What fails in kitchen air systems?
Make-up air burners and blower motors, belts, rooftop unit compressors, controls and dampers. Grease and heat shorten component life.
A make-up air failure can cause negative pressure, making doors hard to open and drawing in outside air through gaps.
Hood performance can suffer, which is a safety issue.
Repair or replace the rooftop unit?
Older rooftop units with compressor failures are often replaced. Make-up air units can often be repaired.
Ask the HVAC contractor for unit age, efficiency and repair vs replacement costs.
If the landlord is responsible, notify them in writing right away and keep records. Some kitchens pay for urgent repairs themselves and seek reimbursement, depending on the lease. Funding can cover that gap when the landlord is slow.
Plan for crane rental and roof access costs when replacing rooftop units; they can be significant.
How do I keep cooking during repairs?
Use portable fans carefully, adjust shifts to cooler hours, hydrate staff and limit high-heat menu items.
Staff safety comes first. Heat stress is a real risk in a kitchen without air.
| Task | Frequency | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Belt and filter checks | Quarterly | Fewer failures |
| Burner service | Before cold season | Reliable heat |
| Coil cleaning | Seasonal | Efficiency |
| Balance check | Annually | Proper pressure |
Worked example: a rooftop unit in summer
A restaurant averaging $130,000 in monthly deposits loses its rooftop unit compressor in July and gets a $21,000 quote for a replacement unit. Using an illustrative factor rate of 1.22, $21,000 would mean $25,620 repaid over roughly 6 months: 126 daily payments of about $203.
That works out to about $4,270 a month, or 3.3% of the $130,000 this business deposits monthly, and the total cost of the money is $4,620. Restoring cooling protects staff and keeps the dining room comfortable during peak season.
For comparison, repaying the same $25,620 over 4 months would lift the monthly outlay to about $6,405, or 4.9% of deposits, and because shorter terms often carry a lower factor rate in practice, it is worth asking to see both before choosing.
| Average monthly deposits | $130,000 |
|---|---|
| Amount funded | $21,000 |
| Factor rate (illustrative) | 1.22 |
| Total repaid | $25,620 |
| Cost of the funding | $4,620 |
| Term | about 6 months |
| Daily payment (126 payments) | $203 |
| Payments as a share of deposits | 3.3% |
Who this fits
Usually a fit
- Kitchens with failed HVAC or make-up air
- Owners replacing aging rooftop units
- Operators protecting staff safety
When to hold off
- Landlord-covered HVAC repairs
- Owners with reserves
- New kitchens without deposit history
What you’ll typically need
- Recent business bank statements
- HVAC quote
- Lease (for responsibility)
- Business details
Frequently asked questions
Is HVAC my responsibility or the landlord’s?
Check your lease; many commercial leases assign it to tenants.
Can funding cover crane and installation?
Yes; working capital can cover all related costs.
How quickly can money for a rooftop or make-up air unit arrive?
Most kitchen files get a same-day decision once bank statements are uploaded, and approved money for a rooftop or make-up air unit often lands within one or two business days.
Does a 500 credit score rule me out for a rooftop or make-up air unit?
No. Applicants from 500 can be reviewed for a rooftop or make-up air unit; the deposit history does most of the work, and better credit typically improves the terms you are offered.
Kitchen too hot to cook?
Apply now.
Updated October 6, 2026