[abhi9044]

Originally Posted by Aroy

Do not use any detergent or caustic soda; recommended by some mechanics; as these will corrode the fins in long term.

I have also tried using PH Neutral car shampoo to clean AC fins, which seems to work.

We have a Voltas Window Ac since 2011, which has been professionally serviced only 3 times in all these years. As a result of this, the compressor has now gone bad.

And I used to clean the fins with water and a wet old toothbrush. But that only gets off the surface dust. So a professional wash is required every 2 years minimum. (As for our usage pattern)

Now that I have got myself a pressure washer, I wash it myself using the following steps:

1) Wash the evaporator and condenser.
2) Using Foam Canon, I spray PH Neutral car wash shampoo on the fins.
3) Let it sit for a minute or two.
4) Wash it again thoroughly.

[IshaanIan]

Does anyone have any experience with fitting air conditioning in a kitchen?

Will a regular split design inverter AC do the job? Will a large exhaust fan outlet hinder the ACs performance and reduce its lifespan?

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Does anyone have any experience with fitting air conditioning in a kitchen?

Will a regular split design inverter AC do the job? Will a large exhaust fan outlet hinder the ACs performance and reduce its lifespan?

I have fitted a Mitsubishi Electric split air conditioner in my kitchen and have an exhaust fan + chimney installed. The exhaust fan outlet doesn’t seem to make any difference to air conditioner performance.

Cheers

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

I have fitted a Mitsubishi Electric split air conditioner in my kitchen and have an exhaust fan + chimney installed. The exhaust fan outlet doesn’t seem to make any difference to air conditioner performance.

Thankyou so much for adding your experience. How many square feet would your kitchen be and what capacity is the aircon you use?

The kitchen is going to be used extensively and is about 280 square feet would a 1 ton AC suffice or would it be wiser to stick with 1.5 ton options?

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Thankyou so much for adding your experience. How many square feet would your kitchen be and what capacity is the aircon you use?

The kitchen is going to be used extensively and is about 280 square feet would a 1 ton AC suffice or would it be wiser to stick with 1.5 ton options?

Our kitchen should be around 210 square feet and we are using a 1 ton air conditioner. With 280 square feet and extensive use I would go for the 1.5 ton option.

Cheers

[finneyp]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

I live in moderately dusty area. I get the IDU foam washed by Urban Company just before the onset of summer down south- Feb end.

Did you face any Gas scam by Urban company guys where they check the Gas level, then say it is low & ask to refill the gas from them & they charge a good amount for it!
I was scammed once by Urban company as above & so hesitant to call them for service.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Does anyone have any experience with fitting air conditioning in a kitchen?

The advice is usually don't. One reason: imagine the usual dust load building up inside the AC but with added grease and oil.

To cool your kitchen: run AC in adjacent room (where it has cleaner-air intake) and extractor fan/chimney in kitchen. Cool air from the adjacent room will be sucked in.

Of course, I accept Cyborg's experience

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The advice is usually don't. One reason: imagine the usual dust load building up inside the AC but with added grease and oil.

Thanks this confirms my initial suspicions on the topic of having an AC installed in a kitchen. Is regular filter cleaning not enough to remedy the issue? Or will the added grease and oil buildup affect other parts that are inaccessible in terms of maintenance? Thing is the kitchen is not a home setup and will be running hot for long durations. Are there any alternatives to cooling the place down other than a desert cooler? I am looking for ultra effective yet silent fans at the very least. Hyderabad summers are terrible so hot and dry and if the kitchen runs even hotter you can get a heatstroke within 30 minutes which is something I want to tackle asap before this month becomes as hot as it is predicted to be.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by finneyp

Did you face any Gas scam by Urban company guys where they check the Gas level, then say it is low & ask to refill the gas from them which cost a good amount!
I was scammed once by Urban company as above & so hesitant to call them for service.

Yes, they do try to pull that scam off every single time especially since mine is an old AC.

I know the gas pressure range for my AC. So, I take a photo of the pressure gauge when they hook up the AC. And compare with a online chart. Also, if the cooling is fine, just tell them that you will get back to them.

Note, ensure that they close the check valve of the outdoor unit properly after checking the gas pressure. A couple of years ago, their tech left the valve slightly open after the pressure check so that the gas started escaping. The sound of escaping gas was very faint. I have this habit or spraying the valve with soap water whenever they finish the pressure check. And it started bubbling. I showed this to the tech, and he sheepishly tightened the Allen nut properly. It's another thing that I had a bad vibe from the time he came home. He was pointing out only problems with the AC. If I had not noticed that, the gas would have leaked out in a few days, and I would had to get it refilled at a cost. Unless there is a leak in the system, the gas pressure will not go down. It is similar to the coolant system in our car - closed loop.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The advice is usually don't. One reason: imagine the usual dust load building up inside the AC but with added grease and oil.

We thought the same thing Thad but our interior designer made us put a chimney over the hob. With the chimney on while cooking there is no oil, grease or food smell swirling around. It gets sucked up and thrown out of the kitchen immediately while the air conditioner does it’s job of keeping the kitchen cool.

Of course it’s important to note it’s a home kitchen not a commercial one.

Cheers

[ike]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

TThing is the kitchen is not a home setup and will be running hot for long durations.

Is this a commercial kitchen? In that case a residential 1/1.5 T may not be able to handle such high heat loads. It might be a good idea to check out commercial HVAC/AC systems.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Thing is the kitchen is not a home setup and will be running hot for long durations.

If it is a commercial situation, I think you need to explore commercial options.

Originally Posted by Cyborg

We thought the same thing Thad but ... ... ... With the chimney on while cooking there is no oil, grease or food smell swirling around.

Thanks. It had occurred to me after reading your post that, if the chimney was always on when the AC was on, that would cope with the oil.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

If it is a commercial situation, I think you need to explore commercial options.

Originally Posted by ike

Is this a commercial kitchen? In that case a residential 1/1.5 T may not be able to handle such high heat loads. It might be a good idea to check out commercial HVAC/AC systems.

Yes it will be a commercial setup. Any pointers on what kind of HVAC commercial system would be applicable? I have zero experience outside of the ACs that we normally use at home.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Yes it will be a commercial setup. Any pointers on what kind of HVAC commercial system would be applicable? I have zero experience outside of the ACs that we normally use at home

I would suggest calling an air condition professional/company to physically check your kitchen, tell them your exact use case and let them suggest what would be the best solution for you. In case of doubt with one you could always take a second opinion and then take a call.

There are also these cassette type air conditioners which fit into your ceiling with the main unit fixed outside. We have this, it looks good, almost flush with the ceiling and performs well.

All the best with your investigation/learning. Please do share your experience and final decision with us.

Cheers

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Yes it will be a commercial setup. Any pointers ... ... ... ?

None, I'm afraid. Our member Aroy might post something useful. Kitchens is not only commercial, but a specialist area of commercial.