About Makeup Air: Why Makeup Air Is Important

Makeup air units are crucial in commercial kitchens for maintaining optimal air quality and ventilation. Without a makeup air unit, your kitchen exhaust hoods can struggle, leading to poor performance, increased grease buildup, and compromised air quality. The lack of replacement air causes higher static pressure, reducing the efficiency of exhaust hoods. This not only affects the cleanliness of your kitchen but also impacts the health and comfort of your staff and customers.

4 Problems You Can Solve with a Makeup Air Unit for Your Kitchen

1. Poorly Performing Kitchen Exhaust Hoods Without a makeup air unit, exhaust hoods can't perform efficiently. The absence of supply air increases static pressure, reducing the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air that the equipment can remove. This results in less effective ventilation, making it harder to maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment. A makeup air unit ensures a steady flow of fresh air, improving the performance of your exhaust hoods.

2. Excess Kitchen Grease Inefficient exhaust hoods lead to more grease buildup on kitchen surfaces. This not only creates a mess but also increases the time and effort required for cleaning. Excess grease can also pose a fire hazard. With a makeup air unit, you can reduce grease accumulation, keeping your kitchen cleaner and safer.

3. Air Quality Concerns Poor air quality in the kitchen can affect the health of your employees. Cooking generates smoke and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause respiratory issues with prolonged exposure. A makeup air unit helps mitigate these concerns by ensuring adequate ventilation and maintaining healthier air quality.

4. Poor Comfort Conditions and Higher Energy Bills Lack of replacement air disrupts the balance of heating and cooling in your restaurant. This can lead to uncomfortable working conditions and higher energy bills as you try to compensate for the imbalance. A makeup air unit provides the necessary air exchange, helping to maintain a comfortable environment and reduce energy costs.

The Difference Between a Type 1 and Type 2 Hood Type 1 Hoods

Type 1 hoods are designed to capture and hold grease, making them suitable for use over equipment like griddles, fryers, broilers, ovens, ranges, and wok ranges. These hoods require a UL300 Wet Chemical Fire Suppression System to ensure safety.

Type 2 Hoods

Type 2 hoods are designed to remove steam or heat and are used over equipment such as steamers, kettles, and pasta cookers. They are ideal for non-grease-producing equipment. When any cooking appliance under a single hood requires a Type 1 hood, a Type 1 hood must be installed. For equipment that only requires a Type 2 hood, either a Type 1 or Type 2 hood can be installed. Note that UL does not currently certify Type 2 hoods.

HoodMart’s makeup air hoods are UL 710 listed, which ensures they meet the highest standards of safety and performance. UL sets the standards, while ETL is a third-party testing organization that certifies products to UL standards. UL-listed components, such as fans and switches, are designed and tested to work together, providing assurance of their safety and reliability.

Makeup Air Hoods UL710 Features & Benefits

HoodMart offers UL 710 listed hoods that don’t require factory-cut duct connections, allowing for easier installation and adaptability to varying site conditions. The non-insulated zero clearance front enables the hood to be placed directly against a drywall ceiling, reducing weight and simplifying installation. These hoods feature the lowest CFM/FT for listed hoods over 700-degree appliances, significantly reducing operating costs. Constructed with fully welded, non-bolted or gasketed construction, they ensure long-term stability. All hoods include side curtains, which lower energy costs and provide better fire containment. The 20” high filters with integrated ridges allow grease-laden air to be pulled in quickly. Made in the USA from 18 gauge 430 stainless steel with a #3 polished finish, HoodMart’s hoods meet UL710, NFPA standards, and are NSF marked.

Makeup Air Hood Packages

HoodMart’s makeup air packages include an exhaust fan, hinge kit, makeup air fan (fresh or tempered air available), vapor-proof lights, grease cups, filters, roof curbs, and optional fire suppression systems. Single or double-wall ductwork is also available as an option. These packages ensure comprehensive ventilation solutions for your commercial kitchen.