UrgentEquipment
AC Not Cooling the Kitchen or Dining Room
A commercial HVAC system that isn't maintaining set temperatures may have a refrigerant leak, dirty coils, or a failing compressor.
Urgency
Urgent
Service area
Southern California
Dispatch
Within 48 hrs
First steps before the BohPro arrives
Recommended
Document the current temperatures in both the kitchen and dining room and note when the problem started. Contact a licensed commercial HVAC technician within 24 hours to inspect for refrigerant leaks, compressor function, and coil condition. While waiting, check and replace air filters if accessible, ensure all vents are unobstructed, and monitor refrigeration unit temperatures closely to catch any secondary food safety issues early.
The root causes and what they cost you
Cause
What’s causing it
Commercial HVAC systems in kitchen environments fail to cool for several predictable reasons. Refrigerant leaks are common and reduce the system's ability to transfer heat, often caused by vibration, corrosion, or worn fittings over time. Condenser and evaporator coils accumulate grease and dust faster in kitchen environments than in standard commercial settings, blocking heat exchange and forcing the system to work harder. A failing compressor, which is the heart of the refrigeration cycle, can result from years of overwork, electrical issues, or running low on refrigerant. Clogged air filters and blocked return vents are also frequent culprits that are easy to overlook during busy service periods.
If you wait
What happens if you wait
An HVAC system that cannot maintain temperature puts food safety at risk by raising ambient temperatures in prep and storage areas, potentially pushing time-temperature sensitive foods into the danger zone. Staff performance degrades quickly in a hot kitchen, increasing the likelihood of errors and accelerating turnover. If dining room temperatures become uncomfortable, guests leave and revenue drops the same day. Continued operation with a failing compressor or refrigerant leak typically results in full system failure, which is significantly more expensive to repair than addressing the root cause now.
Compliance risk if you wait
LA County Environmental Health requires that food storage and prep areas maintain temperatures that prevent food from entering the danger zone, and an HVAC failure that contributes to improper food temperatures can result in a correction notice or closure order during inspection.
Symptoms you might see
coolinghvactemperaturerefrigerant
One dispatch, one licensed tech, one paper trail
Boh routes a vetted, licensed provider to your kitchen. Every visit is documented with before-and-after photos, a service report, and a compliance certificate when the work touches a code class. You never chase a vendor.
Want it scheduled, not reacted to? See Kitchen Coverage plans →
Often seen alongside this one
Hood Not Pulling Air / Weak SuctionHot Spots or Uneven Temperature in Dining RoomHVAC Making Loud or Unusual NoiseKitchen Filling With Smoke During Service
Don’t see your symptom? Describe what you’re seeing →