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HVAC SYSTEM IN RESTAURENT CASE STUDY2
HVAC SYSTEM IN RESTAURENT CASE STUDY2
A restaurant HVAC system is a commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system used in restaurants. While people
sometimes use “HVAC” and “AC” interchangeably, “AC” just refers to cooling of the air.
HVAC systems control the temperature of your venue and promote the proper circulation and ventilation of air in a space. A
restaurant’s system can be comprised of multiple parts, such as:
•A furnace for heat
•Ventilators for promoting air circulation
•Air conditioning units for cooling the air
•Makeup air units for replacing air exhausted by kitchen hoods
•Ductwork for circulating hot and cold air
•A thermostat for controlling your space’s temperature
You may be familiar with many of these components from your home’s HVAC system. The primary difference between
what you may find at home versus what’s used in a restaurant is the size of the system. Commercial HVAC systems are
larger than home systems because they service larger spaces.
One part of a restaurant HVAC system you may not be familiar with from your home’s system is a makeup air unit.
Makeup air units should not be overlooked because they are a critical part of the HVAC system for restaurants.
A makeup air unit replaces the air exhausted from exhaust hood fans in the kitchen with fresh, temperature-controlled
air from outside. In other words, it “makes up” the air removed from the hood. If you haven’t noticed a makeup air unit in
your restaurant, check the roof; that’s where they’re typically installed.
Restaurant makeup air units are important for improving indoor air quality, removing airborne pollutants and
contaminants, making your kitchen less stuffy, and preventing food smells from entering neighboring spaces. Because
they add new, clean air to a space, having a good quality makeup air unit is especially important during the pandemic.
Why Restaurant HVAC Systems Are So Important
HVAC systems are the unsung heroes of many commercial spaces, including restaurants. They’re critical to maintaining good
indoor air quality, making guests feel comfortable, improving working conditions in the kitchen, and more.
Below are just a few of the reasons to invest in a high-quality restaurant HVAC system.
Beyond safety, heating and air conditioning helps to keep diners comfortably warm in the winter and cool
in the summer. While we’re on the subject: don’t forget to winterize your restaurant’s patio to let guests dine
outdoors year-round – outdoor heaters are a must!
Ventilation is the process of exchanging or replacing air in any space to provide fresh air and improve indoor air quality. It
involves the removal of stale air and its replacement with fresh outdoor air. This process is essential for removing moisture,
odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, and other pollutants from an indoor environment.
The primary purpose of ventilation is to maintain good air quality in indoor spaces. It does this by diluting and displacing
indoor pollutants. Without proper ventilation, indoor air can become filled with high concentrations of pollutants and
airborne pathogens that can be harmful to health and comfort.
•Health: Breathing in fresh air, as opposed to stale or polluted indoor air, reduces the risk of airborne diseases and
respiratory issues. Pollutants may accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces, leading to health problems over time.
•Comfort: A well-ventilated space can prevent the buildup of odors and excess humidity, ensuring a comfortable indoor
environment.
•Building Health: Proper ventilation can prevent damage to the building envelope from excess moisture, which can lead to
mold growth and structural damage.
•Energy Efficiency: While it may seem counterintuitive, bringing in fresh outdoor air can sometimes help maintain the
desired temperature and humidity levels in a building, reducing the strain on heating and cooling systems and potentially
lowering cooling costs.
•Safety: In spaces with combustion appliances, ventilation is crucial to prevent the buildup of harmful gases, such as carbon
dioxide and radon.
In essence, ventilation plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the air within our homes, offices, and other indoor spaces is clean,
fresh, and safe to breathe. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
provides guidelines on recommended ventilation rates to ensure optimal indoor air quality.
Components Of Ventilation
Ventilation is a complex system that ensures the continuous flow of fresh air into a space and the removal of stale or
polluted air. To achieve this, various components work in tandem, each playing a specific role. Here’s a breakdown of the
primary components of a ventilation system:
1. Natural Ventilation
This type of ventilation relies on natural driving forces like wind and temperature differences to circulate air. It’s the most
traditional form and involves the use of windows and doors, as well as other openings, to allow fresh outdoor air to replace
indoor air. Natural ventilation is often preferred for its energy efficiency and ability to provide a connection with the
outdoor environment.
2. Mechanical Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation systems use fans and ductwork to move air in and out of a building. There are several types of
mechanical ventilation:
•Supply Ventilation: Brings in fresh air from outside, creating a positive pressure that pushes stale air out through leaks
and openings.
•Exhaust Ventilation: Removes air from specific areas (e.g., bathrooms) where pollutants or moisture might accumulate,
creating a negative pressure.
•Balanced Ventilation Systems: These systems both supply fresh air and exhaust stale air, ensuring a balanced flow of air
throughout the building.
•Energy Recovery Ventilation: These systems recover energy from exhausted air and use it to precondition incoming fresh
air, reducing energy loss.
3. Hybrid Ventilation
A combination of natural and mechanical ventilation systems, hybrid systems use mechanical aids to enhance the
effectiveness of natural ventilation, especially during periods when natural forces might not be sufficient.
4. Spot Ventilation
This type targets specific areas of a building, using exhaust fans or supply fans. Examples include exhaust fans in
bathrooms or ceiling fans in living areas.
5. Whole House Ventilation
As the name suggests, this type provides uniform ventilation throughout an entire building. It’s especially useful in tightly
sealed homes where natural ventilation may not be adequate.
6. Positive Pressure Ventilation
This system introduces air into a building, usually after filtering and tempering it, to create a positive pressure. This ensures
that any uncontrolled air leakage is from inside to outside, reducing the entry of pollutants.
7. Negative Pressure Ventilation
Opposite to positive pressure systems, these systems exhaust air from the building, ensuring that any uncontrolled air
entering the building is from outside to inside.
Each type of ventilation serves a specific purpose and is suited to particular building designs, climates, and requirements.
For instance, in warm and humid climates, exhaust ventilation systems might be more appropriate to remove moist air and
prevent mold growth. Conversely, in colder regions, energy recovery ventilation can help in conserving heat.
3. Hybrid Ventilation
•Principle: Combines the benefits of natural and mechanical systems.
•Operation: Typically, the system will rely on natural ventilation when conditions are favorable (e.g., mild temperatures
and adequate wind). When natural forces aren’t sufficient, mechanical systems kick in to assist.
4. Spot Ventilation
•Principle: Target specific areas or rooms.
•Operation: Exhaust fans in bathrooms or kitchens remove moisture and odors directly from the source. Supply fans might
introduce fresh air into specific rooms.
Wall Mounted AC
Wall-mounted air conditioning systems are the most cost effective and versatile solution. They are mounted, as the name
suggests, to the wall. They are quick and easy to install. Wall units are ideal for smaller restaurants, pubs, and cafés. A
single unit can cool an average-sized room. You can add up to five units to a single system, to accommodate a larger
space.
Ducted AC
Ducted systems are more expensive compared to wall-mounted units. They are usually installed in a suspended or false
ceiling. Ducted systems are the most aesthetically pleasing out of the choice of units. The system is designed to be almost
entirely hidden. The only visible elements are small grilles in the wall or ceiling. These grilles are available in different
shapes and sizes and can be customized. An engineer will advise you on the most appropriate option for your space.
Ducted air conditioning units are designed to be completely concealed. They can be housed in a false ceiling and are
usually controlled via a wall mounted controller. Their versatility makes it a popular choice for both domestic and
commercial requirements. You may have encountered one of these air conditioning systems in a hotel.
Ceiling Cassette AC
Ceiling cassette units are a popular choice for restaurants, pubs, and cafés. They are ideal for cooling larger spaces and are
usually installed in a suspended ceiling. Most of the unit is hidden in the ceiling with the front panel being the only visible
element. They feature a four-way air flow for balanced cooling distribution.
Ceiling cassette air conditioning units are mounted, as the name suggests, in the ceiling. They are most effective installed
in a suspended ceiling where there is room to accommodate the unit. Ceiling mounting provides excellent coverage and
can cover a large room. Being in the ceiling also means this type of air conditioning system is discreet and out of the way.
Types of Air Conditioning System (AC)
●Split AC
As the name suggests, Split AC consists of two units – an outdoor
(mounted on the wall outside the home) and an indoor unit (mounted
inside the home). The outdoor unit, which consists of a compressor
and condenser, does the actual cooling, and the indoor unit, consisting
of a blower, circulates the cool air in the room.
Features of Split ACs
•Split ACs are more aesthetically pleasing than other models, and they
are an ideal cooling system for rooms of all sizes and shapes.
•These units are highly energy efficient. Some of the models
integrated with triple inverter plus technology promise up to 65%
energy savings.
•The in-built air purifiers eliminate all kinds of pollutants and ensure
you breathe clean air.
●Tower AC
Tower ACs are slowly becoming popular in India. The working of these units
are similar to conventional ACs, but they come with an added advantage of
portability. All the components are enclosed inside a single free-standing unit.
You can literally take the cooling unit with you wherever you are sitting,
provided the space has an electricity supply.
Features of Tower AC
•The high-performance compression and cooling system enable efficient
cooling inside the room even when the outside temperature is as high as 60
degrees Celsius.
•The high-efficiency dual rotary compressor helps save more energy.
•The anti-dust filter purifies the air, eliminates dirt and dust particles, and
circulates clean, fresh air in the room.
•Some of the models come with Wi-Fi and voice control features
●Duct AC
Duct ACs are suitable for large homes or commercial spaces that require cooling many rooms at once. Therefore, these
ACs are ideal for supermarkets, shopping malls, etc. In a Duct AC, the air is treated in a central location and then
circulated through fans and ducts into each room. These ACs are great for keeping large spaces at a uniform
temperature.
Features of Duct AC
•The ceiling-mounted air conditioning ducts easily blend with the overall look and feel of the room décor.
•These units make zero to minimal noise that allows you to work and sleep peacefully without the annoying sound of
the compressor.
•The multiple airflow options let your control the airflow to suit your specific needs.
•Duct ACs allow cooling your entire home/office at once with just a touch of a button. So, no more running around to a
different room to turn the AC on or off
●Cassette AC
Cassette ACs are similar to conventional split ACs, except that the indoor unit is mounted on the ceiling. Also known as
suspended ACs, the cassette ACs are ideal for small rooms with limited spaces or places where the construction
architecture doesn't allow for installing a duct AC system.
Features of Cassette AC
•·Due to their high airflow, these units can cool the room faster than conventional wall-mounted split AC with the same
tonnage.
•·The large diameter of the fan ensures increased airflow as against the conventional units.
•·Some models have a Round Way Air Flow technology, which ensures uniform cooling across the room with no hot spots
•·Most Cassette AC units have self-clean technology that cleans dust, kills bacteria and circulates clean, pure and fresh air
inside the room.
●Heat Pump
Heat Pump Tower ACs work both as a cooling and heating system. The system absorbs heat inside the room during the
summers and sends it outside. In winter, the system provides warmth inside the room by absorbing the heat from outside
and moving it inside.
Features of Heat Pump
•Heat Pump Tower AC has a superior design that is a cynosure to the eye.
•These units are equipped with attractive features like child lock function, sleep and dry mode.
•The wide-angle 3D Airflow technology allows airflow up to 15 m long.
•The self-clean technology kills bacteria and cleans dust, ensuring better IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) and healthy air all-
around your home.
Benefits of Restaurant Air Conditioning
Improved Productivity
A hot and stuffy work environment can hinder the productivity of staff members. The installation of an AC
system will promote a productive working environment and boost staff morale. This is particularly important in
commercial kitchens and for kitchen staff as it can get very hot and humid in such a fast-paced working
environment.
Customer satisfaction
The customers’ dining experience is at the core of any restaurant business. Air conditioning will allow you to
regulate the climate and keep your customers comfortable during their time at your restaurant. A hot and stuffy
environment will be sure to drive customers away.
HOW MANY AIR CONDITIONERS ARE REQUIRED FOR A
RESTAURANT ?
Understanding Restaurant’s Cooling Needs
Restaurants vary widely regarding square footage, layout, occupancy, and geographical location. Each of these factors
influences the cooling requirements of the building. A comprehensive assessment of these important elements is necessary
to accurately determine the appropriate AC capacity.
In particular, the size of the building – including its floor area and ceiling height – plays a critical role in calculating the
cooling load. Factors such as the number of occupants, equipment heat gain, and insulation quality must be considered to
ensure optimal cooling performance.
Why Proper AC Unit Sizing Is So Important
For our expert technicians at Ambient Edge, there is a detailed thought process that goes into evaluating a commercial
building and matching it with a perfect HVAC system. The importance of careful unit selection cannot be overstated. The
size and capacity of AC units play a significant role in maintaining optimal comfort, energy efficiency, and overall
operational costs.
Undersized units can lead to many problems, including frequent breakdowns, increased maintenance expenses, and
insufficient cooling and ventilation, which can jeopardize the health and well-being of the occupants. Meanwhile, oversized
units lead to excessive energy consumption and exorbitant utility
Calculating the Required AC Tonnage for restaurant
In the HVAC industry, the rule of thumb is that you can use approximately one ton (12,000 BTU) of cooling capacity for
every 400-600 square feet of commercial space. However, this guideline only offers a rough estimate, which sometimes
provides a starting point when considering the cooling needs of a building. It’s important to note that this estimation may
not be accurate for every situation, as each commercial space has unique characteristics that can influence the required
cooling capacity.
A professional HVAC engineer or technician must perform a much more detailed load calculation to determine a precise
figure.
Avoiding Common AC Sizing Mistakes
Certain mistakes can occur when estimating AC capacity without professional guidance. Relying solely on rule-of-thumb
estimations or oversimplifying the calculation process often leads to inaccurate results and mismatched unit selection.
However, many other oversights can contribute to potential problem.
Some of the most common AC sizing mistakes include:
1.Neglecting to consider future expansion. Failing to account for potential growth or changes in occupancy
can result in an undersized AC system that struggles to meet increasing cooling demands.
2.Ignoring insulation quality. Inadequate insulation allows heat to penetrate the building more easily, causing
the internal temperature to rise. This increases the cooling load, necessitating a larger AC unit.
3.Disregarding air leakage. Overlooking air leakage from windows, doors, or poorly sealed ductwork can
lead to inaccurate load calculations and improperly sized AC systems.
4.Ignoring ventilation requirements. Commercial buildings may have specific ventilation needs based on
occupancy and air quality regulations. Failure to account for proper ventilation can result in an undersized
system and inadequate airflow.
5.Not considering heat-generating equipment. Overlooking the heat gain from equipment such as
computers, appliances, or machinery can lead to a miscalculation of cooling needs.
DUCTS IN RESTAURANT’S KITCHEN
•Island hoods: These are mounted on the ceiling to hang over your island stove top with ductwork through the ceiling.
•Proximity hoods: These are narrower and have less overhang than a canopy type of hood.
•Wall-mounted hoods: These are mounted to the wall and use a fan to alleviate grease and smoke, allowing you to
adjust the fan depending on what you’re cooking.
Types of Hoods
Commercial hoods are divided into two types based on whether or not they are designed to handle grease.
Type 1 hoods are for use over grease- and smoke-producing
equipment, such as fryers, broilers, ranges, and tilt skillets.
•Include grease filters or baffles to trap and remove grease
•Custom-built to the operator's specifications to ensure every
piece of equipment that will go under the hood is properly
covered
•Must be regularly cleaned to prevent grease buildup,
which could cause a fire hazard
•Requires professional installation
Type 2 Hoods
Type 2 hoods are for use overheat- and steam-producing
equipment, such as dishwashers, steam tables, and some ovens.
•Not designed for use over grease-producing equipment
•Some models are designed to only remove condensation and
steam while other models are strictly designed to remove heat
and odors
•Requires professional installation
Condensate Hood
Condensate hood systems are designed to remove the
condensation and steam produced by dishwashers and
steam equipment.
Outdoor Hood
Just like the name suggests, outdoor hood
systems are designed for use with outdoor
kitchens. These hoods feature a corrosion-resistant
stainless-steel construction that can withstand the
outdoor elements.
1.Wall-mounted canopy hoods are flush-mounted to the wall and are used for all
equipment types that are located against a wall.
2.Single island canopy hoods are ceiling-mounted over an island with a single cooking
line and are used for all equipment types.
3.Double island canopy hoods are ceiling-mounted over an island with a back-to-back
cooking lines and are used for all equipment types.
4.Backshelf / low level hood can be freestanding or flush-mounted to the wall and are
used for counter-height equipment.
6.Passover hoods are used over counter-height equipment in instances where a plate is
passed from the cooking side to the serving side.
1 ADVANCE DESIGN STUDIO- HVAC SYSTEM IN RESTAURANT