Installing aircond in your kitchen might sound unnecessary — until you've spent an afternoon cooking rendang in a Malaysian kitchen at 36°C. More homeowners and restaurants are exploring kitchen cooling, especially with open-concept designs where kitchen heat affects the living space.
Why Kitchens Are Tough on Airconds
1. Grease and Oil Vapour
Malaysian cooking produces significant airborne grease that coats evaporator coils and filters. Kitchen airconds can need cleaning every 4-6 weeks vs 3-4 months for bedrooms.
2. Heat Load
A gas stove produces 3,000-5,000W of heat. Add ovens and body heat, and kitchens can generate 5,000-8,000W — far more than any bedroom. You need a much larger unit.
3. Moisture and Steam
Boiling, steaming, and washing add huge moisture loads that stress the aircond's dehumidification and can overwhelm the drain system.
Best Aircond Types for Kitchens
A ceiling cassette is better than a wall-mount for kitchens — cassettes distribute air evenly and are mounted away from the grease zone. For commercial kitchens in Kota Damansara and the Klang Valley, ducted systems with grease filtration are the gold standard.
Sizing Your Kitchen Aircond
- Small home kitchen (6-8 sqm): 1.5-2.0HP minimum
- Open-concept kitchen-living (20-30 sqm): 2.5-3.0HP or multi-split
- Commercial kitchen (30-50 sqm): 5.0HP+ or multiple units
Always use an exhaust fan together with the aircond — it removes heat and grease at the source.
Essential Installation Tips
- Position indoor unit away from the stove — opposite wall or ceiling
- Install a proper kitchen exhaust hood (non-negotiable)
- Use models with washable, removable filters
- Schedule servicing every 6-8 weeks for kitchen units
- Use larger drain pipe (20mm) for extra condensation
💡 Open-Concept Kitchen-Living Rooms
The living room aircond ends up fighting kitchen heat. Solution: a separate kitchen aircond or a more powerful living room unit combined with an effective exhaust system. Simply cranking up the living room aircond leads to an icy living room and a warm kitchen.
Kitchen installations typically cost more than bedroom installations due to extra drainage requirements and grease-resistant considerations. Our installation cost guide breaks down what to expect for different room types.
Maintenance for Kitchen Airconds
- Filter cleaning: every 2 weeks (home) / weekly (commercial)
- Professional coil cleaning: every 6-8 weeks
- Chemical wash: every 6 months (dissolves grease)
- Drain flush: monthly
For tips between professional visits, see our guide on maintaining aircond between services.
Planning Kitchen Aircond Installation?
Special considerations for heat, grease, and humidity. Get expert advice for your kitchen or commercial space.
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