AAON RQ Series

Introduction

The AAON RQ Series packaged rooftop solutions are distinguished by AAON's industry-leading features, including double wall foam-injected cabinets and direct drive backward curved plenum fans. Commonly utilized in school districts, RQ units are ideal for Single Zone VAV applications. The RQ Series also excels in performance and serviceability for small tonnage Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) applications.

AAON sets the standard for commercial packaged rooftop units in performance, serviceability, and long-term value, covering capacities from 2-5 tons.

Standard Features

• Double wall rigid polyurethane foam panel construction with a minimum R-16 insulation value.
• Double sloped stainless steel drain pans for effective drainage and prevention of standing water, reducing corrosion and bacterial growth.
• Direct drive backward curved plenum fans.
• AHRI certified performance for proven efficiency.
• Standard two-year parts warranty and five-year non-prorated compressor warranty.
• 15-year non-prorated aluminized steel gas heat exchanger warranty, and 25-year non-prorated stainless steel gas heat exchanger warranty.
• Variable capacity and variable speed scroll compressors for load matching cooling and improved part load efficiency.
• AMCA certified and labeled low leakage economizer dampers utilize outdoor air for cooling under certain conditions.
• Available as a chilled water, or non-compressorized DX air handling unit.
• Air-source, water-source, and geothermal heat pump options.
• Electric, gas, steam, or hot water heating design for application flexibility.
• Power exhaust and power return options with economizer.
• Corrosion-resistant polyurethane paint exceeds a 2,500-hour salt spray test.
• Access doors with full-length stainless steel piano hinges and quarter-turn, lockable handles.
• Run test report, wiring diagram, and Installation, Operation, and Maintenance manual with startup are provided with every unit.

Construction and Serviceability

Durable, Energy-Efficient Design

Features double wall construction using closed-cell polyurethane foam insulation with G90 galvanized steel walls, offering an insulation R-Value of 16. This creates a more rigid and durable assembly with less unwanted heat transfer, avoiding issues associated with fiberglass insulation.

Streamlined Serviceability

AAON equipment prioritizes efficient serviceability, reducing downtime and costs. Easily accessible compressors, control components, color-coded wiring diagrams, and labeled components minimize delays in service issue evaluation. This standard feature ensures low service costs and maximizes unit run time.

Accessible Cabinet Doors

Access doors feature full-length stainless steel piano hinges and quarter-turn, lockable handles, providing improved reliability over single-point hinges and making the unit easily serviceable.

Increased Thermal Resistance

The double wall rigid polyurethane foam-injected cabinet panel increases thermal resistance, reduces air leakage, and attenuates radiated sound. A thermal break reduces heat transfer between interior and exterior metal cabinet walls.

AAON equipment is service-friendly with color-coded wiring diagrams, heavy-duty access doors and handles, and easy access to components.

Direct Drive Backward Curved Plenum Fans are more energy-efficient, quieter, and require less maintenance than belt-driven fans. VFD-controlled and ECM-driven supply, exhaust, and return fans are available for precise airflow control, building pressure control, and reduced power consumption.

Configurability

Variable Capacity Technology

Single zone VAV systems utilize variable capacity or variable speed compressor technology, along with modulating VFD-controlled supply fans, to accurately control cooling and humidity levels within the space. This is ideal for applications with varying sensible and latent loads.

Low Energy Consumption and Leakage

Factory-installed, sensible or enthalpy, gear-driven economizers allow for free cooling. Gear-driven economizers eliminate excess play and bind found in linkage-type economizers. Standard AMCA-certified and labeled AAON low-leakage dampers meet California Title 24 damper air leakage requirements.

Enhanced Airflow and Air Quality

Improve airflow and air quality by selecting a unit with makeup air capabilities and low-leakage AAON economizers, allowing up to 100% outside air. Modulating reheat can be added to make the unit DOAS-certified, providing accurate humidity control.

Precise Humidity Control

AAON uses high-capacity cooling coils for maximum dehumidification. With modulating hot gas reheat, space temperature and humidity levels can be precisely controlled.

Configurable Air Handling Unit

AAON RQ Series rooftop units can be configured as air handling units with chilled water or hot water coils. Gas, electric, and steam are also options for heating control. These units can be paired with a remote condensing unit.

High and Low Ambient Operation

With premium design, construction, and testing, AAON RQ Series units are rated to operate up to 125°F (52°C) ambient and down to 0°F (-18°C).

Options

• Variable capacity and variable speed scroll compressors for load matching cooling and improved part load efficiency.
• Variable speed air-source heat pump for efficient non-fossil fuel heating down to 0°F ambient and omni-climate performance.
• VFD-controlled or ECM-driven condenser fans for energy savings and refrigerant head pressure control.
• Humidity control options including: High Capacity Coils and Modulating Hot Gas Reheat.
• Multiple high-efficiency air filtration options for improved indoor air quality by reducing airborne allergens and pollutants.
• Factory-installed AAONAIRE® total and sensible energy recovery wheels for pre-conditioning air, reducing heating and cooling loads.
• Modulating gas heat with stainless steel heat exchanger for improved energy efficiency and enhanced durability.
• SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) electric heat control for reduced power consumption, longer heater life, and improved occupant comfort.
• Hot water or steam heating coils allow unit to tie into new or existing boiler systems.
• Low-sound air-cooled condenser fans engineered for peak performance and quiet operation.
• Chilled water cooling coils allow unit to tie into new or existing chilled water systems.
• Polymer e-coated coils for corrosion protection.
• Power exhaust options with economizer for better indoor air quality.
• Metal mesh pre-filters for additional filtration and to prevent moisture carryover.
• Return and supply side firestat and smoke detector options for additional safety.
• Phase and Brownout protection against voltage imbalance.
• Controls section service lights for easier maintenance.
• Shrink wrap and export crating available for protective shipping.
• 115V convenience outlet option available.
• Different paint color options available for unit customization.
• Additional customization is available by request for further flexibility in design.

Low GWP Refrigerant

AIM Act Compliant

The AIM Act of 2020 empowered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to manage Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and regulate refrigerants based on global warming potential (GWP). GWP compares refrigerants' impact on global warming. The final ruling mandating all new air conditioners to use refrigerants with a GWP below 700 is anticipated to begin January 1, 2025.

AAON has thoroughly researched and tested low GWP refrigerants and selected R-454B for its similarity to R-410A in capacity and properties, requiring less product redesign. With a GWP of 466, R-454B is well below the upcoming regulation limits.

AAON selected R-454B, a sub-500 GWP refrigerant, to drive the industry towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Heat Pumps

The RQ Series units offer efficient cooling and heating capabilities with the heat pump option. By reversing the refrigeration circuits, the heat pump provides heating without the need for gas or electric heat, eliminating fossil fuel usage. With potential cost savings compared to gas heating systems, the RQ is available as an air-source, water-source, or geothermal heat pump.

Air-Source Heat Pump

Air-source heat pumps use the outdoor air as the heat transfer medium. This system provides heat pump efficiency benefits and does not require a water loop.

Water-Source Heat Pump

Water-source heat pumps work similarly to geothermal heat pumps but utilize a cooling tower and boiler system. Typical WSHP applications include multistory buildings or large campuses.

Geothermal Heat Pump

Geothermal heat pumps use underground pipes and water flow to transfer heat between the building and the earth, leveraging the stable ground temperature ranging from 45°F to 75°F. This method provides efficient heating in winter and cooling in summer. Ground water heat pumps utilize bodies of water for heat transfer with the refrigerant.

[CE Mark]

Indoor Air Quality

The quality of air inside a building impacts the health and cognition of occupants. AAON's standard design and rooftop equipment options improve indoor air quality.

Outside Air Ventilation

Bringing fresh outside air into a building helps flush out infectious aerosols and reduces CO2 levels. High-capacity cooling coils are available to handle the higher latent load of outside air. Research indicates that some viruses are rendered inactive on surfaces when ambient relative humidity is between 40%-60%.

Filtration

ASHRAE recommends a minimum MERV 13 filter to effectively trap viruses. This option is available on all sizes of rooftop equipment, and the standard backward-curved supply fans can handle the additional static pressure associated with higher-quality filtration. AAON offers up to MERV 14 pleated air filters.

AAONAIRE® Energy Recovery Wheel

Factory-installed AAONAIRE® energy recovery wheels save heating and cooling energy by pre-conditioning outside air, significantly improving energy savings and reducing unit operating costs, especially for makeup air units. These wheels are offered in polymer or aluminum construction with removable segments for quick cleaning.

UV Lights

UV light options are available factory-installed and can be used to inactivate pathogens in the airstream of an air handling unit.

Cross-Flow Fixed Plate Heat Exchanger Energy Recovery

Cross-flow fixed plate heat exchangers save heating and cooling dollars by pre-cooling, pre-heating, and humidifying ventilation outdoor air (depending on ambient conditions). These exchangers have no moving parts and can improve indoor air quality by eliminating cross-contamination. Sensible-only or enthalpy fixed plate heat exchangers are available.

Outside Air Bypass

Allowing outside air provides better ventilation airflow and full economizer operation. Bypass dampers can also be used for defrosting the heat exchanger.

Precision Cooling and Heating Control

RQ Series units offer options for two-step, variable capacity, or variable speed compressors, depending on cabinet size and application. Modulating compressors allow precise and efficient cooling control. Gas and electric heat can be staged or modulating to provide precise heating temperature control.

Two-Step Compressors

Two-step compressors allow for improved part load efficiency with simple staged control and are available on select RQ units. Unit IEER can be optimized without complex refrigeration and DDC controls, reducing operating and maintenance costs.

Variable Capacity (Digital) Compressors

Variable capacity compressors allow for a wide range of capacity control (10-100%) for improved part load efficiency with simple controls.

Variable Speed Compressors

Variable speed compressors are quiet in operation and provide load-matching cooling and the highest efficiency ratings at part load conditions. Refrigeration controls are built into AAON equipment to protect compressors and optimize efficiency for single or multi-zone VAV and Makeup Air applications.

Precision Heating Control

AAON uses patented dimpled stainless steel or aluminized heat exchangers. Staging can be set for on/off, two-stage, four-stage, modulating, or high turndown. Modulating gas heat provides greater fuel efficiency, longer heater life, and improved occupant comfort. SCR-controlled electric heat strips offer precise electric heating control without the need for gas piping.

The RQ Series, though compact, is substantial in quality and versatility. Its design makes this premium rooftop unit perfect for various applications, offering precise control and reliable performance.

Specifications

*Dimensions vary depending on options selected. All dimensions are in inches. Design cfm may be 30-50% greater or less than nominal cfm.

Built to Last. Built for You.

There's a confidence that comes from knowing you've chosen the best. Because AAON's operations are as efficient as its HVAC systems, customers receive premier AAON quality at a reasonable price. Outstanding serviceability and support create lifetime AAON customers.