What Is an Air Curtain?

Air curtains are commonly used in commercial spaces as a barrier between interior temperatures and the outdoor environment. Air curtain installation improves air quality. The right air curtain provides energy savings and prevents the infiltration of pollutants into indoor spaces. An industrial air curtain prevents the dust from getting in and provides insect control. They’re helpful in residential spaces but can also benefit the health of commercial employees and the customers of retailers.

In this article, I’ll explain what an air curtain is and how air curtains work to give you a better understanding of this energy-efficient barrier.

What You Need To Know About Air Curtains 101

An air curtain is a piece of equipment that uses a blower fan to discharge high-capacity airflow. An air curtain is also known as an air door. It is typically used to create a barrier between outside air and cold air inside, especially across openings with differing air temperatures. Air curtains can also be installed sideways. Some manufacturers have air curtains that are equipped with heaters to discharge heated air.

Air doors are invisible barriers installed at the entrances or exits of supermarkets, theaters, shopping malls, exhibition halls, vestibules, loading docks, or warehouses. Most of the time, these doorways are kept open all the time for operational purposes.

Air doors save on energy costs by creating an air barrier and preventing the exchange of airflow between the inside and outside of a building. This prevents cooler, treated air from being wasted, therefore reducing cooling costs. 

Do Air Curtains Work?

The most energy-efficient way to conserve energy is to close an open door. Oftentimes, this isn’t possible in buildings with receiving doors that get frequent use or those with dock doors. These buildings benefit from air curtain installation.

An air curtain works by creating a barrier that helps to keep air conditioning spaces or heated warm air confined within a building. It is an energy-efficient barrier, saving on energy costs. During hot weather, the air curtain keeps the humid and warm air outside the building from coming into the air-conditioning. Doing this keeps the internal humidity and the interior temperature of the space comfortable.

Take note that this air barrier will be affected if there is a draft caused by the ventilation or exhaust system inside a building. Maintaining equal pressure on both sides of the air curtain throughout its operation is crucial.

How Air Curtains Work

An air curtain that is installed above a doorway works by drawing air into the front of the intake grill, which is then forced into the air chamber by the blower fan. The air is forced to flow down through the discharge nozzle.

The cubic feet per minute (cfm) of the airflow must be strong enough to reach the bottom of the floor to create an effective barrier between the outdoor and indoor temperatures. The cfm of a typical unit can range from 340 cfm to 1,100 cfm. It is also a good idea to check the sound level of the unit, which may go up to 60 dBA.

Depending on the size of your doorway, you can get air curtains at widths starting from 3 feet. Measure your doorway width before deciding which model to purchase.

Apart from creating an air barrier to prevent energy loss from the building, air doors also help to keep flying insects from entering the building. The invisible barrier created by air velocity will stop insects or bugs that try to enter a building.

In areas with prevalent exhaust gasses, high-speed airflow helps prevent unhealthy gasses from entering the building. Air curtains also work to keep foul odors, smoke, and other contaminants from entering the building.

Using air doors can help prevent airborne particles, especially in manufacturing floors sensitive to dust, from entering the space. An air curtain will also maintain the humidity of the space by keeping outside humid air from entering the building.

Does My Business Need an Air Curtain?

Air curtains are necessary tools for use in commercial spaces. They act as a barrier between the interior and exterior environment and maintain air quality. They effectively prevent pollutants from entering a space, providing a healthier environment for both customers and employees. By minimizing airflow exchange, air curtains contribute significantly to energy savings. They preserve conditioned air and reduce heating and cooling costs. Additionally, if the model has heaters, they can help maintain a cozy indoor temperature no matter how the weather changes.

Adding air curtains to commercial settings improves building efficiency and comfort. An air curtain prevents the entry of dust, insects, and unwanted odors. This technology not only maintains a building’s cleanliness. It also regulates humidity, and keeps indoor temperatures optimized. Businesses benefit from reduced energy consumption and customers and employees enjoy a more pleasant environment.

Final Thoughts

Air curtains serve as an important barrier between indoor spaces and the outside elements. Beyond simply partitioning spaces, a well-installed air curtain provides substantial energy savings by significantly reducing heating and cooling bills through the prevention of conditioned air from escaping.

Air curtains operate by creating a powerful stream of air that forms an invisible barrier at entrances or openings. They effectively prevent the intrusion of outdoor humidity, dust, odors, and other contaminants. This technology regulates indoor humidity levels, making it ideal for environments sensitive to moisture and air quality. Installing an air curtain creates a more comfortable space, improves indoor air quality, and provides a healthy environment for employees and customers