What is Kitchen Energy Solutions?
Kitchen Energy Solutions is a division of Air Solutions & Balancing with over 15 years of experience with turnkey demand control kitchen ventilation (DCKV) systems. With certified energy managers (CEM), energy auditors (CEA) and certified technicians, we are able to maximize energy efficiency in your commercial kitchen!
Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation
In commercial kitchens, exhaust and supply fans are running continuously throughout the day – even when little to no cooking is taking place! Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation (DCKV) systems will automatically control the speed of these units by measuring the level of cooking activity.
The ecoAZUR system is the pinnacle of this technology, offering the highest energy savings available and unmatched performance. See below to learn more about the benefits of the ecoAZUR system and see how much you can save!
Learn more from the PDF Download of our KES sell sheet
Projects
Case Study
National Restaurant Chain
Single location of a national restaurant chain that is open for dinner during the week, lunch and dinner on the weekends, and performs morning preparation and catering services. The ecoAZUR system was retrofitted in under a week and is now responsible for an average new fan speed of 52%. This resulted in under a 2 year payback and over $9,000 in energy savings per year!
Equipment
Total of 4 Exhaust Fans and 2 Makeup Air Units
Run time: 14 hours per day
Simple Payback: 1.7 years
Savings
Electrical Savings: 44,492 kWh per year.
Heating Savings: 5,851 therms per year.
Total Utility Savings: $9,225 per year.
Equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from:
passenger vehicles driven for one year
gallons of gasoline consumed
pounds of coal burned
Metric Tons of CO2
About ecoAZUR
What is DCKV technology?
Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation (DCKV) is the process of modulating the exhaust fans and supply fans (makeup-air units) based on the level of cooking activity of the kitchen hoods. This is done by sensing temperature, smoke, steam, and particulate changes.
Will ecoAZUR control makeup air?
Yes, the ecoAZUR system will tie into your dedicated makeup air unit for the kitchen/kitchen hoods to ensure proper air balance and maximum energy savings.
Will any brand of variable frequency drive (VFD) work with ecoAZUR?
Yes, any brand of VFD will be compatible with the ecoAZUR system.
I have a single phase or ECM motor. Do options exist for this application?
Yes, a few options exist for both of these motors. For single phase, we can furnish a VFD capable of taking in single phase power and outputting three phase. This would typically require a new fan motor as well. For ECM motors that can take a 0-10V signal in, we can modulate directly without the need for a VFD.
Energy & Cost Savings
What energy is saved and what factors affect the savings?
ecoAZUR will save the kitchen electrical savings on the exhaust fans and makeup air units as well as heating and cooling. Size of the kitchen, run time hours, climate, total controlled horsepower, and utility costs will be the largest factors in the amount of energy saved. Please see our Energy Calculator to find out how much ecoAZUR can save you!
Can ecoAZUR qualify for utility rebates?
Yes, ecoAZUR can qualify for local utility rebates. Please contact us to learn more about rebate options in your area!
Quote, Maintenance & Training
What information is needed for a quote?
- Number of kitchen hoods, and length of each hood
- Hood configuration/layout – pictures are always great!
- Number of exhaust fans and makeup air units
- Motor nameplate information of fans (HP, voltage, phase)
What maintenance is required on the system?
Very little. We recommend a wipe down of the sensors twice per year. The sensors are waterproof and can also be cleaned as part of your normal hood-cleaning process. If too much grease should build on an optic sensor, the sensor will blink and the keypad will alert the staff that cleaning is needed.
Is training provided on the system?
Yes, we provide a training session as part of every ecoAZUR installation.
Will the kitchen need to be shut down during an installation?
No, the kitchen will remain operational throughout the duration of the installation process. Work can be performed off hours and the system can be swapped over off hours as well.
Get in Touch
We’re here to help! Contact us.
