Commercial Air Conditioning

Yes, you can and often should have air conditioning in a commercial kitchen. Here’s why:

Importance of Air Conditioning in Commercial Kitchens

• Comfort and Safety: Commercial kitchens get incredibly hot due to cooking equipment. Air conditioning keeps the environment comfortable, preventing heat exhaustion and safety risks for staff.
• Food Hygiene: High temperatures encourage bacterial growth. Air conditioning helps maintain proper food storage temperatures and prevents spoilage.
• Air Quality: Cooking produces grease, smoke, and odors. Air conditioning, combined with proper ventilation, removes these contaminants, improving air quality for staff and customers.
• Equipment Efficiency: Many commercial kitchen appliances function optimally within specific temperature ranges. Air conditioning helps prevent equipment malfunction and breakdowns.
• Legal Requirements: In some jurisdictions, regulations may require adequate ventilation and temperature control in commercial kitchens.

• Split Systems: These offer flexibility with separate indoor and outdoor components, allowing targeted cooling in specific kitchen areas.
• Ducted Systems: Distribute cooled air throughout the entire kitchen space via a network of ducts.
• Supplementary Cooling: Utilise smaller units like box split air conditioners for additional cooling in the hottest sections of the kitchen.

Important Considerations

• Professional Installation: Commercial kitchen air conditioning requires specialised design and installation to ensure it doesn’t interfere with ventilation systems.
• Energy Efficiency: Choose energy-efficient systems to minimise running costs.
• Regular Maintenance: Maintain filters and the system properly to ensure its performance and longevity.

The need for planning permission for commercial air conditioning in the UK depends on several factors, including:

• Size of the System: Smaller air conditioning systems generally fall within permitted development rights, meaning you don’t need planning permission. However, larger, more complex systems may require permission.
• Type of Building: Listed buildings or those in conservation areas may have stricter regulations regarding external installations, including air conditioning units.
• Location of External Units: The placement of external units must adhere to certain guidelines. Units should be at least one meter away from property boundaries and a similar distance from the edge of flat roofs. They cannot be installed on pitched roofs.
• Noise Levels: The external unit’s noise level should not cause disturbances to neighbour’s.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved in commercial air conditioning, aiming to provide as much insight as possible:

Factors Influencing Cost

The cost of commercial air conditioning varies greatly depending on:

• Size of the Space: Larger spaces require more powerful systems and extensive installation, increasing costs.

Type of System:

• Split systems are more affordable for smaller areas.
• Ducted systems offer whole-building coverage but are more expensive.
• VRF/VRV systems are flexible and suitable for large spaces but come with the highest price tag.

• Brand and Energy Efficiency Higher-efficiency systems save money over time but have a higher initial cost. Well-known brands may also be more expensive.
• Complexity of Installation: Labor costs can vary depending on the ease of access, ductwork required, and any structural modifications needed.
• Additional Features: Smart controls, advanced filtration, etc., will increase the price.

Approximate Cost Ranges (For More Information please use our Commercial Air Conditioning Calculator)

As a general guide, consider these rough estimates:

• Small Commercial Space (up to 500 sq ft): £2,000 – £5,000
• Medium Commercial Space (500 – 2000 sq ft): £5,000 – £15,000
• Large Commercial Space (above 2000 sq ft): £15,000+

The Refrigeration Cycle: The Heart of Cooling

Commercial air conditioning works on the same fundamental principle as a refrigerator, using a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the air:

1. Evaporation: A liquid refrigerant passes through an evaporator coil. Warm air from the building is blown over this coil, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and absorb heat from the air.
2. Compression: The gaseous refrigerant is compressed, increasing its temperature and pressure.
3. Condensation: The hot, high-pressure refrigerant travels to a condenser coil. Outside air is blown over the condenser, releasing the heat from the refrigerant, causing it to condense back into a liquid.
4. Expansion: The liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, reducing its pressure and temperature, ready to start the cycle again.