Improved Air Flow and Performance of a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Fan
Food service buildings use more energy per square foot than commercial buildings. While it’s vital for food service operations, the kitchen ventilation system is also a major contributor to this high energy consumption. They remove heat, smoke, grease, as well as steam and carbon monoxide from the kitchen. Poorly maintained ventilation systems not only waste energy but also reduce safety and worker productivity.
Knowing how the kitchen ventilation system works is key to improving system performance and energy efficiency. A basic ventilation system, which is designed to manage kitchen effluents and other pollutants, includes the commercial kitchen exhaust fan, hood, ductwork, and canopy. Let’s break down the parts of your commercial kitchen exhaust fan:
The Hood
The hood collects the cloud of heated air (including liquid, gaseous, and solid contaminants) that rises from your cooking surface. The grease filtering system is a key component. It typically uses one or more of these technologies.
Mesh Filters
These are made up of layers of metal mesh that trap grease and other contaminants as the air passes through them. They cannot remove high amounts of grease and should be cleaned regularly.
Baffle Filters
Separate grease from the air stream by changing the air speed and direction. They are more efficient and can be washed in dishwashing machines.
Cartridge Filter
Is suitable for medium to heavy grease environments. These stainless-steel filters can also be washed in commercial kitchen dishwashers.
Water Wash
Cleans cartridges using an internal washing machine. They are usually difficult to undefined and require hot water.
Continuous Water Spray
Is an effective system for removing grease. It works by spraying a constant mist of cold water into the extraction system. The fats are emulsified before being dropped into a collection tray.
Ultraviolet (UV)
Is a newly developed technology that integrates UV light into the hood. The exhaust airflow carries the light out of the hood, where it breaks down grease molecules and makes smaller compounds of water vapour and carbon dioxide.
Your Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Fan
These are the three types of commercial kitchen exhaust fans that are most commonly found in commercial kitchens:
Upblast
These fans are aluminium mushroom-shaped and can be found on restaurant roofs. They emit kitchen exhaust from the roof. Direct drive is an innovation that doesn’t require a drive belt. Direct-drive enthusiasts can save energy by running at variable speeds.
Utility Sets
These roof mounted units can handle large amounts of air and high temperatures due to their steel construction. They are easy-to-clean, which reduces maintenance costs and increases equipment life.
Inline
Although these axial fans are rarely used in food service environments, they can be useful in areas with minimal grease.
Ductwork
Ductwork for cooking exhaust systems is typically made of 16–18 gauge stainless steel. It should be liquid-tight, easy to clean, and routed vertically as far as possible to the roof with as few turns as possible.
How to Increase Kitchen Ventilation Efficiency
- These easy steps will help you save time and maintain a safe, comfortable environment in your kitchen.
- To compensate for the loss of air by the ventilation system, make sure that the correct amount of makeup air is being introduced to the kitchen. Too much or too little makeup can make ventilation systems less efficient. Incorporate your kitchen ventilation units into the heating, ventilating, and commercial air conditioning in Perth (HVAC), bringing air from nearby work areas or serving areas.
- You can arrange cooking appliances according to how much effluent they produce. You should specify different ventilation rates. If you are using heavy effluents, like char broilers, place the appliance in the middle of the hood section and not at the end.
- Exhaust fans with adjustable speed control are a good option if your kitchen is equipped with a variety or variable number of cooking appliances.
- Reduce the makeup air velocity around the canopy or hood to no more than 1.3 km per hour.
- Make sure that access panels are correctly installed and sealed. Also, ensure that all sections and ductwork can be cleaned.
Is an Electric Heat Pump Right for Your Kitchen?
- Air quality improved
- Lower operating costs
- A quieter workspace
- More controlled environments
- A smaller carbon footprint
Allfield can help businesses make major energy efficiency improvements with new equipment and construction.
Any commercial or industrial customer who is building a new facility or looking to replace old equipment, including their Perth commercial refrigeration or Perth commercial air conditioning, should contact our team of experts today.
Benefits
Better Air Quality
An electric heat pump filters and circulates air to make a building healthier.
Lower Operating Expenses
Heat pumps can generate one-and-a half to three times as much heat energy as the electricity that they use. This efficiency can result in savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars per year on cooling and heating.
A Quieter Workplace
The loud, jarring sounds of a furnace or pipes moving through an oil-or coal-fired heating system can cause disruptions in the workplace. An electric heat pump is a lot quieter and will make for a more enjoyable workplace.
More Control
Heat pump technology allows for rapid and simple temperature control. A heat pump system brings warm air into a space to heat it. It also removes the heat and replaces it with cool air during the warmer months.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
The heat pump doesn’t burn any heat energy, so there is no additional carbon emission other than the electrical energy needed to operate the compressor.
So, What’s Next?
- Contact Airfield for assistance.
- We will review your proposal and offer the best solution for your requirements. We offer to undefined only the necessary energy-efficient equipment, including Perth commercial refrigeration and Perth commercial air conditioning.
- Enjoy a healthier and more efficient heating and cooling system that is better for your workplace and the environment.
Allfield will either install your cooling and heating equipment or upgrade your existing system. Get in touch today and improve your kitchen’s performance.
