Need to size the air conditioning for a commercial kitchen? Kitchens carry a high appliance heat load — ovens, ranges, fryers, and refrigeration all dump heat into the space — so they use about a 30 BTU/sq ft factor, higher than living areas. Comfort cooling in a kitchen works alongside, not instead of, proper exhaust ventilation. The calculator below is pre-set to a commercial kitchen at 200 sq ft — a commercial kitchen that size typically needs about a 0.75 Ton AC (7,260 BTU/hr, 2.1 kW) in a moderate climate. Enter your own area for an instant answer.
🧊 Find the Right AC Size for Your Room — in Tons & BTU
Convert room size (sq ft or m²) to the exact AC tonnage you need — 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 Ton and up. ACCA Manual-J inspired, in tons, BTU/hr and kW, for the US, UK, Europe, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia & Australia.
🌍 Prefer metric? Switch units here
🏠1. Space Type
📐2. Floor Area & Ceiling
Range: 50 – 10,000 sq ft
Range: 7 – 20 ft
Range: 0 – 50 people
🌍3. Country / Climate
The base factor assumes a 30 °C / 86 °F design day. Change the chip above to match your region.
🧱4. Insulation
☀️5. Sun Exposure
🪟6. Windows / Glazing
➕Advanced loads (kitchen, appliances, exhaust) — optional
Wattage × 3.4 = BTU/hr. e.g. 500 W ≈ 1,700 BTU/hr
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Commercial Kitchen AC Size by Floor Area
Typical AC tonnage for a commercial kitchen with an 8-foot ceiling and average conditions. Heavy equipment, high occupancy, or a hot climate will push these up — adjust those in the calculator:
| Commercial Kitchen Size | Recommended AC | Approx. BTU/hr |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.5 Ton | 3,630 BTU/hr |
| 150 sq ft | 0.5 Ton | 5,445 BTU/hr |
| 200 sq ft | 0.75 Ton | 7,260 BTU/hr |
| 300 sq ft | 1 Ton | 10,890 BTU/hr |
| 400 sq ft | 1.5 Ton | 14,520 BTU/hr |
Sizing AC for a Commercial Kitchen — What to Consider
Exhaust hoods and make-up air do the heavy lifting for grease and combustion heat; the AC handles the remaining ambient load. Use the appliance and equipment fields in the calculator to add the cooking-equipment heat, and never rely on AC alone to control a commercial kitchen. The calculator applies the commercial kitchen heat-gain factor automatically; use the advanced fields (occupants, equipment, appliances, ventilation) to match your exact space, and remember an oversized unit short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly — right-sizing gives better comfort and lower running cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size AC do I need for a commercial kitchen? A 200 sq ft commercial kitchen typically needs about a 0.75 Ton AC (7,260 BTU/hr) in a moderate climate; scale up or down with your floor area per the chart above.
How much AC does a kitchen need? About 30 BTU/sq ft plus appliance heat, and always alongside a proper exhaust hood and make-up air system — the AC handles ambient comfort, not grease-laden cooking heat.
How many BTU per square foot for a commercial kitchen? Roughly 30 BTU/sq ft as a starting factor, before adjusting for climate, ceiling height, occupancy, and equipment heat.
Related: refrigeration cycle diagram and components explained.
Estimates vary by contractor. Compare free quotes from licensed local pros before you commit. Request a quote →
High-efficiency systems may qualify for utility rebates and federal or state incentives. Find current programs at ENERGY STAR & DSIRE.
Figures are reviewed by the Refcon HVAC engineering team using U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR & ACCA Manual J data. Estimates only — confirm with a licensed pro.