Commercial kitchens are the heart of many businesses, operating at high intensity throughout the day. One area often overlooked when it comes to energy savings is ventilation. Traditionally, exhaust fans run at full capacity regardless of the kitchen’s activity, leading to wasted energy. However, demand-based ventilation control systems, like the Merlin 3000S from S&S Northern, offer a smart solution that can save significant amounts of energy each year.
How Demand-Based Ventilation Works
Demand-based ventilation systems automatically adjust the speed of exhaust fans based on the level of cooking activity. Instead of running at full speed all day, the system ramps up or down depending on the kitchen’s needs. This can result in substantial energy savings by reducing unnecessary fan operation during off-peak cooking times.
Benefits Of DCKV:
- Reduce Energy Consumption: Exhaust fans only run when necessary, leading to a direct reduction in energy use.
- Improve Workplace Comfort: Kitchen staff benefit from a more comfortable working environment as fans adjust to the kitchen’s heat levels, reducing unnecessary noise and excessive airflow.
- Lower Operational Costs: With less energy used, utility bills are lower, offering quick financial returns on the system investment.
The Merlin 3000S: Smart Control for Smarter Kitchens
The Merlin 3000S is a leading solution for commercial kitchens aiming to optimize energy efficiency. This system is an approved product on the Energy Technology List, approved by the UK government and has been designed to monitor the kitchen environment and adjust ventilation accordingly.
Cost Saving Calculator
Energy saving calculations above based on commercial kitchen ‘TM-50 energy efficiency in commercial kitchens’
Ancillary Sensors: Comprehensive Monitoring for Better Control
What sets the Merlin 3000S apart is its integration with various ancillary sensors, which provide comprehensive monitoring of the kitchen environment. These include:
Measure carbon dioxide levels to ensure optimal air quality for kitchen staff.
Provide safety monitoring to protect staff from harmful gases.
Track the kitchen’s heat levels, allowing for precise fan control.
Detect smoke or steam, ensuring ventilation adjusts during high-cooking activities.
Cambridge Case Study: A Proven Success
In 2023, a Cambridge restaurant partnered with S&S Northern to install the Merlin 3000S system. The restaurant aimed to cut energy consumption while maintaining a productive and safe kitchen environment. The results were striking. Over a 12-month period, the system was used to control only the exhaust fan, and the results closely matched the predicted savings:
- Predicted Energy Savings: 6,795 kWh per year
- Measured Energy Savings: 6,675 kWh per year
- Predicted Average Load Reduction: 39.8%
- Measured Average Load Reduction: 39.1%
- Accuracy: 98.2% of the expected energy savings were achieved.
These savings translated into a significant financial benefit, with the restaurant saving £1,909.05 annually, based on a unit rate of 28.6p/kWh. For further details about this case study, including more specific data and analysis, please contact S&S Northern directly.
