Heat Pump HVAC for Burnaby Restaurants & Hospitality

A restaurant HVAC system has to do several things simultaneously: handle the enormous heat load from commercial cooking equipment, provide comfortable conditioned air to dining areas, manage humidity, and control kitchen odors through proper ventilation. Heat pumps in restaurant settings are typically paired with dedicated make-up air units, exhaust systems, and in some cases, heat recovery ventilators to maximise efficiency.

For front-of-house dining areas, ductless mini-split systems or ducted commercial units provide comfortable heating and cooling without interfering with kitchen ventilation. Ceiling cassette units are popular in restaurant dining rooms because they distribute air evenly and have a minimal ceiling footprint — important in heritage buildings and spaces where ceiling aesthetics matter.

Back-of-house — the kitchen — is typically handled through exhaust hoods and make-up air systems rather than conditioning the space directly. We work with restaurant owners and kitchen designers to ensure the heat pump system and ventilation systems are coordinated, meeting both comfort and code requirements under the BC Mechanical Code.

For cafes, small restaurants, and quick-service concepts, a single commercial split system or two to three mini-split zones often handles the entire space. For larger full-service restaurants, event venues, and hotel dining rooms, we design multi-zone or VRF systems with separate control for kitchen, dining, and bar areas.

We understand the operational reality of running a restaurant — installations need to be done during off-hours, everything needs to work perfectly before you open, and downtime mid-service isn't acceptable. We schedule and stage our work accordingly.