^Commissary Restaurant in LA has to have pitch perfect HVAC because of its unique building and decor
If you own a restaurant, or another commercial space, in Northwest Arkansas or Northern Texas, then you know the importance of providing a comfortable environment for your patrons and employees.
An illustration – imagine you’re going out for a fancy dinner with your family after a hot, humid day. When you enter the restaurant, you’re disappointed because the air inside is almost as muggy as it is outdoors.
Even though the food tastes great and the servers are attentive (although they all look a little sweaty), you rush through dinner to avoid being uncomfortable any longer. As you drive home, you consider writing a somewhat negative review about your experience.
Don’t let your patrons or employees experience this! Instead, keep reading to learn more about the unique challenges of proper heating, cooling and ventilation in restaurants as well as how to overcome them.
The challenges of a restaurant HVAC system
According to ENERGY STAR, a U.S. government program, the average restaurant uses five to seven times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings. And fast food restaurants can use up to ten times more!
Why is this the case?
Well, the amount of refrigeration and lighting required eats up a lot of energy, but kitchen operations also put a lot of extra stress on your HVAC system. For example, smoke, food particles, and grease from cooking can build up in your system quickly.
Also, the equipment in your kitchen such as grills and ovens adds a lot of heat to the air, requiring more cooling throughout the day. Add in the humidity from running the dishwasher and your kitchen environment could start to resemble a rainforest.
These factors are further complicated by the multiple systems a restaurant requires: On a cold day, you may need to provide heat to your seated patrons while keeping the kitchen cool for your cooks.
The importance of regular maintenance
To stay ahead of issues, we recommend that you invest in high-quality, efficient HVAC equipment and accessories (hard start kits, surge protectors, etc.). If your restaurant is in an old building and has an old system (10 or 15 years old), then we recommend you get bi-yearly maintenance to keep a close eye on parts that are on their last legs.
In fact, bi-yearly maintenance is recommended for brand-new systems too. If you do this, it’s likely your system will function at a high level for a long time. Some companies, such as Absolute Heat & Air, provide a service program to help customers save cash while keeping up with regular maintenance.
When the Absolute Heat & Air team performs maintenance checks, we make sure to test the overall health of your HVAC system, replace your air filters, and document anything that may need replacement or repair in the future. This will help keep your business comfortable for everyone inside.
Other ways to stay proactive
In addition to keeping up with a maintenance schedule, you should also stay on top of issues as they arise. Make it clear to your employees that they can talk to you about problems such as feeling too hot or cold at work.
When monitoring your reviews, remember to take note of any customer complaints about temperature, air quality, and smell. These problems can likely be mitigated through better heating, cool and ventilation.
Lastly, installing a smart programmable thermostat can help you save money on energy bills, especially if your restaurant is regularly closed during certain days of the week or hours of the day.
Absolute Heat & Air is proud to provide professional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), smart technology, and indoor air quality services to the Northwest Arkansas & Gainesville, Texas areas. If you’re experiencing any issues with the system in your commercial or residential property, don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking here.
