Project Summary
A hibachi restaurant in Lady Lake was undergoing a complete remodel, but its existing HVAC system needed more than updated equipment. Two units had failed, and the building was exhausting more air than it brought in, creating negative pressure.
United Refrigeration, Heating & Air completed an HVAC redesign based on an engineered plan. The project included a dedicated CaptiveAire fresh-air unit, two new 10-ton rooftop units, and all-new ductwork to support the remodeled restaurant’s heating, cooling, and ventilation needs.
Project Snapshot
Location
Lady Lake, Florida
Industry
Hibachi Restaurant
Service
Restaurant HVAC Replacement, Fresh-Air System Installation, and Ductwork Redesign
Equipment
CaptiveAire 100% Fresh-Air Unit; 10-Ton Carrier and 10-Ton Trane Rooftop Units
Heating
Carrier: 16 kW Electric Heat; Trane: 18 kW Electric Heat
Completion
October 2026
Warranty
New Rooftop Units: 5-Year Parts and Compressor Warranty; 1-Year Workmanship Warranty
Project Overview
The restaurant owner had worked with United for approximately 10 years and brought our team in to handle the HVAC portion of a full building remodel.
The existing system had several problems. Two HVAC units had failed, including a rooftop unit built in 2010. The building was also operating under negative pressure because its exhaust systems removed more air than the existing equipment supplied.
That imbalance allowed hot, unconditioned outdoor air to enter through doors and building gaps, adding to the heating and cooling workload. In a hibachi restaurant, the relationship between exhaust and replacement air also matters for ventilation around cooking areas.
Fresh air for the hibachi tables had been supplied by rooftop evaporative coolers, commonly called swamp coolers. The remodel provided an opportunity to replace that arrangement with a dedicated system delivering conditioned outside air.
Working from an engineered design, our team rebuilt the HVAC and air distribution systems while retaining the existing kitchen hoods, exhaust systems, and bathroom exhaust fans. The goal was to address equipment failures and the building’s airflow needs together.
Work Performed
Our commercial HVAC team completed the following work:
Removed the existing evaporative coolers: Removed all swamp coolers serving the hibachi tables, capped their roof curbs, and removed the associated ductwork below.
Installed conditioned fresh-air equipment: Added a CaptiveAire 100% fresh-air unit to supply conditioned outside air and address the building’s negative pressure.
Reinforced the equipment support: Reinforced the steel structure beneath the fresh-air unit to support the new equipment.
Replaced two rooftop units: Installed a 10-ton Carrier unit with 16 kW electric heat and a 10-ton Trane unit with 18 kW electric heat.
Added rooftop accessories: Equipped both new rooftop units with fresh air dampers and protective hail guards.
Rebuilt the duct system: Removed the old ductwork and installed new ductwork following the engineered layout.
Retained existing exhaust equipment: Reused the kitchen hoods, exhaust systems, and bathroom exhaust fans as part of the redesigned system.
Coordinated with the general contractor: Worked alongside the building remodel and adapted the installation as conditions changed.
Completed grille and curb updates: Installed new dining room and bar supply grilles and fitted a new curb adapter where the kitchen unit’s existing curb had been altered.
Completed testing and balancing: Checked airflow readings against the engineered design after installation.
The dedicated fresh-air system was a central part of the project. Supplying replacement air for exhausted air helps address pressure imbalances. United’s cookline exhaust and make-up air services support this important connection between restaurant ventilation and HVAC performance.
Results Delivered
The remodeled restaurant now has working heating and cooling equipment, a dedicated conditioned fresh-air system, and new ductwork laid out for the updated space.
Replacing the evaporative coolers with a CaptiveAire fresh-air unit addressed the makeup-air needs behind the building’s negative pressure problem. The new arrangement supplies conditioned outdoor air instead of relying on air entering through doors and gaps.
The project also preserved existing kitchen and bathroom exhaust equipment while integrating it into the engineered redesign. Testing and balancing provided a final check of airflow against the design requirements.
The new rooftop units are covered by a five-year parts and compressor warranty and a one-year workmanship warranty.
After approximately 10 years of service work together, the owner trusted United to handle the HVAC side of a major remodel. Our commercial HVAC maintenance plans provide ongoing support for businesses maintaining equipment after installation.
Project Photo Gallery
Need Commercial HVAC Replacement?
A restaurant remodel is an opportunity to evaluate how your cooling, heating, fresh-air supply, and exhaust systems work together. Replacing failed equipment is one part of the process; airflow and building pressure also deserve attention.
United Refrigeration, Heating & Air provides restaurant HVAC and ventilation services for businesses in Lady Lake, The Villages, Ocala, and surrounding Central Florida communities.