Air curtains, revolving doors and automated doors
Air curtains (also known as ‘air doors’)
If your premises has an entrance that has to remain open to the elements, then an air curtains (also called an ‘air door’) can act as an insulating temperature barrier between the outside and inside. In summer they prevent cool air from getting out and hot air from getting in. In winter, they do the reverse. They can also help to minimise the loss of chilled air from coolrooms. This can potentially reduce your air- conditioning bills.
Air curtains are created by a fan that forces air from the top of the door opening to the bottom, creating an invisible ‘curtain’. The fan that powers the jet of air needs to be strong enough to reach the floor.
The benefit of air curtains on external doors is maximised when they’re used in conjunction with automatic doors, where the air curtain only kicks in when the door opens and automatically turns off when the door shuts.
The other benefit of air curtains is that they can block out external smells, pollution and bugs.
To achieve a reduction in overall HVAC costs, air curtains need to be properly installed. If the unit is installed incorrectly, undersized or underpowered for the task, you may see little to no energy savings. When installing an air curtain, ensure that it is highly efficient and located where there is no significant wind factor.
Air curtains use energy, so you need to be sure that the energy savings are greater than the energy costs. That’s why it pays to get expert advice when you buy them and have them installed. To see if an air curtain would be appropriate and cost-effective for your business, talk to your EcoSmart Electrician or technical services provider.
Air curtains (also known as ‘air doors’)
In summer, automated doors help to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. In winter, they do the opposite by keeping warm air in and cold air out.
Options include automatic sliding doors, revolving doors and air lock doors. Air locks are used in entrance lobbies and have two sets of doors. As the front doors open, the second inside doors remain shut. These inside doors only open when the front doors have shut.