Light commercial split systems fill the gap between standard residential equipment and full heavy-commercial RTUs. They're the right fit for buildings that already have indoor air handling infrastructure in place — or for applications where a packaged rooftop unit isn't practical — and they need more cooling capacity than a residential condenser can deliver.
Think small office buildings, medical suites, retail shops, restaurants, and light industrial spaces in the 1,500 to 5,000 square foot range. These buildings don't need a 20-ton rooftop unit, but they've outgrown what a 5-ton residential system can handle reliably under continuous commercial load.
Split System vs. Packaged Unit — Which Is Right for Your Building?
A packaged rooftop unit (RTU) combines everything — compressor, coils, blower — into one cabinet on the roof. A split system separates the condenser (outside) from the air handler (inside). Split systems are the better choice when:
- Your building already has an indoor air handler or fan coil unit you want to keep
- Roof loading or access makes RTU installation impractical
- You need more flexibility on where the outdoor unit is placed
- The indoor unit needs to be in a mechanical room, basement, or other interior space
If you're starting from scratch or replacing an existing rooftop unit, an RTU is usually simpler. If you have an existing split system infrastructure or specific placement constraints, a light commercial split condenser is the right path.
Cooling Only or Heat Pump?
We carry light commercial condensers in both configurations. Cooling-only condensers are the right call when your building already has a separate heating system — a gas furnace, boiler, or electric heat strip. Heat pump condensers handle both heating and cooling from a single outdoor unit, which makes sense in milder climates where a heat pump can handle the full heating load without backup heat, or wherever you want to reduce or eliminate gas usage.
Not sure which fits your building? Call us at 678-535-7176 — we can walk through your existing equipment and climate zone to point you in the right direction. Contractor and volume pricing is available through our B2B program.
Light Commercial Split AC Condensers — Cooling-Only, 3-Phase
Light commercial split AC condensers are designed for buildings that need more cooling capacity than residential equipment provides, but don't require a full packaged rooftop unit. These are cooling-only outdoor units — they pair with an existing indoor air handler or fan coil unit to deliver reliable, continuous cooling under the higher demands of commercial operation.
Common applications include small office buildings, retail suites, restaurants, medical offices, and light industrial spaces where a gas furnace, boiler, or electric heat is already handling the heating side and you just need to replace or add cooling capacity.
What Sets Light Commercial Apart From Residential Condensers
The key differences aren't just tonnage. Light commercial condensers are built to run longer daily operating hours, handle higher internal heat loads from occupancy and equipment, and connect to 3-phase power (208/230V or 460V) rather than the single-phase service most homes use. If your building has 3-phase service — which most commercial buildings do — these units are engineered for it. Running a commercial building on a residential condenser is a common and expensive mistake; the unit runs hotter, cycles harder, and wears out faster.
Before You Order
Confirm your building's power supply voltage (208/230V or 460V) and phase (3-phase) before purchasing. Also verify the tonnage and refrigerant type of your existing indoor unit to ensure compatibility with the new condenser. If you're replacing an existing unit, the specs are on the nameplate. If you're sizing a new installation, use 400–500 sq ft per ton as a starting estimate and adjust for occupancy, ceiling height, and climate zone.
Questions? Call 678-535-7176 or use our free estimate form — we'll confirm the right unit before you order. Volume and contractor pricing available through our B2B program.
Light Commercial Split Heat Pump Condensers — Heating & Cooling, 3-Phase
Light commercial heat pump condensers do the job of two systems in one outdoor unit — cooling in summer, heating in winter — by moving heat rather than generating it. For commercial buildings in moderate to warm climates, a heat pump is often the most cost-effective way to handle year-round comfort without running separate cooling and heating systems.
These units pair with an existing indoor air handler to serve small office buildings, retail spaces, medical suites, restaurants, and other light commercial applications that run continuous daily hours and require 3-phase power.
When a Heat Pump Makes Sense for Commercial Buildings
A heat pump is the right choice when your building doesn't have gas service, when you want to reduce or eliminate gas usage, or when your climate doesn't regularly see sustained temperatures below 30°F — the point at which most standard heat pumps need supplemental electric heat to keep up. In the Southeast, Southwest, and coastal markets, heat pumps handle the full heating load efficiently without backup heat for most of the season.
If your building is in a colder climate and already has a gas furnace handling heat, a cooling-only condenser is likely the simpler and more economical choice. Not sure which applies to your location? Call us — we can look at your climate zone and existing equipment and give you a straight answer.
Key Specs to Confirm Before Ordering
Check your building's power supply (208/230V or 460V, 3-phase) and verify the refrigerant type and tonnage of your existing indoor air handler before purchasing. Mismatched refrigerants between the indoor and outdoor unit are one of the most common and costly ordering mistakes in commercial HVAC. If you're sizing a new installation rather than replacing an existing unit, start at 1 ton per 400–500 sq ft and adjust for your specific load.
Call us at 678-535-7176 for compatibility questions or freight quotes. Contractor and volume pricing is available through our B2B program.
