These figures are typical South Bay / Central Valley planning bands for light-to-mid commercial scope — not a quote from Precision Heating & Cooling. Site conditions, crane access, and Title 24 path change the number.
Typical cost ranges
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MUA tune / balance on existing equipment | $2,500–$8,000 | Test-and-balance, damper fixes, controls tweaks. Does not replace undersized or failed MUA hardware. |
| Dedicated tempered make-up air unit (typical hood) | $18,000–$55,000 | Installed MUA with gas or electric heat, duct tie-in, interlocks. Hood/exhaust modifications extra. |
| Dining + kitchen RTU package refresh | $25,000–$75,000+ | Depends on tonnage, curb work, grease filtration, and whether kitchen and dining zones stay separate. |
| Full hood / MUA / HVAC remodel allowance | Capital project — bid from drawings | Health dept, fire, and grease duct rules dominate. Do not use a national $/ton shortcut. |
What moves the price
- Hood CFM and fire-suppression interlocks dictate MUA size and controls logic.
- Grease duct cleaning access and fire wrapping can add scope outside the HVAC contract.
- After-hours and weekend labor is normal for operating restaurants.
- Central Valley summer peaks make undersized MUA feel like “AC failure” in the kitchen line.
- Title 24 and outdoor-air compliance still apply even when the dining room is small.
When this guide applies
- Staff complain of smoke pull, door suction, or kitchen heat while dining feels cold.
- A hood upgrade or menu change increases exhaust CFM.
- You are writing a TI allowance for a food-service suite.
- An RTU keeps failing because it is fighting unbalanced exhaust.
Failure modes to avoid
- Pricing dining RTUs without measuring hood exhaust and MUA tempering.
- Using residential ductless as a kitchen MUA substitute.
- Ignoring grease filtration and fire-code clearances until inspection.
- Awarding the lowest HVAC number that excludes hood interlocks.
FAQs
Can we reuse the existing MUA with a new RTU?
Sometimes — if capacity, tempering, and interlocks still match the hood. A survey beats assuming reuse will save money.
Why is restaurant work more expensive than office RTUs?
Grease, fire codes, after-hours labor, and balanced OA/exhaust add scope offices rarely need.
Do you handle refrigeration too?
Precision supports light commercial HVAC and related mechanical scope; walk-in refrigeration may be coordinated or referred depending on equipment. Ask at bid time.
Are these numbers a fixed price?
No — they are typical South Bay / Central Valley planning bands for honest light-to-mid commercial kitchen scopes.
Next step
Ready for a site-specific number? Request a commercial bid — we will survey before we price.