Article contributed by Jeremy Coffin, Day & Nite/All Service
Professionalism matters – you wouldn’t go to a doctor to tune up your car or trust a mechanic to give you a physical, so why count on anyone but the best for your business’s air quality?
I know: clean air was a pandemic issue. I’d like the TFS readers to take a short dive with me because, we think it may very well be like the great food and beverage that keeps your customers coming back.
Our suggestion is to update your approach to the air quality in your dining areas. At Day & Nite, we have been so fortunate to be a resource on this topic for so many leading foodservice operators in Metro NY and up and down the Eastern Seaboard.
Using an expert has a domino effect. They will be able to tell if your air system is going to function properly, if it can be serviced, if it will fit in your space, and if it’s right for your business.
Manufacturer representatives and engineers are great to have as part of the team, but you need in-field experience to know what will work and provide you with the best return on investment.
One of the other key reasons for the selection of dedicated industry professionals are the on-going clean air requirements of each municipality.
Every city has its own set of unique codes for kitchen ventilation, exhaust, and make-up air, and every kitchen we help maintain adheres to those codes.
Standards and certifications are one thing, but in our field, by working with suggested contractors we know that everything is going to run smoothly.
Anyone can get a certification by taking a class, but few use the field experience in combination with manufacturers, and those who do, separate themselves from the rest.
It’s also important to have that resource that can keep you plugged into the changes in equipment. The latest innovative technology is an air filtration solution that has risen in popularity post-covid is the dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS).
A DOAS system brings outside air directly into the space while attempting to condition the air through a heating or cooling source. While this form of air filtration is heavily location-based, it certainly has its benefits if it suits your individual needs.
It usually operates by being set on the roof of the space. Then it sucks in 100% outside air and conditions it to provide cooling and heating in your business.
This causes positive pressure in the space, with fresh outside air.
Aside from the latest including the DOAS solution it’s important to fit all of the puzzle parts together.
These include many of the other services that impact air quality we’ve built our reputation on at Day & Nite including commercial refrigeration, cooking, HVAC, and plumbing installations.
Brand, function, size, and maintenance are all major factors in selecting a piece of equipment. The questions we ask are: “Does it fit? Can we clean it? Will it provide what is required in the building?”
This is part of our assessment to allow operators the best experience possible.
Among the new challenges that we see as we head into the new year is noise. For that reason, these new air systems are usually in back-of-house areas that would not affect the dining experience.
If it is in proximity of customers though, we create noise baffles to help prevent ambient noise from flooding your atmosphere.
These systems are sound investments too, properly maintained equipment can have a life span of 20 years. The problems evolve when they’re not cleaned properly.
This forces the systems to run harder and causes long-term failure issues. Like neglecting to get the family mini-van’s oil changed, or your annual flu shot.
Being on top of maintenance is a necessity when dealing with big machines like these, and we help you learn everything that’s needed.
For example, hood filters are usually maintained by the kitchen staff and cleaned daily or at least every other day. All sensors and heat detectors are required to be cleaned and tested four times per year and fire alarms are tested monthly.
There is required upkeep in any valuable technology, we help make sure that you have the skills you need to keep your assets worth your time and money.
To ensure that you’re maximizing value in the selection of the right air system, we offer multiple styles of systems and opportunities for rebates as well. We’re also understanding of changes in appliances over time.
A restaurant evolves and they may need an additional hood or another sink, we’ll discuss options with you to make sure you’re maximizing your kitchen investment.
One of the keys to finding the right air system for our customer base are the service and support professionals on our team.
We understand just like you do with your restaurant’s staffs that we are only as good as the technician that is in your kitchen or dining room helping you to design the right solution.
The evolving landscape of businesses — from corporate to mom-and-pop — needs reliable service workers.
Day & Nite strives to be there for any business, to help make sure that you can run at your highest capacity of excellence, without having to worry about technical plumbing, air quality, or refrigeration issues.
We also understand that each and every project adds to that database of knowledge. Experience is a major factor in any big decision and that’s where we come in.
After installing the refrigeration units in both Yankees Stadium and the Javits Center in the late 1970s, we proved to the industry that we’re capable and trustworthy for operations big or small, on time and on budget.
As we enter a new year and seek to pioneer the burgeoning hospitality air quality marketplace, we have doubled down on that commitment.
Ensuring excellent air quality in both the dining areas and kitchens of a restaurant should be a top priority on every restaurant owner’s agenda in 2024.
The importance of providing clean air and a healthy environment for patrons and you team, cannot be overstated.
We are here to answer your questions and help you make the right air system decision. Learn more at website.
Jeremy Coffin is the General Manager, HVAC / Plumbing, of New Hyde Park, NY based Day & Nite/All Service. He brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
With a background at Carefree Refrigeration and over two decades of air quality experience, Coffin is well-equipped to assist restaurateurs, and hospitality operators in the New York City area.
His extensive knowledge and understanding of air quality systems enable him to guide clients in selecting and designing the most suitable solutions.
As a graduate of Central, Connecticut State University and long-time resident of Long Island, Coffin is committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring optimal air quality for the restaurant and hospitality industry.
