The quality of a restaurant environment depends on many functions and systems within a building. You need to be sure the kitchen is clean, comfortable, and efficient. At the same time, the comfort of your patrons matters – which is why it’s essential to invest in a good restaurant HVAC system. Installation is just the first step, which is why you need to learn more about common restaurant HVAC FAQs.
As a restaurant owner, your specialty is preparing delicious meals and giving the customers what they want most: a delicious experience every time they visit your establishment. Even if you are a pro at designing the menu and creating new meals that people love, there are many other responsibilities to keep your restaurant in business. Not only do you need to address cash flow and employee management, but building maintenance, inventory, health, and other factors can influence the overall success of your restaurant.
A few good systems, and support from the right industry professionals, will ensure that you can stay ahead of these important responsibilities. You don’t have to handle everything yourself, which is why it’s smart to hire the right support for the ongoing maintenance and preventive repair work that might be needed.
Our team at AirLogix is here to provide the ongoing care that you require, to ensure that you always have a good, quality HVAC system running in your restaurant. We’ll gladly answer your questions and help with the design of a regular maintenance plan to keep your equipment running in top condition. Here are a few restaurant HVAC FAQs, and the answers you need:
RESTAURANT HVAC FILTERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE… WHAT DO I DO?
Did you know that clogged air filters are the top reason for HVAC system failure? When the system has limited air moving through, then it puts added stress on the machinery and eventually leads to failure. You invested in a good HVAC system for your restaurant – don’t let that money go to waste by neglecting the replacement of your air filters.
It’s easy to let filter replacement be neglected, especially when you are busy with the management of other responsibilities in your restaurant. Instead of adding another thing to your never-ending to-do list, let the pros take care of filter replacement and maintenance. Our team is here to provide the support that you need.
But what if the filters you need are no longer available? Sometimes, certain HVAC systems are hard to maintain because of the age of the system. If the filters aren’t manufactured anymore, then you might need to consider these HVAC services:
- Talk to an Industry Expert: Just because you can’t find the filters doesn’t mean that they aren’t out there. Our team has built solid industry connections, which means that we might be able to find parts that aren’t available to the general public. Talk to us and we’ll see if we can find the right filters for your system.
- Upgrade Existing Filtration: It might be time to improve your existing filtration system. Schedule a time for an evaluation with our team, and we’ll help you decide if you need a MERV upgrade. In a restaurant, you could potentially benefit from a MERV 11 with charcoal media to get to MERV 13. Then, you can run the HVAC system an hour before and after your restaurant is open.
As with other restaurant HVAC FAQs, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for every restaurant. The best solution is to talk to us about the possibilities for your unique needs.
HOW CAN I PROVIDE PROOF OF COMPLIANCE?
There are a lot of considerations when you are choosing HVAC equipment for a restaurant. Not only does the HVAC maintain a comfortable temperature and indoor climate, but it also plays a role in minimizing the lingering smells and maintaining safe quality for indoor air. Certain health and safety compliance regulations need to be met. If these compliance details are neglected, then it could potentially result in the closure of your business.
Yes, it’s important to have an efficient HVAC. The performance of your restaurant HVAC system will have an undeniable impact on the future success of your company. If the HVAC unit fails, or your restaurant is temporarily closed for health and safety concerns, then it means that you could be losing thousands of dollars per day.
Not only do you have requirements that need to be met for the health department, but some areas are starting to implement COVID-ventilation requirements for public health. It’s important that you are working with an experienced team that understands building codes and air quality requirements. You can provide proof of compliance to show that your restaurant meets or exceeds the requirements for your industry.
Our team is here to provide the support you need for compliance – from installation to maintenance, and everything in between. We take care of the HVAC-related details so you can focus on other aspects of maintaining your restaurant and business.
WHAT ARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DUCTLESS SYSTEMS
The next question in our list of restaurant HVAC FAQs is related to ductless systems. As you are selecting from available HVAC equipment, you’ll need to decide if you’d like to install a system with ducts, or if it’s a better fit to go ductless.
Since restaurants often have unique needs, a ductless HVAC system might be the solution for you. Restaurants can be demanding on HVAC systems for the following reasons:
- Kitchen temperatures are often changing, depending on the cooking that is happening during the hour
- Doors are opening and closing constantly, allowing cold or hot air to come into the building
- Different sized spaces in the building make it challenging to maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature for customers
- Heat-generating appliances need to run in a cool environment, without freezing out the main dining room
- Cooking smoke increases the need for an excellent ventilation system
When you are trying to meet these needs and address common issues, it’s possible that a ductless system might be the right solution. These powerful units are excellent for responding to changes in temperature, giving you an efficient and quick way to manage the environment.
Talk to our team about your equipment options, and we will also share information about other important details. For example, it’s important to understand the potential risks related to carbon monoxide. Also, we will talk about your options for effective air filters to manage smoke, smells, and other things that are happening in the kitchen.
In terms of maintenance for ductless systems, it’s smart to invest in an ongoing maintenance and repair plan. We can help with a variety of preventative services, such as:
- Cleaning indoor air coil and filters
- Upgrading a filter system without affecting efficiency
- Regular inspections to identify problems or issues in the earliest stages
- Performance optimization to help you manage utility costs
- Personalized recommendations for your restaurant
WHAT IF YOUR RESTAURANT DOESN’T HAVE AC?
It’s assumed that every restaurant has an air conditioning unit. But there are some businesses that haven’t installed an AC. If you are one of these companies, you need to learn about this restaurant HVAC FAQs: managing indoor temperature without an air conditioner.
Ideally, it’s best to keep the relative humidity between 40 – 60%, which means that it can help to install a dehumidifier. This piece of equipment can help with the management of indoor air temperature, without the need to install a full system with ducts and more.
Depending on the time of year and the outdoor weather conditions, it can be helpful to keep the windows open. This fresh air goes a long way to clear out the smoke from cooking, bring in a nice breeze, and help your staff and customers feel comfortable when they are inside.
Another option is to install an outdoor air conditioner unit. If you find that the temperature is unbearable and you are unable to manage the temperature, then it might be time to invest in good equipment. Our team provides personalized recommendations that help with much more than climate control. A good restaurant HVAC system is also beneficial for air quality, health and safety, and even local building codes.
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of running a powerful exhaust fan. One of the biggest challenges in a restaurant is managing the air quality when all the burners are running in the kitchen. During the rush of the dinner hour, the smoke and smells can not only overpower the kitchen but also move into the dining room and all areas of the restaurant. If you have a good exhaust fan, it helps to move these smells out of the building so you can manage the overall environment and air quality.
TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESTAURANT HVAC
Our final restaurant HVAC FAQ is focused on price: how much will you pay? The cost depends on the type of equipment selected and the contractor that is hired.
If you want upgrades that go above and beyond basic needs, with UVC .75-1.25 per CFM installed, then entry-level filter upgrades can run around $1150. This price includes filtration, chemical cleaning of indoor air coil, and an installation report from our team at AirLogix.
Additional unit filtration is $450, and chemical cleaning runs at $150. These prices give you a feel for the industry, but a good baseline is anywhere from $1150 – $2000.
The best solution is to schedule a consultation with our team at AirLogix. We’ll answer your restaurant HVAC FAQs and provide an estimate for the work that needs to be completed.