What are air curtains, how do they work, and what are they used for? This article will discuss what air curtains do and some of their most important features.
What Are Air Curtains?
An air curtain or air door is a machine that blows air across an opening to create an air seal that will separate different environments while allowing free movement through the opening. Air curtains owe some of their design details to the invention of revolving doors, which create air-tight seals that keep the elements out and resolve issues in spaces where elevator shafts or stairs increase air pressure, making it difficult to open doors. Like revolving doors, air curtains also work to separate different environments. In that sense, you might think of them as invisible doors.
How Do Air Curtains Work?
Air curtains can be used with or without a second door or barrier. They are mounted on the temperature-controlled side of a door and provide a constant stream of air that is strategically designed to hit the floor at a specific velocity. The velocity at which this air must flow is determined by the velocity of any outside air, such as wind. To work, the air curtain must blow with enough force to counteract other air.
What Do Air Curtains Do?
According to the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA), air curtains help in blocking out flying insects, dust, wind, cold/warmth, and ambient moisture. They also provide an alternative to vestibules, which in recent history have become a requirement of building codes in order to make buildings more energy efficient. According to an Air Curtain Study conducted by AMCA, air curtain-protected doorways were proven more effective than vestibules, reducing energy usage by a factor of 0.3-2.2 percent.
But there is more than one type of air curtain. These include indirect gas-fired curtains, electrically heated air curtains, steam or hot water coil air curtains, and ambient or unheated air curtains. While the air curtain feature on all of these works similarly, the added feature of heat is often used in slightly different ways.
What are air curtains with gas heat transfer used for?
Indirect gas-fired air curtains are most commonly used in warehouse settings or in other large buildings that depend on propane or gas for heat.
What are other heated curtains used for?
Electric, steam, and hot water heated air curtains are most commonly used in restaurants or other indoor public spaces where cold drafts are a problem. The type of heat used usually matches the type of heating used in the building.
What are unheated air curtains used for?
These air curtains can be used as unheated curtains during warmer months to keep the inside environment separate from the one outside.
Air curtains make buildings more comfortable and energy efficient. And the good news is that learning how to install air curtains isn’t too difficult.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.