What is an air curtain (also known as an air door)? How do air curtains work? These appliances are useful for a variety of uses, but you may have some questions that need attention before you make your purchase. That’s why we’ve created this handy FAQ page to answer all your questions about air curtains. Don’t see your question listed? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help you find the answer for your needs.
FAQs
- What is an air curtain?
- How do air curtains work?
- What does an air curtain do?
- Who needs an air curtain?
- Are air curtains noisy?
- Are air curtains effective?
- Are air curtains expensive to run?
- Next steps - Buying your air curtain
What is an air curtain?
An air curtain is a special fan-like appliance that uses air to create a barrier between two areas (i.e. an indoor and outdoor space or two rooms) to control temperature and contamination.
What does an air curtain do?
By forcing air in a downward direction, air curtains create a virtual wall between two areas to accomplish two things:
- Control temperature - Similar to a door, an air curtain acts as a barrier between two rooms or spaces to control temperature and prevent hot/cool air from entering or escaping.
- Control contamination, including keep bugs out as well as dust, pollen and other debris.
An air curtain makes a great alternative to a physical door because it still allows people to move about freely between the two spaces, without worry of air escaping.
How do air curtains work?
Air curtains are similar to fans in that they generate a blast of air. The difference with air curtains is that they force the air downward to create an invisible barrier between two spaces, such as in an entryway to a store. This barrier blocks air from flowing between the two areas.
There are two types of air curtains: Heated and unheated. Heated air curtains are ideal for those who are primarily concerned about temperature control — for example, a shopping mall that wants to prevent heat from escaping through its sliding doors during the cold winter months. They provide protection against contaminants as well (i.e. dust, insects, etc.) while offering the added benefit of heat.
Unheated air curtains are perfect for those who are mainly concerned about contamination. They are useful in sensitive areas such as hospitals, body shops and kitchens where contaminant control is a top priority. The air curtain forces air down to prevent contaminants from entering the protected area.
Check out our blog for more information on how air curtains work.
Who needs an air curtain?
Air curtains are ideal for commercial use, including but not limited to:
- Restaurants - Air curtains keep your patrons comfortable as the enter and exit your restaurant entrance, and help to keep your cool or hot air inside.
- Drive-thru windows - Keep your employees comfortable as they serve customers all throughout the day, no matter the temperature outside.
- Shopping malls / Brick and mortar stores - Keep shoppers cool during the summer and warm during the winter by installing an air curtain in your store’s entrance.
- Kitchens / Walk-in freezers - Prevent bugs from making their way into your kitchen or walk-in — and prevent cold air from escaping from your freezer — with the help of an air curtain.
- Auto body shops - An air curtain can prevent contaminants such as insects, dust and dirt from entering your shop and damaging car finishes.
- Hospitals / Assisted living facilities - Protect sensitive areas from contamination and keep employees and patrons comfortable with an air curtain.
- Warehouses (shipping / receiving facilities) - An air curtain can prevent warm or cool air from escaping your warehouse.
Are air curtains noisy?
A properly working air curtain will not be loud when it is running. Most air doors are about as loud as normal conversation volume. If your air curtain is excessively noisy, it could be a sign of a problem. All of the air curtains we offer here at Total Home Supply come with at least a one year parts warranty with some models including up to five years. Be sure to study yours to understand what is and isn’t covered under warranty.
Are air curtains effective?
Yes. If you’re looking for a solution to keep bugs out as well as dust, pollen, paint overspray and other chemicals, an air curtain may be right for you. Air curtains are also highly effective at controlling temperature and are particularly ideal for building entrances where heat or cool air can easily escape. Air doors can pay for themselves after only a short period of use.
Are air curtains expensive to run?
Every usage of an air curation is different. If you install an unheated air curtain to create a bug barrier over a small door, it will cost very little to run. If your primary concern is contamination, insect or fly control, an unheated air curtain may work best for you. For larger doors or installations where climate control is more important, operational costs can be higher. However, these costs are offset by savings in operating costs from your HVAC system. Heated air curtains save money by preventing hot or cool air from escaping from your building.
Next steps - Buying your air curtain
If you’re ready to make your purchase, browse our air curtain collection. Keep in mind that just like any Total Home Supply product, our air curtains ship for free to any of the contiguous United States.
Still not sure which type of air curtain is right for you? Contact us and we’ll put you in touch with one of our trained specialists.
