- Critical systems
- Rooftop units, common-area air handling units, chillers and cooling towers, tenant VRF/fan coil systems, car park exhaust
- Maintenance frequency
- Seasonal maintenance and regular filter changes for rooftop units and air handling units; comprehensive pre-season maintenance for chillers and cooling towers
- Key risks
- Dirty condenser and high-pressure fault, insufficient fresh air, stratification in the atrium, car park ventilation failure
- Working hours
- Outside business hours in common areas and central systems; in tenant areas, planned together with management and the tenant
- OHS
- Planned access with safety measures for roof and work-at-height tasks
HVAC in shopping mall facilities
In a shopping mall, air conditioning is generally divided into common areas and tenant areas. Galleries, corridors and atriums are conditioned by high-airflow air handling units or rooftop units placed on the roof. Stores are cooled by fan coils or air handling units fed from the central chiller line, or by each tenant's own VRF/split system. Sections such as the cinema, food court and supermarket have different loads and operating hours, which complicates control and maintenance planning. Because tenant systems differ in brand and age, the maintenance plan needs to be kept unit by unit.
The load profile is the most distinctive feature of shopping malls. When visitor numbers rise on weekends and evenings, both sensible and latent heat loads increase, and the fresh air requirement grows with the number of people. In systems that adjust fresh air according to carbon dioxide sensors, sensor calibration and damper checks are important. In atriums with large glass roofs, solar load and stratification can cause temperature complaints on the upper floors in summer. A system that falls short at peak hours is often the result of maintenance not done before the season.
Rooftop units operate fully exposed to the outdoors on the roof. In continental climates like Ankara, with high dust and pollen loads and hot, dry summers, condenser coils get dirty quickly, leading to high-pressure faults and loss of efficiency. For this reason, condenser cleaning, filter replacement, belt and fan checks should be done before summer, and heating section and freeze protection checks before winter. Access to rooftop units is planned with OHS measures such as safety harnesses and guardrails. Belt tension, fan bearings and damper motors are also part of these checks.
Shopping mall maintenance is almost always done outside business hours. Common-area air handling units and the chiller group are taken for maintenance after the stores close or before they open; work in tenant areas is timed together with mall management and the tenant. In enclosed car parks, exhaust and jet fans, and in food courts, hood exhausts and grease filters are also systems that need regular checks. Keeping these systems in working order is important for both comfort and safety.
Our services for this sector
Rooftop unitMaintenance and repair of roof-type packaged air conditioners.
Air handling unit maintenanceFilter replacement, fan and belt, coil and hygiene.
Chiller maintenanceCondenser, compressor, refrigerant leak test and measured report.
VRF air conditioning maintenanceOutdoor and indoor unit maintenance, pressure measurement, fault code analysis.
VentilationVentilation and exhaust systems.
Annual maintenance contractScheduled maintenance, priority on breakdowns, single price.How do we work?
In shopping mall projects, we inventory common-area and tenant systems separately and prepare a maintenance schedule suited to out-of-hours work together with management. We plan work on the roof and in technical rooms according to OHS rules and provide a unit-by-unit report after each maintenance visit. Before seasonal transitions, we test the rooftop and chiller groups before the load arrives, and we focus on permanently resolving recurring problems by tracking tenant complaints unit by unit. We also plan spare part needs in advance. For facilities in Ankara, our teams are in the field every day and we respond to fault calls the same day. For facilities outside Ankara, we send a planned team from Ankara; we work on a project, annual contract and public tender basis. For contracted facilities, we plan the maintenance schedule in advance; in an urgent situation, the team dispatch time varies with distance.
Checklist forms for chillers, fan coils, air handling units, VRF and other equipment.See the forms
Frequently asked questions
Can shopping mall AC maintenance be done during store hours?
Maintenance of common-area air handling units and central systems is usually done after the stores close or before they open. Short checks that do not affect visitors can be done during the day; the schedule is set together with mall management.
What is the most common fault in rooftop units?
High-pressure faults caused by a dirty condenser coil, worn belts and clogged filters are the most common problems. Cleaning and inspection before summer prevent most of these faults.
Do you also maintain tenants' VRF systems?
Yes. We take on maintenance of tenant systems under an agreement with mall management or directly with the tenant; we work with all brands.
Why are the upper floors hotter?
In buildings with atriums, hot air collects at the top and a glass roof increases the solar load. Reviewing air handling unit airflows, diffuser directions and control settings often improves the situation.
Does car park ventilation also fall within the scope?
Yes. Car park exhaust and jet fans, food court exhaust systems and fresh air handling units can be included in the maintenance contract.