Invest in your long term success

 At XLT, we believe that we have the best machinery to build conveyor ovens and exhaust hoods.  We also want our customers to have the best machinery to make pizzas with.  The AVI exhaust hood is different than other exhaust hoods, but we feel the AVI is the best hood ever manufactured.  It offers reduced initial cost and operating expense, as well as a cooler, quieter and cleaner kitchen.

The most obvious difference is the heat containment shrouds.  Scientific studies have proven that shrouds encompassing the conveyors are absolutely the best way to capture and contain heat from ovens (CKV ventilation design guides: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 – CKV Lab Report: PDF ).  Since the AVI hood achieves full capture and containment at such low exhaust rates, operators enjoy both reduced initial costs and reduced operating expenses.

Reduced initial costs are achieved by using less exhaust flow rates and consequently, less Make-Up Air (MUA).  Most of our customers have reported that they can maintain very comfortable kitchens with about 3-5 tons less AC than previously required.  The savings in NOT having to buy additional AC units goes a long way towards paying for your AVI exhaust Hood.

Reduced operating expenses are also achieved by using less exhaust flow rates and MUA.  A smaller exhaust fan and fewer rooftop AC units are substantially less expensive to operate.  So while the initial cost of the AVI Hood may be marginally higher than other exhaust hoods in the market, the overall installed costs and operating expenses are dramatically lower.

Other exhaust hood designs are simply an upside down sheet metal box, with no provision to integrate other systems, such as the exhaust fan, MUA units or fire suppression.  They require more labor and additional components to satisfy code requirements.  This method is costly.

The AVI control system can reduce initial costs by integrating the fire suppression system.  The AVI control system supplies components that can be easily wired, plumbed, and connected.  Just integrating the fire suppressions system can go a long ways toward paying for the AVI Hood.

The AVI control system can also reduce operating expense by integrating the exhaust fan and MUA units.  Sometimes operators forget to turn on the exhaust fan when they turn on ovens.  Fire departments have completely shut down stores because store personnel complained of exhaust fumes.  This unfortunate situation can be avoided if the exhaust fan is interlocked with the ovens, which some local building codes now require.  The AVI control box can accomplish this function as well, with significant time and money savings.  Additionally the AVI control system can control multiple MUA dampers to match the CFM load required by the exhaust fan.

The AVI control system also offers a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to control the speed of the exhaust fan.  When one, two, or three ovens are in operation, the VFD is programmed to vary the speed of the exhaust fan to optimize the exhaust flow rate.  This reduces expenses 2 ways, first by using just enough air to get the job done, and second, by saving electricity on exhaust fan operation.

Additionally, AVI has a direct drive exhaust fan rather than a belt drive exhaust fan.  The direct drive design does not use V-belts.  V-belts typically must be replaced annually, and can cost around $200 including labor.  Estimated costs over a 20 year span can be around $4000.  We have also witnessed many operators who were unaware that their V-belt was broken.  This can result in much higher AC costs, as well as increased CO levels in the kitchen.  The AVI hood has an indicator light to show the operator that the exhaust fan is in operation.

Beyond the initial cost savings and operating expense savings, there are other tangible benefits that many operators now understand.  Using the AVI hood with proper MUA, kitchen spaces will remain cool and comfortable to the benefit of all employees.  Kitchens have been known to be extremely hot and uncomfortable environments to work in.  The AVI hood captures all the heat from the oven and effectively ventilates it.  Kitchens are also quieter, since the shrouds block some of the noise from the oven.  Another benefit of the AVI hood is no more yellow ceiling tiles.  It is obvious when looking at ceilings around pizza ovens if a hood is working properly.  With the AVI hood’s unique heat containment shrouds surrounding the ends of the ovens, all the grease and heat is captured and removed from the operating space.

The AVI hood can easily justify itself financially several times over, in both initial cost savings and operating expense savings.  With the most effective capture and containment performance, integrated exhaust fan controls, fire suppression controls, and reduced exhaust fan operation, the AVI hood is Simply the Smartest equipment decision you will ever make.