What is a heated air curtain?

What is a heated air curtain? A heated air curtain is an air curtain that produces a controlled flow of warm air across a door or entrance. It is usually mounted above the door and blows air downwards, creating an invisible barrier between the indoor and outdoor environments.

Its main purpose is to help reduce cold draughts, to minimise heat loss and to increase comfort for people entering, exiting or working in the vicinity of the doorway or entrance. Rather than passing air without heat, an ambient air curtain adds heat to the stream of air.

A heated air curtain adds warmth to the air stream, unlike an ambient air curtain that only moves unheated air through the unit.

Air curtains, heated, are commonly found in commercial buildings such as shops, offices, reception areas, restaurants, warehouses, showrooms, etc., where doors are opened frequently. Depending on the model, they can be powered by electric heating elements (i.e., electric heated air curtains), low-pressure hot water (water-heated air curtains) from a boiler or heat pump (heat pump air curtains) system or other heating sources.

A hot air curtain is not an overdoor heater. Its main function is to form an air barrier and at the same time to provide additional heat at the entrance or doorway.

When correctly sized and installed, heated air curtains can improve comfort, reduce draughts, and help lower the strain on the building’s heating system.