Restaurant Exhaust and Make Up Air Systems in Maple Grove, MN & surrounding areas

Restaurant kitchens generate intense heat, smoke, grease particles, and cooking odors that require specialized ventilation solutions. We design and install comprehensive exhaust and make up air systems that maintain proper air balance while ensuring kitchen comfort and safety. These systems work in tandem to remove contaminated air while replacing it with fresh, tempered air, creating an environment where kitchen staff can work efficiently and comfortably throughout long service periods.

The importance of proper ventilation extends beyond comfort to encompass critical health and safety requirements. Commercial kitchens produce airborne grease particles that can accumulate in ductwork, creating fire hazards if not properly managed. Additionally, gas-fired cooking equipment consumes oxygen and produces carbon monoxide, making adequate ventilation essential for maintaining safe indoor air quality. Our systems address these challenges while optimizing energy efficiency and operational costs.

Components of Professional Kitchen Ventilation

A complete restaurant ventilation system consists of multiple integrated components working together seamlessly. Exhaust hoods capture heat, smoke, and grease-laden vapors directly at their source above cooking equipment. We size these hoods according to equipment type, cooking processes, and local code requirements to ensure complete capture of contaminants. The exhaust fans create negative pressure that draws contaminated air through the hood and ductwork, expelling it safely outside the building.

Make up air units replace the exhausted air with fresh outdoor air, preventing negative building pressure that can cause drafts, difficulty opening doors, and improper operation of other HVAC equipment. We calculate precise air volumes to maintain balanced pressure while providing comfortable working conditions. These units include heating and cooling capabilities to temper incoming air, preventing uncomfortable drafts in winter and reducing cooling loads in summer. Advanced controls coordinate exhaust and make up air operation, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining required ventilation rates.

Design Considerations and Code Compliance

Proper system design requires careful analysis of kitchen layout, equipment specifications, and operational requirements. We evaluate cooking equipment BTU ratings, hood placement, and capture velocities to ensure effective contaminant removal. Local building codes and NFPA standards dictate minimum exhaust rates, hood construction requirements, and fire suppression integration. Our designs exceed these minimums when necessary to achieve optimal performance for specific cooking operations.

Energy efficiency plays an increasingly important role in system design. We incorporate demand-controlled ventilation that adjusts fan speeds based on actual cooking activity, reducing energy consumption during slower periods. Heat recovery systems capture waste heat from exhaust air to preheat incoming make up air, significantly reducing heating costs. Variable frequency drives on fans provide precise airflow control while minimizing electrical consumption. These efficiency measures typically provide payback periods of two to four years through reduced utility costs.

Installation and Integration Excellence

Professional installation ensures systems perform as designed while meeting all code requirements. We coordinate with kitchen equipment suppliers, fire suppression contractors, and building automation systems to create fully integrated solutions. Our installation teams understand the unique challenges of working in active restaurant environments, minimizing disruption to operations through careful scheduling and efficient work practices.

• Ductwork fabrication and installation: using appropriate materials and gauges for grease-laden exhaust applications
• Electrical connections: including control wiring and variable frequency drive programming
• Fire suppression integration: ensuring proper interlock with exhaust fans and make up air units
• Control system programming: establishing proper sequencing and temperature control strategies
• Testing and balancing: verifying design airflows and system performance

Maintenance Programs for Long-Term Performance

Regular maintenance preserves system efficiency and extends equipment life while ensuring continued code compliance. We develop customized maintenance programs based on cooking volume, menu types, and equipment specifications. Grease accumulation rates vary significantly between operations, requiring tailored cleaning schedules. High-volume operations cooking fatty foods may require monthly hood cleaning, while lighter-duty applications might need quarterly service.

Our maintenance services include comprehensive system inspections, identifying potential issues before they cause failures. We clean and adjust exhaust fans, replace filters in make up air units, verify control operation, and document system performance. This proactive approach minimizes unexpected breakdowns that could force restaurant closures. First opening our doors in 1980, Heating & Cooling Two, Inc., Inc. remains a family-owned and operated HVAC company dedicated to keeping Rogers, Dayton, Osseo, Champlin, Maple Grove, Otsego, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Corcoran, Anoka, Brooklyn Center, Medina, New Hope, Crystal, Wayzata, Orono, and Minnetonka, MN restaurants operating smoothly. We’ve devoted over four decades to evolving, expanding, and streamlining our services to the benefit of our customers.

Upgrading Existing Systems

Many older restaurants operate with outdated ventilation systems that waste energy and provide inadequate performance. We assess existing systems to identify upgrade opportunities that improve efficiency, enhance kitchen comfort, and ensure code compliance. Modern control systems can dramatically reduce operating costs while improving temperature control and air quality throughout Maple Grove, MN & surrounding areas.

By always prioritizing people over profit, we’ve earned our spot as the premier HVAC contractor in the Twin Cities metro area. We look forward to fulfilling your needs to higher standards through innovative ventilation solutions that support your culinary success.