One of the most crucial responsibilities of a restaurant owner or building manager is to pay attention to the proper functioning of the HVAC systems. A commercial HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system is made up of various elements and components. If any of these parts of a unit has an issue, it can affect the efficiency of the entire system and can even lead to total failure. This, in turn, can disrupt business and drive clients away. If you operate a restaurant, commercial kitchen or a food service center, you should always make sure your HVAC system functions to its fullest potential. But how exactly do you keep HVAC machines in good health? In this article, we will discuss that and a lot more.
Being a commercial HVAC system specialist, we at APS Hoods possess an in-depth knowledge of how these systems function and how you should care for the units to keep getting the best results. Our services also include hood exhaust cleaning, grease trap cleaning, HVAC installation, HVAC repair etc.
When running a restaurant or large kitchen, you constantly need to maintain better indoor air quality and regulate the indoor temperature. Composed of heating units, ventilation system and air-conditioning units, the HVAC performs a crucial role by providing a safe and comfortable environment to both kitchen employees and guests in the dining area. HVAC systems are complex machines, designed to keep large areas well-ventilated and fresh. That is why you should seek the help of trained professionals for HVAC installation, service and repair.
Every restaurant or cooking facility is different, and it requires custom-made HVAC machines for high efficiency and use on a regular basis. Some of the key benefits of these machines and units are as follows.
Control and regulate indoor temperature
Improve indoor air quality
Reduce energy consumption
Improve work environment
Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations
When running a restaurant, it is your first priority as the owner or the manager to give workers a safe and comfortable work environment. By installing commercial HVAC systems, you will protect your employees against different kinds of health hazards and increase their productivity levels. Once you have these machines installed in a proper manner, you should give them proper maintenance in a timely manner to avoid any kind of major issues or sudden system failure.
At APS Hoods in Denver, CO, we specialize in HVAC installation, HVAC repair, HVAC make up air and HVAC balancing as well as in commercial kitchen cleaning and restaurant hood cleaning among others. To find out more about our services, get in touch with one of our professionals.
How to Keep the Efficiency of Your HVAC Units at Maximum Levels
Maintaining HVAC systems properly can be difficult. Equipped with some useful tips, you can ensure the HVAC machines installed in your restaurant kitchen functions at their peak efficiency levels. Here are some proven tips to help you get the most out of your heating, ventilation and AC units.
#1. Be Proactive about Maintenance
After the installation of your HVAC machine, you should create a proper schedule for its regular maintenance. Many restaurant owners seek HVAC services for maintenance only when an issue arises. However, this is not the right approach, if you plan to get the best results from your heating and air conditioning system. A proactive approach is always the best advice in this regard.
Instead of waiting for a problem to come up and then get the maintenance done, you should give your HVAC units proactive maintenance. This means you should plan a maintenance schedule as soon as you get the units installed in your restaurant kitchen or commercial building. Regular maintenance brings facility managers a number of benefits such as keeping your energy costs down as well as avoiding unexpected failures or outages. Most of all, scheduled maintenance will help you avoid major problems and expensive repairs as a result.
Here is a quick look at what regular HVAC maintenance includes:
Checking and cleaning blower assembly
Replacing filters
Replacing fan belts
Cleaning combustion blower housing
Hood exhaust cleaning
Grease trap cleaning
Trash chute cleaning
Vent hood and duct cleaning
Cleaning condenser coils
Cleaning drain lines
Cleaning fan blades
Cleaning burner assembly
HVAC make up air
HVAC balancing
These are part of a routine preventative maintenance. Every HVAC unit requires proper attention and maintenance. Since these are complex machines, you should get its repair and maintenance carried out only by highly trained and experienced technicians such as those from APS Hoods in Denver, CO. Professionals carry deep knowledge and expertise in cleaning and maintaining each key element of components of the heating, ventilation and AC units. Right from cleaning and inspecting to testing and lubricating all components, our technicians will carry out the entire maintenance in a careful and detailed manner.
#2. Keep a Watch on Energy Consumption
One of the key tips to keep your HVAC machines in good health is to monitor the consumption of energy on a regular basis. If you struggle with constantly increasing energy bills, you should take it as a warning sign and find out if your HVAC system has problems, as soon as possible.
Every system requires regular upkeep and maintenance. Your HVAC machines are no different. Even if you have installed the high quality units, the system will stop giving peak performance without regular maintenance. Just by getting regular upkeep by professionals, you can save up to 20% on your energy bills. Trained technicians conduct a thorough inspection of each element of the HVAC system and understand exactly how much energy the system is consuming. Finally, the technicians find out the issues and carry out maintenance and repair in order to increase energy efficiency. As a result, your energy bills go down.
Therefore, never let your energy bills rise simply because of poor or delayed HVAC maintenance. As soon as you see energy consumption go up, reach out to us for an inspection of the units in your facility.
#3. Conduct Regular HVAC Inspections
One of the best ways to ensure highly efficient functioning of your HVAC is to conduct inspections on a regular basis. Most of all, regular audits or inspections will keep costly repairs away. Since these machines are made up of several intricate components, the inspection will help you find out if there is anything wrong with these parts and fix them before major problems can arise.
During a routine inspection, the technician will take a closer and detailed look at the inner workings of the HVAC system.
Checking HVAC controls
Checking refrigerant levels
Checking electrical connections
Checking thermostat
Inspecting wiring
Cleaning condensation drains
Cleaning drip pans
Checking motors and switches
In fact, the technician will inspect each and every key component of the HVAC system including both the indoor and outdoor units. Usually, the technician also cleans and replaces HVAC coils during the audit.
How frequently you should get the inspections done depends on exactly what size and type of commercial HVAC you use. It is ideal to get it done at the interval of every three months. If you are not sure about your exact needs, you should definitely consult one of our HVAC system specialists at APS Hoods in Denver, CO. Based on your specific needs, our professionals will recommend the best frequency and schedule for carrying out the inspections of your systems.
#4. Create a Predictive Maintenance Plan
It is always smart to address problems before they happen. If you plan to maintain the peak health of your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, you should create and execute a predictive maintenance plan.
Predictive maintenance planning is one of the most effective tips for restaurant owners to follow. This kind of maintenance means you will get advanced maintenance in order to detect components that might stop functioning. Predictive maintenance will give you adequate time to order the parts that need replacement. In this way, you will be able to avoid a number of serious safety hazards and keep your commercial kitchen workers safe as well. To do this, you can use an HVAC health tool to conduct diagnostic tests on your units and systems. Such a diagnosis will immediately make you aware of what might happen to the HVAC or any of its parts in the near future. The tool will also help you troubleshoot the problems.
Based on the results of the HVAC diagnosis tests, you can schedule the inspection and maintenance without any delay.
#5. Use an Energy Management System (EMS)
Run by computer-aided tools, an EMS or energy management system is a highly useful tool to monitor the performance of a wide range of commercial and industrial machines. If you want to keep a close watch on the performance and efficiency of the HVAC system in your facility, using an EMS is a great idea. The system is based on the latest AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology. Using this technology, the energy management system gathers valuable data about your systems including its use of energy and system issues. You can use this data to identify issues ahead of time and schedule HVAC repair and maintenance.
The use of an EMS helps you avoid costly repairs while ensuring your heating and ventilation systems perform with maximum efficiency continuously. Plus, this enables you to prolong the life of the equipment.
If your energy bills are constantly rising, using an EMS is an excellent idea to monitor the consumption of energy by your HVAC units and then reduce high consumption by taking the necessary steps. In fact, one of the major roles of an energy management system is to immediately increase cost savings. Using these advanced AI systems can help you bring down energy bills by up to 30%. Most of all, you will be able to keep your HVAC units at peak health as a result.
#6. Beware of Commercial HVAC Problems
It is a good idea to make yourself aware of the common issues that arise with a heating and ventilation system in a commercial facility. If you spot these problems and take remedial measures immediately, you will be able to turn them into major problems. Often, many facility and building managers ignore many of the common problems and deal with expensive repairs later.
Some of the common HVAC problems include short cycling, leaking refrigerant, dirty filters, dirty condenser coils, squeaking motor sound, unbalanced fan vibration, rattling sound from the blower etc.
Apart from these, there are many other common problems that can arise with your heating and air conditioning system from time to time. While you cannot avoid these minor issues, it is crucial to address them immediately. Preventative and predictive maintenance is a surefire way to keep most of these problems from happening and keep your HVAC units working at its maximum efficiency. To find out more about common commercial HVAC problems, feel free to get in touch with our expertly trained professionals at APS Hoods in Denver, CO.
#7. Seek the Help of a Professional
When it is about maintaining the health of your HVAC units, you should rely only on highly trained and experienced professionals. After reviewing your machines and units, professionals will assess the size and complexity of your commercial heating and air conditioning system and then suggest an ideal frequency for the regular and predictive maintenance. With an in-depth and customized maintenance plan, you will ensure that your HVAC system works at peak efficiency levels while you save costs and bring down your energy bills in a significant manner.
Many commercial kitchen owners and building managers wait for issues to arise and take action after something has happened. Instead of being one of them, you should plan good HVAC health in advance.
Talk to a Commercial HVAC Technician
Now that you have understood that commercial HVAC machines are robust, complex and sophisticated structures, you should make sure you give them proper attention and maintenance on a regular basis. If you operate a restaurant, commercial kitchen or food preparation facility in Denver, CO, you should head over to APS Hoods for all kinds of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning needs including HVAC installation, HVAC repair, HVAC maintenance, exhaust system cleaning, duct cleaning, vent hood cleaning, hood installation, restaurant kitchen cleaning etc.
For your free consultation, you should give our Denver office a phone call or write us an email using the contact form on our website.
The overall design of a restaurant and large kitchen has a massive impact on the staff and guests as well as the restaurant’s profitability. A great deal of planning goes behind how exactly all the cooking appliances and equipment will be arranged in the available space in order to make the kitchen both safe and comfortable for the employees to work in. During the construction of a restaurant, professionals pay serious attention and adhere to all the building and fire safety codes as prescribed by the local authorities. Whether it is the cooking appliances, water supply, drainage, heating and ventilation systems, every part and component of all the systems and units must be designed in a highly effective and accurate manner.
If you plan to build a new restaurant or remodel an existing one, you should reach out to APS Hoods in Denver, CO, a highly trusted company that specializes in commercial kitchen design, exhaust hood installation, HVAC installation, kitchen equipment cleaning, restaurant hood repair, duct repair etc.
Over the last one decade, the restaurant industry has evolved and come a long way. This is to keep pace with the changing demands of the customers as well as the changing codes, laws and regulations.
When you start designing and building a kitchen, the first thing you should do is to familiarize yourself with the recent developments in the restaurant and commercial kitchen industry. If you are up-to-date, it will become easier to build a restaurant and commercial kitchen that caters to the specific needs of the modern-day guests and keep the employees happy. Right from investing in the right type of commercial cooking appliances to the methods of installation, you should carry out every project with a focus on the changing needs. Food safety, food handling practices and waste management should be paid serious attention.
Not just design and construction, but the maintenance of all cooking appliances and equipment in the commercial kitchen is an important concern. That is exactly why it is crucial to work with those professionals who have deep expertise in building a large kitchen from the scratch level.
Designing a Restaurant Floor Plan
A restaurant floor plan contains all the details about the physical arrangement of the cooking appliances and equipment and all other components including refrigerators, stoves, ovens, freezers, mixers, slicers, range hoods, sinks, fire suppression systems, tables, chairs, entrance area, waiting area, windows, doors, emergency exits and a lot more. If you plan to design and construct a large kitchen, the planning stage is of utmost importance. Here, it is extremely important to understand that one size does not fit all, particularly when it comes to designing restaurants and commercial kitchens. Every floor is different and unique.
It is the job of experts to create an ideal floor plan for a restaurant based on the specific needs of that restaurant. Design engineers and professionals are quite well-versed as to how the space can be maximized and made functional and practical for a hassle-free working experience in the kitchen.
Most importantly, the floor plan should be designed in accordance with the building and safety codes. A commercial kitchen is designed for employees in the first place and the dining area for guests in the first place. When a restaurant is designed and constructed, the focus should remain on the needs of the average customer. Apart from APS Hoods, we operate two other sister companies including the Hood Builder and Nationwide Fire Protection to provide clients with a one-stop shop where they can get all services for building a commercial kitchen, completing all the technician works and installation and maintenance of all cooking appliances.
To find out more about what exactly a restaurant and commercial kitchen floor plan will be designed and what it will include, reach out to one of our highly trained professionals at APS Hoods in Denver, CO.
What Equipment You Need in a Commercial Kitchen
The kitchen is the core part of a restaurant. It is the kitchen where all the different types of foods are prepared and dishes are cooked. A commercial kitchen has a wide range of cooking appliances and equipment to perform different functions for proper cooking and food preparation. The actual selection of the kitchen equipment depends on what kind of menu you have for guests.
Here is a list of some of the most important appliances and equipment you will need in your large, commercial kitchen.
Ovens
The moment you think about a restaurant kitchen, oven is the first word that comes to your mind. Before you choose ovens, you should be clear about exactly what type of restaurant you plan to operate. There are both specific ovens as well as multipurpose ovens. It is important to understand that ovens occupy a lot of space inside a kitchen. That is why you need to pick the right size and quality of commercial oven. It is always best to go through online reviews and testimonials before you invest in the right type and brand of commercial ovens. Always go for oven brands that have a solid reputation for providing top quality for years.
With our professionals by your side, you will find it easy to select the right type, size and quality of ovens for your commercial kitchen.
Exhaust Hoods
The air inside a commercial kitchen becomes contaminated and polluted due to the production of a large amount of heat and smoke. The function of exhaust hoods is to throw the contaminated air out in order to maintain better air quality inside the kitchen. There are two main types of kitchen hoods including Type I and Type II. Based on what type of cooking will be done in your commercial kitchen, you will need to select either the Type I or Type II exhaust hoods.
Range hoods or exhaust hoods are one of the most crucial pieces of commercial kitchen equipment. Experts will custom-design exhaust foods to fit the exact needs and size of the cooking station.
Heating and Air Conditioning
A perfect commercial kitchen offers a fully safe and comfortable working environment for employees. Without proper heating and air-conditioning, working inside the kitchen will be extremely difficult and unsafe.
No matter what season or weather it is, a properly installed heating and air-conditioning system will create a safe working environment. However, setting up this entire system requires planning. The heating and air-conditioning system is designed as per the size and type of your kitchen. While correct installation is essential, it is also important to give the system regular maintenance.
Ventilation
Like you design and plan for everything else, you should also plan for kitchen ventilation in a proper manner. Since a lot of people work inside the kitchen, it becomes crowded as well as sweaty.
Using a high quality HVAC system, you will be able to take care of each including heating, ventilation and air-conditioning together. If your kitchen is well-ventilated, the indoor air quality will improve and offer employees a cool and comfortable working environment for the staff. When it comes to the ventilation hood installation, it is very important to carry out the entire project while following all codes and safety regulations. The vent hoods should also be powerful enough to pull out contaminated air and pull in fresh air without any hassle.
HVAC makeup air and ventilation air volume are important considerations during the design and installation of the vent hood system. At APS Hoods in Denver, CO, we possess sound expertise in designing ventilation hood systems as well as provide HVAC service, HVAC repair and HVAC balancing. Feel free to get in touch with one of our experts to get more information.
Food Processors
Food processors are one of the most useful equipment placed in a restaurant kitchen. Whether it is chopping, slicing or blending, food processors make all these tasks feel like a breeze. When looking for these appliances, you will come across different types and varieties. Based on your exact needs, you should purchase the right type of food processors for your commercial kitchen. Some popular types of these processors include Batch bowl food processors, Continuous feed food processors, buffalo choppers etc. Over the years, the design of food processors has also evolved to maximize functions. When looking for these appliances, you should definitely take a look at the products’ horsepower ratings.
Slicers
When it comes to the selection of food slicers, you should take your menu into account. Without having slicers, the staff will have a hard time prepping food. You should always select the most ideal type of food slicers for your commercial kitchen. Slicers are available with different horsepower capacities. If you will do a great deal of slicing in your kitchen, go for high HP slicers.
Freezers and Refrigerators
Refrigerators are essential equipment for storing foods and ingredients. You will need a highly efficient refrigeration system both for storing food as well as managing your inventory. Freezers and refrigerators used in a large kitchen are commercial-grade. These refrigerators are designed to fulfill the specific needs of a commercial kitchen on an everyday basis. Depending on what type of restaurant you plan to build, you can choose either reach-in or walk-in refrigerators.
Walk-in refrigerators are custom-designed to suit the specific needs of large restaurant kitchens. To find out more about what type of refrigeration system will be best for your kitchen, you should seek the help of experts.
Commercial Kitchen Cleaning and Maintenance
Building a large, commercial kitchen is a big investment. That is exactly why you need to pay serious attention to the proper cleaning and maintenance of every area, part and component of the restaurant kitchen.
Giving your commercial kitchen proper maintenance will extend the life of all the appliances, equipment and units. While you may want to do some general cleaning on your own, you should always call in professionals to clean all the commercial-grade equipment and cooking appliances. Without proper training, cleaning these appliances can be unsafe and dangerous. Plus, you may even end up damaging the expensive equipment in the process. Cleaning and maintenance of ovens, refrigeration system, exhaust hood system, cold rooms and fryers requires training and certification. At APS Hoods, we specialize exhaust system cleaning, grease trap cleaning, trash chute cleaning, kitchen equipment cleaning, range hood cleaning and duct cleaning as well as wall and floor cleaning.
Timely cleaning of kitchen equipment and appliances will help you boost efficiency and avoid costly repairs. Our company has a well-defined procedure in place for restaurant hood cleaning. Our professional cleaning includes degreasing the hoods, removal of grease deposits from other components and cleaning the duct work as well as repairing the exhaust hood fan belts.
Why You Should Work with Us
Whether it is the design and construction of a commercial kitchen or its proper cleaning and maintenance, we are your one-stop solution to all the needs. In addition to APS Hoods, we run two other companies to provide you all restaurant-related services under one umbrella. With our expertly trained professionals, you will be able to design and build the restaurant and commercial kitchen of your dreams while staying compliant to all the codes, laws and regulations.
Our track record for accomplishing restaurant building projects is well-proven. We cater to the needs of restaurants, hotels, food establishments, cafeteria, coffee shops and cooking facilities all across Denver, CO.
Talk to a Commercial Kitchen Design Specialist
Do you plan to launch your new restaurant and commercial kitchen soon? Whether you want to open a new one or remodel an existing one, head over to APS Hoods in Denver, CO. Being a restaurant construction and design company, we provide complete restaurant building services including the entire design, construction and maintenance as well as all the technical work. Our professionals will help you set up a restaurant, commercial kitchen, cafeteria, dining establishment or cooking facility while abiding by all the essential codes and regulations.
Along with APS Hoods, we also run Hood Builder and Nationwide Fire Protection to bring you all the restaurant design-related services in one place. For your free consultation with one of our specialists, you can either call our office phone number or write to us using the contact form.
The HVAC is an essential system, which is required by every commercial restaurant or facility to have a safe and healthy work environment. Failure of this system will disrupt the business operations, affecting the bottomline. As a responsible facility manager, you should always keep a close watch on the motors in the HVAC system. If the efficiency of the motor decreases, the entire HVAC system will not give the best output and the working environment will deteriorate. From time to time, you may need to repair or replace the motor altogether to restore the efficiency of the HVAC system in your large restaurant or commercial kitchen.
A worn out motor will take a toll on the HVAC unit and you may need to invest in a new HVAC system as a result. If you plan to avoid this situation and save money, you should keep the motor in great shape.
What Does an HVAC Motor Do?
The HVAC motor or the blower motor is the main component, which conditions air and then helps the cool air circulate throughout the entire space of your kitchen or other commercial facility. The motor spins the fan which moves the air through ducts and vents for proper ventilation.
Even if it is a small size motor, it has enough potential or power to carry a large amount of conditioned air. Modern motors are a lot more powerful than their earlier versions. But their efficiency can still reduce over time. If your facility is outfitted with an HVAC system, you need to focus on the performance of the motor to have the entire unit functioning with maximum efficiency. The motor has a critical role to function to keep the temperature at the correct level, as stated by the thermostat. A well-maintained motor translates to energy bill savings.
Broadly speaking, HVAC motors can be categorized into: Single-speed Motor and Variable-speed Motor. As the name suggests, a single-speed motor operates at just one speed whereas a variable-speed motor has the efficiency to operate at multiple speeds including both lower and higher.
When Your HVAC Motor Needs a Repair
No matter how powerful the motor of your facility’s HVAC system is, it will experience wear and tear as time passes. If your heating, ventilation and air conditioning is not working properly, the motor is often the culprit. If the motor is faulty, technicians can look into the issue and repair it.
Before a motor gets worn out or fails, it gives some signs through which you can identify there is something wrong with your HVAC unit.
Key signs of a faulty HVAC motor include:
Weak airflow from the vents
No airflow comes out of the vents at all
Excessively high energy consumption
Unusual sounds from the HVAC
Overheating the motor
A faulty or worn out motor has a hard time doing its job. So, the first sign of the problem is little or no airflow at all from the vents. This often happens when the quality of the motor has deteriorated or the accumulation of dirt and dust inside. If the HVAC system of your facility makes some unusual or strange sounds, there can be a problem with the motor. It is also common for a faulty motor to get overheated. An experienced technician will conduct an inspection to diagnose the exact problem with the motor and then fix it, if the motor parts are repairable.
At APS Hoods, we have a highly competent team of technicians who specialize in the troubleshooting and repair of a wide range of HVAC motors. We offer effective solutions to restore the efficiency of the motor.
When to Replace Your HVAC Motor
Even when most problems in the blower motor can be fixed with a repair, it may not always be the best solution.
Even if you have the HVAC motor repaired by a technician, problems can still arise in the future. Imagine if the blower motor malfunctions over and over again and how it will affect your overall business operations. That is why going for a replacement is a sensible decision in many cases.
If you have issues with your HVAC motor, you should first reach out to our highly skilled team at APS Hoods and schedule an inspection. Our technicians will get to the root of the problem and then suggest the most ideal solution to resolve the problem. If the issue is repairable and the option is feasible too, our professionals will repair the faulty blower motor in a proper manner. If a repair does not look feasible, you will need to replace the old motor with a new one.
You Should Rely Only on Qualified HVAC Technicians
Whether it is a repair or a replacement, you should always hire an HVAC contractor which has a solid reputation and extensive experience in fixing all types and models of commercial HVAC motors.
That is where the role of APS Hoods gains importance. Our company has specialization in motor seal, repair and replacement. Also, we deal in superior quality blower motors manufactured by reputed brands. Our professionals have expertise in the selection of the right model and size of motor to suit the specific needs of your HVAC system. We employ the latest tools and up-to-the-minute technology to evaluate the efficiency of the motor and can accurately point out which parts have a problem. After an assessment of your facility’s needs, our specialists will provide you the most ideal solution to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Talk to an HVAC Motor Technician
Commercial HVAC systems consume a high amount of emergency and impact the cost of operation in a considerable way. Timely repair and replacement of the blower motor is a surefire way of reducing these expenses.
If you have noticed problems with your facility’s HVAC system, chances are there are faults in the motor. Talk to one of our highly skilled and qualified HVAC technicians to get an inspection and find the most effective solution to the problem. Our motor seal, repair and replacement services are aimed at bringing down your facility’s operating costs and increase the bottomline. Also, we have a range of top quality, branded HVAC blower motors on sale. You can reach out to us via a quick phone call or write us an email using the contact form.
No matter when your HVAC system fails, it will cause discomfort to the kitchen staff and disrupt business. If you have outfitted your commercial kitchen with an HVAC system, you should get a timely inspection and quickly troubleshoot issues so that repair can be affordable. Ignoring or delaying repairs of the system can lead to costly repairs later. Worse still, you may need to replace the entire unit with a new one for proper indoor quality, health, and safety. Always seek the services of professionals to maintain your HVAC system in an effective manner.Outages happen mainly due to a lack of maintenance. Therefore, it is key to understand the importance of regular maintenance.
An HVAC or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition system is installed to heat or cool a building or facility. It keeps the space cool during summers and warm during winters. Key components of the system include an A/C unit, heat pump, furnace, etc. The main purpose of designing and installing such a system is to comply with the environmental requirements for the comfort of people.You’ll find the usage of HVAC systems in a wide range of facilities including industrial, commercial, and residential.
HVAC Inspection
Once you have outfitted your commercial kitchen or restaurant with a high quality HVAC system, it should be your top priority to keep it operational at all times. No matter what time of the year it is, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system should work properly to meet your facility’s comfort needs. Regular inspection is a surefire way to maintain a proper HVAC system. At the APS Hoods, we provide HVAC inspection by highly experienced professionals.The HVAC inspection procedure consists of multiple steps. Each step should be carried out in a correct and safe manner by experienced professionals while adhering to all the necessary safety guidelines.
Run a Thermostat Test:
The system inspection begins with a thermostat test in which the HVAC technician finds out whether it is working in an efficient manner. The technician checks whether the heating and cooling mechanisms have any issues when turned on and turned off.
Inspect Air Filters:
The function of HVAC air filters is to purify the air of impurities such as dust, dander, pollen, etc. The inspection finds out whether the air filters are in good condition to properly purify the air.
Evaluate Air Flow:
Measuring the airflow through the HVAC ducts and equipment is an important step in the overall inspection process. If the airflow is not proper, the system will not heat and cool the facility in an efficient manner. So, the technician finds out whether the airflow rate is at a typical level.
Check Refrigerant Level:
Low refrigerant level prolongs the time taken for the HVAC system to cool off the space. Ultimately, it leads to high energy consumption. During the inspection, the technician checks whether the refrigerant level is optimum for the AC unit to function properly.
Check Heater/ Furnace:
It is crucial to inspect if the heater or the furnace is working with maximum efficiency. In order to do that, the HVAC technician turns on the heating element and then measures the temperature of the air. Insufficient heating means the heating element has an issue.
Check the Blower Motor:
The blower motor is a crucial component of every HVAC system. If it does not operate properly, the system will not give the desired results. The technician will inspect the motor and find out if it has any issues. Loud or unusual noises coming from the motor mean there is something wrong. There are many other warning signs of a faulty HVAC motor as well.
Other Components:
In addition to these, there are multiple other components that need to be inspected. The HVAC technician will conduct an inspection of each and every part of the system including the condenser, evaporation coil, and all the electrical parts as well as the compressor.During the inspection, the HVAC technician will also level the unit and clean the filters as well as the evaporator coil. The goal of the inspection is to find out the overall efficiency of all the units of the HVAC system. Once the job is done, the technician will prepare a detailed report of the inspection for your understanding. If the HVAC system or any of its components has a problem, a proper inspection will bring it to light so that you can get the maintenance or required repair. If you plan for a professional inspection of your facility’s HVAC system, reach out to one of our highly experienced technicians at the APS Hoods in Denver, Colorado.
The goal of troubleshooting is to identify and solve issues. If you plan to quickly fix the problems with your restaurant’s HVAC system, you need to get troubleshooting done by highly skilled technicians. At the APS Hoods, our professionals perform troubleshooting of a wide range of HVAC systems and diagnose and establish a plan of action to fix the problems in a professional manner.HVAC troubleshooting by an expert involves the identification of a problem, diagnosing the problem correctly, and then developing and implementing a plan of action, and then verifying the system for functionality. Most of all, the technician documents every detail of the entire procedure for your record. In order to diagnose problems with the HVAC system, technicians first begin with the visible components and then work their way to the inner parts of the system. So, the HVAC technician will first troubleshoot whether the system has power. Next, the specialist will move on to the service panel and see if the circuit breaker has tripped or not. The heater or the furnace and the A/C unit each have their own circuit breaker or fuse. If the fuse has tripped, broken, or blown, the troubleshooting will reveal the fault for the removal or replacement of the circuit breaker. The next step in HVAC troubleshooting is to check the thermostat for power.The HVAC troubleshooting involves checking the furnace, the air conditioner, and the ventilation units. Experienced technicians employ a wide variety of techniques and tools to carry out the troubleshooting in a proper manner. The technician checks the HVAC air conditioning unit for air filters circuit breakers, vents, outages etc. The outside A/C unit is also checked during the process. At the APS Hoods, we have an expert team of highly qualified, trained, and experienced technicians for professional troubleshooting of all sizes and models of HVAC systems.
HVAC Repair
It is not uncommon for HVAC systems to develop various kinds of issues over time. Most minor issues will go away with maintenance and cleaning of the coils and the filters. Regular servicing and preventive maintenance are key to avoiding a number of HVAC issues. Other problems will require immediate attention from the facility manager or the owner of the restaurant. What is important is that you keep a close watch on the performance of your facility’s HVAC system. As soon as you spot any problem with the system, you should call inexperienced HVAC technicians.Key signs that you need HVAC repair include:
Change in Airflow:
If there is a change in the airflow of your HVAC system, it will not cool off in an effective manner. Slower than normal airflow takes its toll on the efficiency of the system and the A/C unit does not get as cold as it used to be. This can be an indication of a problem with the compressor. So, you should get in touch with an HVAC technician for the required repair.
High Energy Bill:
A steady monthly bill means your HVAC system is functioning in a proper manner. But if the bill amount continues to increase month after month, this is a warning sign. If there is something potentially wrong with the system, the consumption of energy will be higher. It usually happens with the change in season. Fluctuations in the energy bill should be taken as a warning sign and you should immediately seek the help of professionals to get repairs done.
Old Age:
Different kinds of problems will arise as your HVAC system gets older. Every type and model of HVAC has a certain lifespan. Once it passes that period, you should expect to see problems. While regular preventive maintenance can prolong the lifespan by a couple of years, it can not fully restore the previous efficiency level. Either the problems will go away with repairs or you will ultimately need to replace your old HVAC system with a new one.
Noises and Smells:
If your HVAC system makes unusual sounds, it is a sign there is something wrong. Not just sounds, but the machinery also begins to give off smells like that of dirty socks. Noises and smells coming from the system mean you need repair services as soon as possible.
Moisture or Dust Buildup:
Excessive deposits of moisture or dust in your commercial kitchen or restaurant facility signal a problem with the HVAC system. Such problems will possibly require the cleaning of the entire system, vent hood cleaning, and duct cleaning. The technician will find out and fix if there are other problems that lead to the excessive dust buildup.
Power Failure:
A sudden power failure of the HVAC system is a potential sign there is a problem. If the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment gets turned off or the circuit breakers trip frequently, you should call in HVAC specialists to troubleshoot and carry out the necessary repairs. If you ignore these signs, it can take a toll on the electrical components of the system.Seeking the help of professionals for timely repairs will save you both money and time. At the APS Hoods, we have an expertly trained team of professional technicians to carry out all kinds of HVAC repairs. Getting the repairs done without any delay will help you run your restaurant business smoothly as well as avoid damage to other components of the HVAC system. Feel free to talk to one of our HVAC specialists for further details on HVAC system repair service.
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If you have an HVAC system installed in your commercial facility, you should give it timely maintenance and repair to prolong its lifespan. Whether you have noticed strange furnace noises, thermostat malfunctions, mechanical wear and tear, water leaks, or ignition problems, you should always rely on experienced technicians for high quality services. If your commercial kitchen or restaurant is located in Denver, CO, you should head straight to the APS Hoods for expert installation, inspection, troubleshooting, and repair of a wide range of HVAC systems.Schedule your free HVAC consultation with one of our specialists to find out how we can help you fix the problems with your facility’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to increase efficiency and lower your energy bills. You can reach out to our Denver office via a quick phone call or email. Read More Articles:
Every commercial kitchen needs to fulfill some legal requirements in order to operate in a healthy and safe manner. Heat, smoke, and grease are consistently produced in a large cooking facility. As a result of this, the indoor air in the kitchen gets contaminated and unsafe for employees. In fact, an unsafe kitchen atmosphere also takes a toll on the other areas of the restaurant. That is exactly why every facility manager needs to install a ventilation system in their kitchen. Commercial vent hoods play a crucial role by allowing a large kitchen or restaurant to properly remove the contaminated indoor air and replace it with fresh air from outside.Commercial vent hoods vary in terms of type, size, and design to match the specific needs of a large kitchen facility. In this article, we will talk about the commercial vent hood, how it works and how the kitchen hood is installed, repaired, cleaned, and replaced in a professional manner.
A commercial vent hood is a device that is installed over the cooking station or appliance to facilitate ventilation.A commercial vent hood is called by different names such as exhaust hood, range hood, and kitchen hood. The function of the vent hood is to pull out the contaminated indoor air of the kitchen. The exhaust hood also improves the indoor air quality by bringing down the deposits of smoke and grease.
Types of Commercial Vent Hoods
Broadly speaking, all commercial kitchen hoods fall under two categories: Type I and Type II. The range hoods can be differentiated from each other on the basis of what type of materials they filter out.
Type I Vent Hood:
This vent hood is specially designed to remove smoke, heat, and grease from the kitchen. Hence, it is also termed grease hoods. Inside a commercial kitchen, you will find Type I hoods mounted over cooking appliances such as deep fryers, grills, broilers, etc.
Type II Vent Hood:
This vent hood is designed to throw out moisture such as steam and vapor from the indoor air. In addition to these, some range hoods can also remove odor from the indoor air. You will often find these hoods fitted in a cafeteria over coffee machines, pasta cookers, rice cookers, and some pizza ovens. These hoods are also referred to as condensate hoods.Which type of commercial vent hood to use depends on what type of cooking you do in your commercial kitchen, cafeteria, or restaurant. Type II vent hoods do not have grease filtering capacity. Before you install a vent hood, you should seek the help of an expert hood builder or hood design specialist. If you are in Denver, CO, you should feel free to talk to one of our experts at APS Hoods.
Commercial Vent Hood Design
The design of all commercial vent hoods is not the same. Based on the specific layout of your kitchen, you need to opt for a suitable design. To finalize the hood design, you will need to consult with professionals.Three most common vent hood designs include:
Wall Canopy Hoods:
These exhaust hoods are hung on the wall, right behind the cooking equipment in the kitchen. They are mounted in a way that they remain stretched out over the cooking appliances.
Island Canopy Hoods:
These vent hoods hang from the ceiling, above the cooking equipment in the kitchen. The specific design is used where the cooking equipment is located away from the walls. One key feature of this design is that all four sides of this canopy hood remain open. Island canopy hoods require a much stronger exhaust fan than those fitted in other hoods.
Low Proximity Hoods:
These vent hoods are located in close proximity to the cooking equipment and appliances, hence the name. Also referred to as back shelf hoods, the low proximity hoods are installed in commercial kitchens where the cooking equipment is placed at counter-height.When it comes to vent hood installation, the design of the hood is of utmost importance. If the hood design is not proper and suitable for your kitchen’s needs, the quality of the ventilation will be affected.
Commercial vent hoods are fitted over the cooking appliances in a kitchen. As the cooking goes on, a motor-powered fan pulls the contaminated air and other particles into the ventilation machine.Next, the contaminated air passes through the ductwork, which remains attached to the ventilation unit. In this way, the heat, smoke, grease, vapor and other particles are expelled outside. The hood system also has a make-up air device, which replaces the removed air with fresh air from outside. The entire unit functions to keep the indoor kitchen air fresh and cool.
Vent Hood Installation
Installation of vent hoods or range hoods in commercial kitchens is a detailed procedure involving multiple steps. Setting up the hoods is not just about selecting the most ideal type and design. But it is also about meeting the local laws and regulatory guidelines for the safe and hassle-free operation of the restaurant facility. If the building and fire safety codes are not followed in a proper manner, you should expect to fail inspections and face many kinds of safety hazards.The vent hood should be designed and installed to effectively manage the amount of exhaust that will be produced in a commercial kitchen. If the hood is larger than the required size, energy bills will go up. On the other hand, smaller vent hoods will fail to properly ventilate the kitchen area.In order for the installation to be proper and as per exact need, you will need to fulfill these specific requirements:
Minimum overhang requirements should be at least 6 inches.
The elevation range should not surpass 4 feet.
Installation of a Type I hood should also have a fire suppression system.
One type of hood cannot replace another.
The vent hood installation requirements will vary depending on whether the range hood being installed is Type I or Type II. In fact, the regulatory guidelines for different hood types are also different. Placement of the hoods at the correct height, approval of the materials, proper grease duct support, and proper air displacement are other important guidelines that must be adhered to.At APS Hoods in Denver, CO, we specialize in the professional installation of a variety of commercial vent hoods and designs. Let us help you outfit your kitchen facility with a safe and legal vent hood system.
Vent Hood Repair
The overall functioning efficiency of a kitchen HVAC system depends on the quality and condition of the vent hood. Since the vent hood or the range hood works very hard in a commercial kitchen setting, it also needs repair from time to time. When the vent hood needs repair or maintenance, it will give you some warning signs that you should never ignore. Any negligence in this regard can worsen the problem even more leading to costly repair or full replacement.Key signs of commercial vent hood repair include:
Haze in the kitchen or other areas of the restaurant
Hot and smokey restaurant facility
The exhaust fan motor makes loud noises
Defective control board or electrical issues
Odors do not go away
Smoke hovers in the kitchen
Problem with heating and cooling unit
If you come across any of these issues, this means the vent hood of your kitchen range hood system is in need of repair. Multiple issues can arise as a result of a failed vent hood. If the vent hood does not function with full efficiency, the gravest danger you can face is the risk of a kitchen fire. So, always keep an eye out for minor issues and have them repaired by qualified experts as soon as you can. Most issues are related to the exhaust fan or the make-up air fan of the kitchen vent hood.At APS Hoods, we have a highly trained and qualified team of technicians who can repair all kinds of problems with the vent hood. Give us a quick phone call and we will dispatch our specialists to diagnose the root cause of every commercial vent hood issue and fix it in a swift and correct manner.
Vent Hood Cleaning
The kitchen vent hood needs to be cleaned in a proper and timely manner. While you will often remember to clean the flyers and the oven in your commercial kitchen, the vent hoods are often overlooked.The vent hood is a magnet for deposits of grease and other contaminants. These buildups do not just ruin the indoor air quality, but they increase the risk of a fire in the kitchen manifolds. As per the NFPA guidelines, you should get the vent hoods cleaned by professionals every few months or once a year. The frequency of vent hood cleaning depends on the volume of cooking done in the kitchen. Right from cleaning the grease traps and the filters to cleaning the interiors as well as the exteriors of the hood, every component requires proper cleaning.Get in touch with APS Hoods for proper cleaning of every part of the commercial vent hood installed in your kitchen. Whether it is the essential components or the interior and the exterior of the kitchen hood, our technicians will properly degrease, wipe off and clean the entire vent hood.
Kitchen Vent Hood Replacement
When the hood components have worn out completely or sustained damage beyond repair, it is time for their replacement.APS Hoods is a highly trusted supplier of all range hoods parts for large kitchens, dining centers, food service facilities, and other commercial cooking establishments. Our kitchen vent hoods are one of the most durable you will find in the market. Whether it is the quality of vent hood parts and accessories or compliance issues, you can always rely on our company for the best service.
Talk to a Commercial Vent Hood Specialist
If you still have a question about kitchen vent hoods or need expert help with the repair, cleaning, or replacement of your facility’s range hood, head straight to APS Hoods in Denver, CO. Our specialists will educate you on every crucial aspect of the vent hood as well as the entire exhaust hood system. Our goal is to ensure you have a highly efficient vent hood in your restaurant facility so as to ensure a safe and comfortable atmosphere for your kitchen staff and guests.
You can reach out to us via a quick phone call or send us an email using the contact form given on our website.
Image SourceDenver, CO –While commercial kitchens always run hotter than dining areas, in the summertime–restaurant kitchens become can become hazardously hot. Furthermore, restaurant owners find that their energy bills–from cooling, fan use, and unbalanced air, etc.–increase dramatically. This ends up leeching resources from their profits. It also makes summer an ideal time to fine-tune and check your commercial kitchen HVAC system professionally. Here are some common problems that may be plaguing your restaurant in the warmer months:
Call APS-Hoods for a free estimate on your Commercial Kitchen Hood Cleaning & Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning needs.
Is your air conditioning bill incredibly high, while your establishment always seems inadequately cool? What may be happening is that your cold, conditioned air is being circulated out of your exhaust hood due to a lack of make-up air. Instead of just doing its job of pulling gasses and hot air from above the stove, the exhaust hood can sometimes suck out the desirable air from inside your building. This often creates a vacuum effect in your entire restaurant, where it becomes difficult to open doors without them slamming you upon closing. The solution to this problem is as simple as installing a makeup-air unit.This kind of unit in your kitchen will generate much needed negative air pressure that will disallow unpleasant smells from flowing out into your general building, while also not letting your air-conditioned air to so easily escaping through the vents.
Grease Filters Making Your Ventilation Ineffective
Spring, and especially summer, tend to be the busiest and most profitable month for any restaurant. People are out and about on the town, looking for new eateries to discover. This brings many more people to your establishment than during the harsher seasons of the year. However, the increased amount of cooking also results in clogged grease traps, which may need to be changed out more often than recommended.Clogged grease filters can cause your kitchen to overheat. Then, your air will become unclean, as a dirty filter cannot function at top capacity. This will cause both the kitchen and dining area to become smoky or otherwise unpleasant in odor. Moreover, your air conditioning bill will rise ever higher, while your exhaust fan will need to work harder to compensate for all these issues. This makes for employee health dangers, customer discomfort/dissatisfaction, and higher bills for you!It is easy for even the most disciplined restaurant crew to forget to monitor their grease filters, but it is necessary to keep tabs on the situation to maintain the optimal function of your HVAC system. It is smart to schedule routine filter changes throughout the Spring and Summer when business really picks up. Learn more about: Grease Management Tips for Restaurant Cleanliness & Fire PreventionFor an air balancing test to determine whether your cold air is being cycled out of your establishment or, for grease filter service, call APS Hoods. We will help your restaurant to remain safe and help you to save money on energy bills.Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Millionairium and Farazandeh are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
Image SourceDenver, CO – The same exhaust fans that are keeping your commercial kitchen comfortable and protecting the area from overheating may also be creating air imbalance problems throughout your establishment. Because the size, design, door, and window placement of every building varies, the mechanism by which the atmosphere of your restaurant can best be corrected is most accurately established by an HVAC professional. They can provide what is called a Makeup Air service, which essentially replaces the air lost through hood fans with a special unit, which avoids some of the problems which present themselves when air from other areas of the home or building replace that lost air.
Call APS-Hoods for a free estimate on your Commercial Kitchen Hood Cleaning & Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning needs.
If the exhaust fan was not installed/incorrectly installed, or simply, if the makeup air from the fans is not enough to replace the air exiting from the stove area, negative air pressure can occur. Negative air pressure creates a sort of vacuum in your space, where windows and doors can shut suddenly, dust particles can settle fast onto surfaces or food, and whistle-like noises can also persist when air is let out or into space. These are very undesirable conditions for a dining or cooking area because of hygiene reasons as well as the disruption of ambiance this can create.
Draft-back
With negative air pressure sucking everything back into your space, the gasses that are supposed to be going out from your chimney will actually come back in, creating a health hazard. This can set off carbon monoxide detectors and threaten the safety of your patrons and employees.
Inefficiencies in Hoods
The exhaust hood, unaided by the sufficient amount of make-up air, will–in turn–not be able to process the amount of air it was designed to handle. Over time, you will notice a buildup of grease and grime on your kitchen surfaces. Also, unpleasant cooking and other smells will seep into all the space pockets of your building, including the dining areas, where patrons are trying to enjoy their food!
