Why Restaurants Should Change their Air Filters More Often
Why restaurants should change their HVAC air filters more often, from lower energy bills and fewer repairs to cleaner air for customers and staff.
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Key takeaways
- Change your HVAC filters at least every 2 to 3 months, and sooner if a filter looks clogged or greasy when you check it.
- A clogged filter makes the HVAC system work harder, which raises energy bills and wears out the unit sooner.
- Clean filters trap more dust, grease and other airborne particles, so the air is better for customers and staff.
- Put filter changes on a fixed maintenance schedule with a name and a due date, so they do not depend on someone remembering.
On this page
Restaurants should change their air filters more often because a busy kitchen fills them with grease, dust and smoke much faster than an office or a home. A clogged filter makes your HVAC system work harder, costs you more in energy and repairs, and lowers the air quality for everyone inside. Here are the five main reasons:
a. Save on Energy Bills. Air moves easily through a clean filter, so the system does not have to run as hard to heat or cool the room. See how regular upkeep can cut your restaurant’s energy bills.
b. Decrease Airborne Contaminants. A clean filter traps more dust, grease and other particles before they spread through the dining room and kitchen.
c. Reduce Repairs. A clogged filter puts extra strain on fans, motors and coils, and strained parts break down more often.
d. Extend the Life of your HVAC unit. Less strain year after year means the unit lasts longer before it needs replacing.
e. Improve Air Quality for Customers & Staff. Cleaner air makes the room more comfortable for guests and the kitchen a better place to work.
How often to change them
Changing your HVAC filters every 2 to 3 months helps you save on energy. In a busy kitchen, check them more often and change any filter that looks clogged or greasy, even if it is not due yet. Filter changes fit naturally into a wider HVAC preventive maintenance checklist for restaurants, and you can print our HVAC preventive maintenance checklist PDF to keep by the unit.
With MaintainIQ’s preventive maintenance app, you can set filter changes to repeat on a schedule and assign them to a person or role. The app shows what is due and overdue, so the next change is not forgotten. See how the checklist and maintenance app fits your restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a restaurant change its HVAC air filters?
At least every 2 to 3 months. In a busy kitchen, check them more often and change any filter that looks clogged or greasy, even if it is not due yet.
Why do restaurant air filters clog faster?
A busy kitchen fills filters with grease, dust and smoke much faster than an office or a home does.
What happens if you don't change HVAC filters?
A clogged filter makes the system work harder, which raises energy bills and puts extra strain on fans, motors and coils. Strained parts break down more often and the unit wears out sooner, while the air gets worse for customers and staff.