermostat. Commercial systems may include building automation, CO2-based demand control ventilation, and programmable schedules that shut down zones after hours. The hardware must handle frequent cycling and varying airflow without tripping safeties. That level of control calls for trained techs, which affects service rates and outcomes.

Permits, inspections, and the Los Angeles angle

Within the City and County of Los Angeles, most commercial HVAC replacements require mechanical permits. Rooftop work may need structural verification for curb adapters and seismic compliance. If electrical service changes or a new disconnect is required, electrical permits come into play. Restaurant ventilation improvements can trigger health and fire reviews. For Canoga Park properties, plan checks often route through the city, with added review if the building is older or has mixed use.

Season Control coordinates permits and inspections for commercial clients. A predictable timeline helps businesses schedule around the work. Many replacements occur early morning or over a weekend to reduce heat exposure during business hours.

Typical budgets by business type in Canoga Park

A single-bay retail unit with one 5 to 7.5-ton RTU usually budgets $11,000 to $18,000 for a change-out with minor curb work. A two-story office with three to six RTUs ranging from 5 to 12 tons may plan for $45,000 to $120,000 across phased replacements. Restaurants vary widely. A small dining room with a 10-ton RTU plus a separate make-up air unit and kitchen exhaust upgrades can exceed $35,000 to $80,000 when ventilation is folded into the project. Medical suites often run higher due to filtration and zoning needs.

These budgets assume straightforward access in Canoga Park. If the building requires a street closure for a large crane or the ducts need extensive remediation, costs rise. A site visit reveals these variables early, which prevents change orders and last-minute surprises.

Repair versus replace: a practical threshold

Commercial compressors and heat exchangers tell the story. If a 12-year-old unit needs a major compressor or heat exchanger, and the cabinet shows corrosion or coil damage, replacement often serves the business better than sinking money into a failing platform. A rule many facility managers use is the 50 percent threshold: if a repair costs more than half of replacement and the unit is past half its expected life, replacement deserves a hard look.

That said, a five-year-old RTU with a failed ECM motor or bad board is a repair. Parts availability matters too. Older R-22 equipment becomes harder to justify once a major component fails, due to refrigerant cost and performance loss. Season Control shares side-by-side numbers so owners can weigh short-term cash against long-term stability.

What maintenance really saves

Dust from nearby construction on Sherman Way, kitchen grease mist, and cottonwood fluff all clog coils. Pressures rise. Energy use climbs. Regular coil cleaning and filter changes deliver real savings, often trimming 5 to 15 percent off cooling costs. Catching small issues, such as a pitted contactor or a loose economizer linkage, prevents bigger failures. For a retailer in Canoga Park, that might be the difference between a quiet week and a Friday night outage.

Maintenance also protects warranties. Many manufacturers require documented service at set intervals. A good log shows what was checked, what was cleaned, static pressure readings, and refrigerant charge status. Season Control provides these records, which helps during resale, lease negotiations, or insurance claims.

What to expect during a commercial HVAC replacement

The process starts with a load review and a site survey. The technician measures existing airflow, checks duct sizes, inspects the curb, and verifies electrical capacity. From there, the team selects equipment that fits the footprint or plans a curb adapter. Once permits are ready, a crane day is scheduled. Old equipment comes down, the new unit goes up, and connections are made. Controls are wired and programmed. Fans and compressors are started, then pressures, temperatures, and airflow are dialed in. A final inspection with the city closes the permit.

For a single RTU in Canoga Park with good access, most change-outs wrap in one day. Multi-unit buildings may take several days with staggered downtime per zone. Season Control coordinates with tenants to keep disruption low.

Seasonal timing and Los Angeles weather

Most property managers schedule replacements in spring or fall. Lead times tend to be shorter, and crane schedules are easier. Emergency swaps in August happen, but they compete with other urgent calls and may cost more. Filter upgrades and coil cleaning right before summer prevent nuisance lockouts when afternoon temperatures jump over 100 degrees. For businesses along Vanowen or De Soto, those hours matter.

Building controls and energy management

Even a basic two-stage RTU benefits from smart controls. A programmable thermostat with lockout setpoints stops overcooling in the morning. Demand control ventilation cuts outside air when occupancy drops, which lowers load during peak rates. For larger buildings, a simple cloud-based building management system tracks run times and alerts for abnormal cycles. Many facilities in Canoga Park add temperature sensors in critical zones, such as server closets or product storage, to trigger a service call before a warm-up affects inventory.

Controls add upfront cost but pay back through lower energy and fewer emergency calls. The right choice depends on building size, tenant turnover, and maintenance staff involvement.

Air quality and ventilation in commercial spaces

Post-pandemic standards pushed ventilation and filtration into sharper focus. Offices and clinics in Los Angeles often request MERV 13 filters. Higher MERV ratings increase static pressure, so fan capacity and coil cleanliness become important to maintain airflow. Dedicated outdoor air systems allow precise ventilation control without overloading cooling coils. For restaurants, kitchen exhaust and make-up air must balance, or the dining room doors will fight a pressure differential and the AC will struggle. Season Control tests static pressure and airflow to keep comfort steady and equipment within spec.

How Season Control approaches commercial HVAC in Los Angeles

Commercial HVAC thrives on predictability. The company’s process starts with load and airflow data, not guesswork. For Canoga Park and nearby neighborhoods, the team knows which rooftops need crane permits and which alleys can fit a boom. They flag duct issues early, price curb adapters accurately, and schedule inspections so tenants can plan shifts. Maintenance plans cover coil cleaning, belt tension, filter schedules, economizer checks, and documentation that keeps warranties valid.

The service model fits real business hours. Many calls book early morning to protect lunch and afternoon traffic. For emergency repairs, parts access matters. The team stocks common boards, contactors, motors, and capacitors for 5 to 15-ton units used across the Valley.

Budgeting and next steps for property owners and managers

For a quick planning number, most small commercial sites in Canoga Park set aside $2 to $3 per square foot over a five-year horizon for HVAC maintenance and replacements, adjusting for system age and operating hours. That figure gets refined during a site assessment. If equipment is within five years of end-of-life, a phased plan prevents large single-year hits. Aligning replacements with lease renewal dates can also support tenant retention and NOI stability.

If a quote feels high or low, compare scope. Look for crane costs, curb adapter notes, controls integration, economizer setup, and permit handling. Ask for a startup report with refrigerant pressures, temperature splits, superheat and subcooling, and static pressure readings. Those details show the system is running within spec.

Local, practical help in Canoga Park

Commercial HVAC services in Los Angeles benefit from local experience. Canoga Park roofs vary in access and age. Some curbs need reinforcement. Some electrical disconnects need replacement. A quick onsite visit prevents surprises. Season Control Heating & Air Conditioning stands behind clear proposals, accurate timelines, and steady service before peak heat arrives.

If a unit is cycling, running loud, or struggling after 3 p.m., schedule a diagnostic. If the system is over 12 years old, request a replacement estimate and a maintenance plan quote. For property managers with multiple sites, ask about multi-location pricing and coordinated service windows.

Ready to stabilize comfort and costs? Contact Season Control Heating & Air Conditioning for commercial HVAC services in Los Angeles, including Canoga Park, West Hills, Winnetka, and Chatsworth. Book a service call, request a maintenance plan, or schedule a replacement assessment today.