There’s no denying the importance of having good air quality in both the kitchen and the dining areas of restaurants. If you’re experiencing some of these common problems with your restaurant hood system, it might be time to upgrade. Whether it’s your upblast exhaust fan, your restaurant hood system, or grease containment, a well-maintained ventilation system will keep your staff and customers more comfortable, keep your kitchen cleaner, and greatly reduce your risk of fire.
Commercial kitchen exhaust system improve air quality by removing grease, smoke, and heat produced by cooking. There’s no denying that indoor air quality and hood ventilation system is a major concern for all businesses in the food service industry, both big and small. While improving air quality is one of the best reasons to keep your restaurant hood system up to date, there are also other reasons.
So how do you know if it’s time to make updates to your existing restaurant hood system? There are some common problems to look out for, and missing these signs may not only cause uncomfortable dining and working conditions, they may even put your team and your guests in danger.
What is a restaurant hood system?
Commercial kitchen exhaust systems consist of multiple parts. The main components are your restaurant hood system, the grease duct, and your exhaust fan. Other components include hood filters, fire suppression systems, grease catchers, rooftop grease containment, roof curbs, makeup air supply, and duct access panels. Regular maintenance to your commercial kitchen ventilation is critical to ensuring that the system is able to work properly and prevent potentially dangerous problems. Sometimes a little maintenance and cleaning isn’t enough. Occasionally your restaurant equipment may need to be replaced. Let’s take a look at 5 common problems that mean you might need to upgrade your commercial ventilation and exhaust equipment.
Common Restaurant Hood System Problems
1. Frequent Equipment Breakdowns
It should probably go without saying but you’d be surprised at how many commercial kitchens ignore frequent restaurant hood system breakdowns and service calls to repeatedly fix various components. Still, it’s probably the single most obvious sign that a part of your exhaust system needs to be replaced. Has your system has become unreliable? Do you have to shut down your kitchen for repairs on a regular basis? If troubleshooting tips aren’t helping you, it’s probably time to replace it. When you do, you might find there’s an even better option than you currently had. Today’s commercial kitchen exhaust system components are often more efficient and cost effective. They may also have new and improved safety features.
2. Physical Damage to a Component
Have you noticed physical damage to any part of your restaurant hood system? Whether it’s your vent hood or your upblast exhaust fan, the last thing you should do is try to fix it yourself. Not only could it cause more problems, it could also lead to a dangerous situation. Instead, call a professional. They can quickly tell you if the exhaust system component can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
3. Negative Air Pressure
Negative air pressure happens when the air that is removed by your commercial kitchen exhaust system isn’t properly replaced by your makeup air unit. This unbalanced air pressure can cause doors to easily slam shut or become very difficult to open which can be a nuisance to staff and guests alike. But if the problem is not fixed, it can also lead to dangerous back drafts in your restaurant restaurant hood system. When that happens, smoke and other toxic gases like carbon monoxide may flow into your kitchen and dining areas instead of being removed, causing a potentially lethal situation. If your makeup air fan isn’t able to supply the correct amount of return air, it might be time to upgrade to one with a higher CFM.
4. Higher than Normal Energy Bills
Most restaurants would agree that their energy bills are already too high so conserving energy where ever you can is important. So if you begin to notice a pattern of higher than normal energy bills, you should investigate possible reasons starting with your restaurant hood system. The problem could be with any part of your restaurant exhaust so you’ll need to rule out things as quickly as you can.
The restaurant hood system is a good place to start because it is a major source of energy use in your restaurant. Check on the last time your commercial kitchen exhaust system, grease filters, grease ducts, and upblast exhaust fan were cleaned. Grease buildup on any component of your commercial kitchen exhaust system will decrease its efficiency, create poor air quality conditions, and increase your kitchen’s fire hazard. If any part of your restaurant hood system hasn’t been properly cleaned and maintained for a very long time, it may be too late to solve the problem with a visit from a professional hood cleaner. Instead, you might find yourself looking at having to replace or upgrade your equipment.
Need to Upgrade Your Restaurant Hood System?
Need help with selecting or purchasing an equipment replacement or upgrade to your restaurant hood system? For the best customer service and the lowest prices guaranteed, shop our complete selection of commercial kitchen hood systems and restaurant ventilation. Live chat online at HoodFilters.com, check out our handy Hood and Fan Builder, send an email to customerservice@hoodfilters.com, or just give us a call at 877-394-9731. We’re happy to assist you and our product specialists and customer support team are always here to help!