As technology continues to advance forward exponentially, improvements in all aspects of commercial kitchen spaces are never ending. A new trend in commercial HVAC systems are Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems, or DOAS. What makes DOAS so unique are their ability to completely dehumidify outdoor air, while utilizing air handling units to heat or cool interior air. DOAS allows for for improved air quality for your commercial buildings through an energy efficient method that won't break the bank. These systems are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and because of this they are becoming more and more popular in commercial building applications.

So how does a DOAS system work? A dedicated unit is installed outside of the building, and generally ties into a pre-existing HVAC system. The DOAS primary responsibility is pulling in the outdoor air and cleaning and / or dehumidifying the air before it reaches the interior of the building. During this process the air is also heated or cooled to provide clean, optimal temperature air to the interior of the building, which in turn also helps save energy by reducing the amount of work the HVAC system has to do. On average most buildings can see a 30% - 40% reduction in annual energy usage after moving to a DOAS system.

Another major benefit to a DOAS system is the ability to easily retrofit a buildings existing HVAC system with a DOAS. Instead of having to completely revamp an older HVAC system, a DOAS can be installed in a way that will greatly help with energy savings. To do this you must first install a DOAS with an Energy Recovery Ventilator, or ERV. On top of the DOAS w/ ERV, a high efficiency heating and cooling system, such as a Variant Refrigerant Flow (VRF) or a Mini-Split system, will create a complete high performing, highly energy efficient system. The final step is to upgrade the heating / cooling controls using programmed heating, cooling and ventilation controls based on demand, measured CO2 levels, and an average occupancy schedule. By pairing DOAS w/ ERV, the VRF or Mini-Split system, with the custom HVAC controls you can retrofit an outdated HVAC system to meet modern standards at a much cheaper cost than replacing the entire HVAC system with a modern set up.

Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems are a great modern advancement to improve any commercial building or restaurant space. A proper DOAS set up can provide cleaner, more temperate controlled weather to the interior of your building while also saving on energy costs in the long run. HoodMart provides our customers with a wide range of exhaust hood systems - from Compensating (Short Cycle) to Perforated Supply Plenum PSP - as well as all exhaust hood accessories such as no weld Grease Duct, hood filters, canopy hood lights, and curbs. Our walk-in selection offers coolers and freezers from quick ship to custom. If you have questions regarding the purchase of your hood system or walk-in, please feel free to contact one of our experts today by calling us at 1.800.715.1014 or by contacting us through our live chat system.