Hidden Kitchen Systems: HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, all of which are typically installed and serviced by the same technicians. Planning for your HVAC requirements is part of planning the airflow in and out of your kitchen. Besides supplying heat and cooling, good air flow make the room feel better, removes smells and gases and tends to make the space a much more comfortable environment to work in. In fact you should think of these systems as the environmental climate control part of your kitchen design.
Heating
Heating comes in several forms including forced air systems which use two sets of ductwork, one for hot air coming out of the furnace and the other to return cold air to furnace for re-heating. This complex ductwork takes up a lot of space and often runs through kitchen walls on its way to other rooms. Moving or removing a wall usually means rerouting a duct which can be tricky because of the clear open straight runs of space they require. Forced air systems are easily fitted with central air units which can share their ductwork system for summer cooling.
Steam or hot water heat uses a system of pipes and radiators circulating hot steam or water which in turn heats the air in the room. The heat is very even but doesn’t heat up or cool down as quickly as forced air. These systems are preferable for allergy sufferers because they don’t blow dust and pollen particles around. They require considerable piping entailing yet another set of pipes snaking in and out of your walls. Radiators and baseboard units come in a wide variety of styles and shapes but still require a certain amount of wall space to function properly. If you have a steam or hot water heat system you won’t have an existing duct system to use for central air conditioning, making it necessary to install one.
Electric heat is easy to install, easy to locate and only requires electrical circuits to be run into its location, an easier process for remodeling than the other systems. However, electric heat is very expensive to use and offers no ducting possibilities for central air.
A popular heat system for new construction is in-floor heating systems which consist of a complex of tubing set in concrete beneath your flooring. Warm water circulates through the system resulting in quiet, even, energy efficient heat. It must be installed early in the construction process and care must taken not to break into the system with nails or other construction fasteners.
Air-Conditioning
Air conditioning is becoming standard all over the country and is a necessity in many parts of the country. Besides providing cooling, it dehumidifies and cleans the air and offers a benefit that is often overlooked: Sound and noise reduction because windows are kept closed. In a busy urban environment this can be a significant benefit.
If you have an existing heating system that does not use ducts, you either must install ductwork for central air or buy a window unit. The window unit is easy to install but may be noisy, takes up window or wall space and may not cool the entire home. Central air is quiet because the compressor is usually located away from the house outside or on the roof and it provides an even whole-house cooling and dehumidifying. Removing humidity is a big plus when doing a lot of cooking in a hot closed environment.
HVAC Controls
In addition to ducting or plumbing, HVAC systems require a low voltage thermostat for temperature control wired to the furnace. Thermostats today are sophisticated devices designed to control heating and cooling in several different rooms or zones in the household. They also can set back temperatures at pre-programmed times automatically to save on energy costs. Again you may have to plan for a location for these control panels.
Ventilation
All of your HVAC systems may be enhanced by adding ventilation fans, good quality ceiling fans and other ways to keep air circulating. Cheap ceiling fans are not constructed to move a lot of air because their motors cannot handle the strain. They often do not make any appreciable improvement in air flow. Buy a good one and remember that installing a good ceiling fan requires an electrical box securely mounted to the framing of the ceiling, a power source and special switching mounted on the wall.
Cooking Ventilation
A good ventilation system for removing cooking gases and hot fumes can vastly improve the quality of your kitchen. If you use a high power range or ovens you must have a powerful vent system that routes heat out of the house. These appliances generate enormous amounts of heat.
Cooking ventilation comes in several configurations. Down draft vents surround a range at counter level and suck gases downward and out through the wall or floor. They have the advantage of not taking up space over the appliance but require ductwork and a power source. One disadvantage of downdrafts is their tendency to suck the flames sideways on gas ranges, limiting their heating capability. Overhead vents and range hoods come in all kinds of styles with varying efficiency from low priced hoods that ineffectually cycle air back into the room to large powered hoods that could suck a gale out into the outer environment. Both require power, sometimes 220.
