AC Size for Kitchen

Kitchen AC Sizing

Kitchens generate significant heat from cooking, requiring larger AC capacity than equivalent living spaces. Proper sizing ensures comfortable cooking conditions and prevents heat from spreading to adjacent rooms.

Why Kitchens Need More Cooling

Kitchens have unique heat sources:

• Cooking appliances: Stoves, ovens generate 1,000-5,000 BTU
• Refrigerator: Continuously adds 200-500 BTU
• Dishwasher: Adds 1,000-1,500 BTU during drying cycle
• Lighting: Often brighter than other rooms
• Steam and humidity: From boiling water and cooking

Kitchen AC Sizing Formula

Start with base calculation, then add for cooking heat:

• Base: Square feet × 25-30 BTU
• Gas stove: Add 2,000-4,000 BTU
• Electric stove: Add 1,500-3,000 BTU
• Large oven: Add 2,000-3,000 BTU
• Commercial range: Add 5,000-10,000 BTU

Sizing Examples

• 80 sq ft with gas stove: (80 × 30) + 3,000 = 5,400 BTU (0.5 ton)
• 120 sq ft with electric: (120 × 30) + 2,000 = 5,600 BTU (0.5 ton)
• 150 sq ft heavy cooking: (150 × 30) + 4,000 = 8,500 BTU (0.75-1 ton)
• Open kitchen 200 sq ft: Calculate as part of combined space

Open Kitchen Considerations

For open floor plans where kitchen flows into living area:

• Calculate total combined square footage
• Add kitchen heat to entire space calculation
• Consider single large unit or zoned cooling
• Exhaust fan helps remove cooking heat before AC has to handle it

Ventilation First

Before sizing AC, ensure proper ventilation:

• Range hood: Exhausts cooking heat directly outside
• Proper CFM: 100 CFM per linear foot of range
• Make-up air: Ensure enough fresh air for exhaust to work
• Impact: Good exhaust can reduce AC load 30-50%

Kitchen AC Installation Tips

• Position away from stove: Avoid interference with exhaust hood
• Consider grease exposure: Filters need more frequent cleaning
• Split AC preferred: Easier to clean than window units
• Stainless or anti-corrosion coating: Resists kitchen humidity

Commercial Kitchen Note

Professional/commercial kitchens have extreme heat loads and require specialized HVAC design. Standard residential calculators don't apply—consult an HVAC professional for commercial applications.