Do air curtains really work?

Do air curtains really work? Yes, air curtains do work if they are effectively selected, installed and maintained. The idea is to create a controlled flow of air across a doorway to create an invisible barrier that helps separate the indoor and outdoor environments.

In practice, a well-sized air curtain can reduce cold draughts, limit heat losses, improve comfort in the vicinity of entrances and decrease the amount of heated or cooled air leaking from the building. This is particularly useful in shops, offices, warehouses, loading bays, restaurants and commercial entrances where people frequently open the doors or leave them open for access.

However, an air curtain will only work properly if it is correctly sized to the door height, door width, building pressure conditions and usage pattern. If the unit is too small, installed too high or at an improper angle, or the air velocity at the floor level is too low, the air stream may not be effective in reaching the floor. That way the cold air can still get in underneath.

Air curtains are not a replacement for effective doors, insulation or heating systems, but they are a very effective supporting measure. They can provide improved comfort, reduce draught complaints, assist in the protection of indoor temperatures and assist in lower energy use in busy commercial buildings when specified correctly.

Our full range of air curtains are listed on this webpage – scroll down to the section which is detailed: Industrial and Commercial Air Curtains