Ventilation equipment installed in small stores is mostly operated by their employees with a remote controller. Most people know the location of the air conditioner and its remote controller to adjust temperature and air volume according to desired temperature, while only a few people may know the location of the ventilation equipment. Even less know how to properly operate it.
2 types of ventilation equipment are common in stores or restaurants
1. Stores with ceiling fan ventilation and
2. Stores with a heat reclaim ventilator (mostly installed in a concealed place like the ceiling)
1. Stores with ceiling fan ventilation
Airflow entering from outdoors
Airflow leaving from indoors
Air conditioner only circulates the indoor air
① Remote controller switch
② Ventilation hood
③ Ventilation vent (exhaust)
④ Door vent
⑤ Vent / Vent cap
⑥ Heat reclaim ventilator
Air conditioner
Air blower
Remote controller switch
Ventilation vent (air exhaust)
Ventilation vent (air supply)
2. Stores with a heat reclaim ventilator
Airflow entering from outdoors
Airflow leaving from indoors
Air conditioner only circulates the indoor air
① Remote controller switch
② Ventilation hood
③ Ventilation vent (exhaust)
④ Door vent
⑤ Vent / Vent cap
⑥ Heat reclaim ventilator
Air conditioner
Air blower
Remote controller switch
Ventilation vent (air exhaust)
Ventilation vent (air supply)
Ventilation Checklist
Check installed ventilation equipment
- Type of ventilation system installed?
- Location of ventilation system & vents
- Location of remote controller
Check Filters
Filters are installed behind the vents on the walls and ceilings.
When filters become clogged with dirt, ventilation efficiency decreases. You may not even notice that ventilation capacity has worsened.
It is important to regularly clean or replace filters.
Never operate ventilation systems without filters. Filters prevent outside pollutants coming indoors and protect ventilation equipment.
Check operation of the remote controller for ventilation
Operation of ventilation systems is often integrated with the air conditioning remote controller.
Make sure that the ventilation equipment continues to operate even when cooling or heating is OFF during the mild seasons of spring and autumn.
Examples of dirty Ventilation Vents and Filters at Small Stores/Restaurants
Ceiling vent
Ventilation fan
Outdoor vent
Create an air passage by opening windows and entrance doors
- Ventilation equipment and opening windows and doors
- Open windows
- Bad example
- Difficulties?
Using ventilation equipment together with opening windows and doors
- Open windows for ~10 minutes every hour
The effect becomes even higher when ventilation is performed 2 times for 5 minutes every hour than with 10min once every hour.
The more often you ventilate, the greater improvement you will see in effectiveness.
We recommend ventilating before the start of business hours and during breaktimes.
Open windows to create an air passage
When ventilation is performed by opening windows, it is better to open 2 windows instead of 1 in order to create an air passage.
The effect is even better if the 2 windows are diagonal to each other.
Insufficient air circulation
Here inefficiency results from opening nearby windows due to the small area in which air circulates.
Opening 2 windows positioned close to each other will prevent air from flowing through the entire room.
Difficulties in creating a breeze inside even when windows are open?
When you feel that the airflow in the room is low:
- Open the window supplying air only partially and
- Open the window discharging air much wider
A smaller opening for air supply causes air to flow more forcefully. This will increase ventilation efficiency. A narrow opening for the air inlet and wider opening for the air outlet helps mix the indoor air and ventilate the air over a larger area of the room
Rooms without a window
When a room has no windows like a private room of a restaurant for example, you need to first check the locations of the ventilation vents (air exhaust) on the ceiling. Opening the room door and placing fans or air circulators in the room will help send the flow of air outside the room.
Example ①:
Location of ventilation vent (air exhaust) is outside the room
When the ventilation vent (air exhaust) is outside the room, open the door and use a fan to send air OUTSIDE the room.
In this case, having either fans or air circulators both inside the room and just outside the door is more effective.
Example ②:
Location of ventilation vent (air exhaust) is inside the room
When the ventilation vent (air exhaust) is inside the room, open the door and use a fan to send air INSIDE the room.
