Commercial Ventilation Systems in Windsor, CA
When your business along Old Redwood Highway or near Windsor Gateway Shopping Center can’t breathe properly, neither can your employees or customers. Poor ventilation isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s a health hazard, a compliance nightmare, and it’s costing you money every single day.
Stout’s Heating & AC has been keeping Windsor businesses compliant and comfortable since 1992. We design, install, and maintain commercial ventilation systems that actually work for restaurants in Downtown Windsor, warehouses off Shiloh Road, medical offices near Windsor Town Hall, and every type of commercial space in between.
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Why Commercial Ventilation Matters in Windsor
Here’s the thing about running a business in Sonoma County: you’re dealing with unique air quality challenges that most HVAC companies don’t understand. Summer wildfire smoke from nearby regional fires. Valley fog in winter that traps moisture. Highway 101 particulates affecting businesses along the Bell Road corridor. Your ventilation system needs to handle all of it.
A properly designed commercial ventilation system does more than move air. It removes contaminants at their source, brings in fresh outdoor air, balances pressure throughout your building, and keeps you compliant with California Title 24 and ASHRAE standards. When it’s done right, your energy bills drop, your indoor air quality improves, and you stop getting complaints from staff and customers about stuffy, uncomfortable spaces.
Commercial Ventilation Services We Provide
Restaurant and Commercial Kitchen Ventilation
Running a restaurant near Windsor Town Green or Hembree Village Shopping Center means dealing with serious grease, heat, and odors. Your kitchen hood system isn’t optional; it’s your first line of defense against fire hazards and health department violations.
We install and maintain Type I hoods for grease-producing equipment and Type II hoods for steam and heat. Our systems include properly sized exhaust fans (roof-mounted and inline models), make-up air units that replace exhausted air at the required 80% rate, and grease exhaust systems designed to prevent buildup in your ductwork. Every installation meets California fire code requirements and integrates with fire suppression systems.
Most restaurants don’t realize they’re running negative pressure, which causes drafty dining rooms, back-drafting of gas appliances, and doors that are hard to open. We calculate CFM requirements based on your actual cooking equipment, not guesswork, and we balance your entire system so it works efficiently without wasting energy.
Warehouse and Industrial Ventilation
Windsor warehouses and manufacturing facilities near Skylane Boulevard and Windsor River Road generate heat, dust, and fumes that standard HVAC systems can’t handle. We design industrial exhaust systems with centrifugal fans and axial fans sized for your space, install supply air fans for proper air circulation, and set up dilution ventilation systems that keep contaminant levels below OSHA standards.
For facilities handling chemicals, solvents, or any process generating fumes, we install local exhaust ventilation that captures pollutants right at the source. Variable speed drives let you adjust airflow based on production schedules, cutting energy costs during slower periods while maintaining safety during full operations.
Office Building and Retail Ventilation
Your office building near Foothill Regional Park or retail space at Windsor Gateway Shopping Center needs consistent, comfortable airflow that doesn’t blast cold air on customers or create hot spots in conference rooms. We install demand-controlled ventilation systems that adjust outdoor air intake based on actual occupancy, cutting HVAC costs by 20-30% compared to constant-volume systems.
Every system we design includes MERV-13 filtration to handle Sonoma County’s seasonal wildfire smoke, humidity control for those damp winter months, and airflow balancing so every zone gets proper ventilation. We pay special attention to negative and positive pressure relationships between spaces, which matters when you’ve got areas like restrooms that need to stay under negative pressure.
Medical Facility Ventilation
Medical offices and clinics have stricter requirements than standard commercial spaces. You need proper air changes per hour (ACH), HEPA filtration in treatment rooms, and negative-pressure isolation rooms if you’re treating infectious patients. We design systems that meet California health codes and provide dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) that separate ventilation from temperature control.
Our medical facility ventilation includes energy recovery ventilators (ERV) that precondition incoming air, reducing the load on your heating and cooling equipment while maintaining the 6-15 ACH rates required for different medical spaces.
Brewery and Winery Ventilation
Windsor’s proximity to Sonoma County wine country means we work with plenty of wineries and breweries. Fermentation produces CO2 that needs proper exhaust. Tank rooms require specific temperature and humidity control. Tasting rooms need ventilation that doesn’t create drafts on customers while still meeting occupancy requirements.
We install exhaust systems for fermentation areas, design general ventilation for barrel rooms and tank storage, and set up HVAC systems for tasting rooms that balance comfort with efficiency.
Gym and Fitness Center Ventilation
Gyms generate heat, humidity, and odors that standard systems can’t handle. We design high-capacity ventilation for fitness centers that provides the outdoor air rates California Title 24 requires for these high-occupancy spaces, includes air scrubbing and filtration to control odors, and uses heat recovery to reduce the cost of conditioning all that outdoor air.
Why Ventilation Systems Fail
Most commercial ventilation problems come from three sources: undersized equipment, poor design, or lack of maintenance.
Your contractor installed the cheapest exhaust fan that technically met code, but didn’t account for duct length, static pressure, or future equipment additions. Now your kitchen hood doesn’t pull smoke like it should, or your warehouse stays uncomfortably hot even with fans running.
Maybe the system was designed okay but nobody’s cleaning filters, inspecting fan belts, or calibrating dampers. Dirty filters restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder. Worn belts slip, reducing fan speed. Dampers stick in the wrong position, throwing your entire pressure balance off.
Or the system was never balanced properly after installation. Some areas get too much air, others not enough. Your building pressurization is wrong, which affects everything from door operation to HVAC efficiency.
Our Commercial Ventilation Process
We don’t just throw equipment at problems. Here’s how we actually handle commercial ventilation projects in Windsor:
Assessment: We visit your facility, measure your space, identify your specific needs, and test your current system if you have one. For new construction, we review your plans and equipment schedules.
System Design: We calculate actual CFM requirements using ASHRAE formulas, not rules of thumb. We model your building’s airflow using proper engineering methods. We select equipment that’s appropriately sized, not oversized (which wastes energy) or undersized (which doesn’t work).
Installation: Our C-20 licensed technicians install everything to code. We use proper ductwork materials and sizing. We seal all connections to prevent leaks. We install vibration isolators so your fans don’t shake your building. We coordinate with your electrician and fire protection contractor.
Testing and Balancing: After installation, we test actual airflow at each outlet and exhaust point. We measure static pressure throughout the system. We adjust dampers and fan speeds until every zone gets the right amount of air. We document everything for your records.
Training: We show your staff how the system works, how to replace filters, what to watch for, and when to call us.
Title 24 and ASHRAE Compliance
Every commercial building in California must comply with Title 24 energy code and ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation standards. This isn’t optional. Building inspectors check it, and if you’re not compliant, you can’t get your certificate of occupancy.
Title 24 requires minimum outdoor air rates based on your space type and occupancy. Offices need 0.15 CFM per square foot. Retail spaces have different requirements. Restaurants need specific rates for dining and kitchen areas. The code also mandates MERV-13 filtration, proper filter racks to prevent bypass, and demand-controlled ventilation for certain building types.
ASHRAE standards specify ventilation rates that ensure acceptable indoor air quality. These include both per-person rates and per-square-foot rates. Your system needs to deliver whichever is higher.
We handle all the calculations, documentation, and coordination with building officials. Your Certificate of Compliance gets filed correctly, and you don’t have to worry about failed inspections delaying your occupancy.
Energy Recovery and Efficiency
Conditioning outdoor air is expensive. In summer, you’re cooling hot outside air to 72 degrees. In winter (at least during Windsor’s cooler months), you’re heating cold outside air. All that conditioning costs money.
Energy recovery ventilators (ERV) and heat recovery ventilators (HRV) transfer heat between exhaust and supply air streams. In summer, your cool exhaust air pre-cools the hot incoming air before it hits your AC system. In winter, warm exhaust air preheats cold incoming air before your heater deals with it. This cuts HVAC operating costs by 30-50%, which pays for the ERV equipment in just a few years.
We recommend ERVs for most Windsor applications because they transfer both heat and moisture. During our dry summers, that moisture transfer helps maintain comfortable humidity levels. During damp winters, it helps remove excess moisture.
Ventilation Maintenance Programs
Here’s what actually happens when you skip maintenance: filters clog, fan belts wear, motors work harder, energy bills climb, and eventually something breaks. Usually at the worst possible time, like mid-summer or right before a health inspection.
Our commercial ventilation maintenance programs prevent that. We visit quarterly or semi-annually depending on your facility type. We replace filters, inspect and adjust belts, check motor amperage, measure airflow, test damper operation, clean grease filters and ductwork (for kitchens), and catch small problems before they become expensive emergencies.
Restaurants and commercial kitchens need quarterly service. Most other facilities do fine with semi-annual maintenance. High-use buildings like 24-hour facilities might need monthly attention.
Emergency Ventilation Repair
When your exhaust system fails, you can’t operate. Period. Health departments shut down restaurants with non-functioning hoods. OSHA shuts down facilities with dangerous air quality. Your business stops making money.
We provide 24/7 emergency ventilation repair for Windsor businesses. Fan motor burned out? We’ll replace it. Belt snapped? We carry common sizes on our trucks. Control system glitching? We’ll troubleshoot and fix it. We respond fast because we know downtime costs you money.
Serving Windsor and Sonoma County
We serve commercial properties throughout Windsor, from Downtown Windsor to Bell Road commercial areas, and surrounding Sonoma County communities including Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Forestville, and Geyserville.
Our Santa Rosa-based location means fast response times for Windsor businesses. We know the local building departments, we understand Windsor’s specific climate challenges, and we’ve worked with every type of commercial property in the area.
Industries We Serve
Our commercial ventilation expertise covers diverse industries:
- Restaurants and food service (full-service restaurants, quick-service, cafeterias, catering kitchens)
- Retail and shopping centers (boutiques, grocery stores, shopping complexes)
- Office buildings (single-tenant, multi-tenant, professional offices)
- Medical and healthcare (medical offices, clinics, dental practices, urgent care)
- Industrial and manufacturing (production facilities, assembly operations, machine shops)
- Automotive (repair shops, body shops, detail centers requiring exhaust for fumes)
- Fitness centers (gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit boxes)
- Hospitality (hotels, tasting rooms, event spaces)
- Cannabis facilities (cultivation, processing requiring odor control and specific humidity)
Why Choose Stout’s Heating & AC for Commercial Ventilation
California C-20 HVAC License: We’re properly licensed for commercial HVAC work. Not all HVAC contractors are.
30+ Years Serving Sonoma County: We’ve been handling commercial ventilation in Windsor since 1992. We know what works here.
EPA Section 608 Certified: Our technicians handle refrigerants properly and safely.
NATE Certified Technicians: North American Technician Excellence certification means our team maintains current technical knowledge.
Local and Family-Owned: We’re your neighbors in Sonoma County, not a national chain pushing sales quotas.
Emergency Service Available: When your ventilation fails, we respond 24/7.
Preventative Maintenance Programs: We keep your systems running efficiently, preventing breakdowns.
Written Estimates: No surprises. You know the cost before we start work.
Warranty on Parts and Labor: We stand behind our installations and repairs.
Contact Stout’s Heating & AC for Commercial Ventilation in Windsor
Don’t wait for ventilation problems to shut down your business. Whether you need a new system designed, your existing system repaired, or regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns, Stout’s Heating & AC delivers commercial ventilation solutions that work.
We serve businesses throughout Windsor, CA and Sonoma County with professional HVAC services you can trust. Call us today for a free consultation and written estimate on your commercial ventilation project.
Licensed, Insured, and Locally Owned
Serving Windsor, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, and Sonoma County since 1992
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should commercial ventilation systems be serviced?
It depends on your facility type. Restaurants and commercial kitchens need quarterly maintenance because grease buildup happens fast and can create fire hazards. Warehouses and manufacturing facilities typically need quarterly service too, especially if you're generating dust or fumes. Standard office buildings and retail spaces usually do fine with semi-annual maintenance. Medical facilities often need quarterly service to maintain strict air quality standards. The real answer? Check your filters monthly. If they're dirty, you need more frequent service.
What's the difference between exhaust and ventilation?
Exhaust removes stale or contaminated air from your building and vents it outside. Think kitchen hoods, bathroom fans, or industrial exhaust pulling fumes from a process. Ventilation brings fresh outdoor air into your building and distributes it. Together, they balance your indoor air. You can't just exhaust air without replacing it (that creates negative pressure problems), and you can't just bring in outdoor air without removing stale air (that creates positive pressure and doesn't remove contaminants). A proper system does both in the right balance.
Do I need make-up air for my commercial kitchen?
Yes. California code requires it, and your kitchen won't work right without it. When your hood exhausts air, that air needs to be replaced. If it isn't, you create negative pressure that causes drafty dining rooms, hard-to-open doors, and backdrafting of gas appliances (which is dangerous). Make-up air units bring in outdoor air at about 80% of your exhaust rate. We size and position them so they don't blow directly on cooks or interfere with your hood's capture efficiency. Most building departments won't approve kitchen ventilation systems without properly designed make-up air.
How do I know if my ventilation system is working properly?
Several signs tell you something's wrong: stuffiness or odors that weren't there before, noticeable temperature differences between areas, increased customer or employee complaints about air quality, doors that suddenly are harder to open or close, visible smoke or steam not being captured by exhaust hoods, or increased energy bills without explanation. Professional testing measures actual airflow (in CFM), static pressure throughout your duct system, and building pressure relative to outdoors. We use calibrated instruments to verify your system is delivering design airflow to every zone.
What's involved in Title 24 compliance for commercial ventilation?
Title 24 (California's energy code) has specific requirements for commercial ventilation. You need minimum outdoor air rates based on space type and occupancy, MERV-13 or better filtration, properly sealed filter racks so air doesn't bypass filters, demand-controlled ventilation for certain building types, and duct leakage testing for new systems. We handle the calculations using ASHRAE formulas, prepare required documentation, coordinate with your building department, and ensure your system passes inspection. Title 24 compliance isn't optional; you can't get a certificate of occupancy without it.
Can ventilation systems help with wildfire smoke?
Yes, but only if they're designed for it. Standard commercial systems use MERV-8 filters that don't catch smoke particles. We upgrade to MERV-13 or MERV-16 filtration, which captures fine particulates including smoke. During smoke events, you want your system pulling less outdoor air and recirculating more indoor air (once it's been filtered). We install controls that let you switch to high-filtration recirculation mode during poor air quality days. For critical facilities like medical offices, we can install HEPA filtration. Given Windsor's proximity to wildfire-prone areas, this upgrade makes sense for most commercial buildings in Sonoma County.
What happens if my exhaust system fails during business hours?
For restaurants, the health department can shut you down if your hood isn't working. You literally can't cook without proper ventilation. For warehouses and manufacturing, OSHA can shut you down if air quality becomes hazardous. That's why we offer 24/7 emergency service. When your system fails, we respond immediately because we know every hour of downtime costs you money. Common failures include fan motors burning out, belts breaking, electrical issues, and control malfunctions. We carry common replacement parts on our trucks so we can often fix problems the same day. For major failures requiring special equipment, we can sometimes install temporary exhaust to keep you operational while we get the permanent fix done.
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