Your Leading Door Air Curtain Manufacturer in China | Aosun

Why Air Curtains Are Needed in Entrances？

Generally, in public areas like shopping malls, hotels, or offices, main doors are usually equipped with HVAC systems to offer comfortable interior temperatures. However, along with the opening of a door, hot and cold air instantly mix, not merely loading the air conditioning but also wasting energy.

Air curtains are designed to address this issue. It is mounted on doors and creates an “invisible wind curtain” which separates indoor and outdoor air. Not only does it conserve energy, but it also repels insects, dust, and odors, giving clean and cozy spaces.

How Does an Air Curtain Work at Doorways?

Did you ever feel a gentle breeze on your head when entering a restaurant or mall?

That’s actually an air curtain. Installed above doorways, it uses internal high-speed fans to draw in air, and then rapidly blows the airflow down through small outlets, creating a smooth air barrier. The airflow seals off indoor and outdoor air, preventing the cool or warm air from escaping. It keeps flying insects and dust out, too.

Now, with increasing applications of air conditioning, air curtains have become a common fitting in all public places. In case you need a power-efficient air curtain for your business complex, restaurant, or shopping center, you can get a reliable, power-saving, and noiseless system from Aosun. We will provide you with a one-stop customization service.

Are Door Air Curtains Efficient for Outdoor Doorways?

Air curtains installed over doors and windows do create a consistent layer of air between outdoor and indoor spaces, effectively reducing airflow exchange, dust intrusion, and heat loss.

A Technical University of Madrid research report states that using air curtains in shopping buildings can cut energy use by more than 30%, a finding confirmed by various experiments.

But if you want to receive the optimum from air curtains, the selection of air curtain products as per AMCA or ASHRAE is crucial. Efficiently qualified air curtain units are not only energy savers, but also provide clean and comfortable indoor air.

Advantages of Door Air Curtains

Reduced Energy Bills

You will be amazed at how much cash a small air curtain can save you. It quite noticeably lightens the burden on your HVAC system and can reduce cooling and heating energy usage by as much as 80%. Generally, your investment pays for itself in 2 to 5 years.

Creating a Comfortable Environment

Interior setting is a big draw in getting people in. A cozy interior temperature not only keeps visitors longer, but also facilitates each entry and exit more easily. Wheelchair users and stroller customers appreciate an open door and an air curtain layout for barrier-free, trouble-free access.

Increase Foot Traffic

Air curtains permit your doors to stay open without the loss of cool air. This enables customers to view your displays and atmosphere at a glance, tempting them to come in and shop.

Maintaining Product Freshness

In refrigeration rooms or supermarkets, air curtains deliver continuous cooling. Air curtains are not a source of cooling, but they keep warm outside air, dust, or insects out, sustaining low-temperature environments. The air curtain makes refrigerated areas cooler every time the door is opened, enabling food to remain fresher for longer.

Enhance Safety

In cases of emergency, like fire, door air curtains can be used as smoke barriers temporarily. They slow down smoke, giving valuable time for evacuation and improving overall safety.

Door Air Curtain Types

Door air curtains can be classified based on airflow direction, type of heating, and circulation, as explained below.

Classification Based on Airflow Direction

1. Horizontal Airflow Type (Upward-Blowing)

This is the most common type of air curtain design. You would find it installed at shopping malls, theaters, and museum entrances.

Hanging above the door, the airflow creates a stable downward-moving curtain that prevents outdoor dust, warm air, and insects from entering indoors. In high-traffic spaces where doors are continuously opened and closed, it significantly reduces energy loss and maintains indoor purity and temperature equilibrium.

2. Vertical Airflow Type (Side-Blowing)

This air curtain is installed on both sides of the door, discharging airflow horizontally. It is used in areas with not much overhead space or special structural designs.

It forms a full air seal at the doorway without taking up overhead space. It is typically installed in industrial plants, cold storage corridors, or logistics workrooms, and prevents exterior hot air and dust from entering to maintain a stable working environment.

Classification by Heating Method

Several heating systems directly affect the efficiency and comfort of air curtains while applied during winter. Below are three common horizontal air curtain heating systems to help you pick the model best suited for your entrance area.

1. Electric Heated Air Curtains

When you require an air curtain that not only prevents drafts but also adds a touch of warmth in winter, the electric heated air curtain is usually the way to go.

Its heating elements warm the air stream rapidly before it condenses, which prevents the wind that goes through the door from allowing cold air in and maintains the air at comfort. Installation is simple, and this type is common in shopping centers, chain stores, and bank lobbies.

2. Hot Water Heated Air Curtains

For buildings that already have central hot water systems in place—office buildings or hotels, for instance—hot water-heated air curtains are most efficient.

They employ internal hot water coils to warm the airflow, with steady operation and low energy consumption. If long-term operating cost or system integration is a significant concern to you, this type is well worth exploring.

3. Steam-Heated Air Curtains

In cold climates or industrial doorways, steam-heated designs are the more common choice.

Heating airflow with steam coils creates a warm, forceful air curtain at doors. From the aisles of warehouses to automobile service bays, this design minimizes heat loss, maintaining indoor temperatures stable.

Classification according to Air Recirculation

When a decision is to be taken for an air curtain, along with heating equipment, the circulation system also offers a helpful basis of categorization. The door air curtains are typically separated into non-recirculating and recirculating air curtains.

1. Recirculating Air Curtains

As the name suggests, recirculating air curtains utilize the airflow let out outside and cycle it back into the concerned area, creating an internal circulation system.

This design offers more rigid air flow and a more uniform air curtain with reduced outside interference.

They are usually employed in situations where there needs to be heavy temperature control and cleanliness, like cold storage environments, cleanrooms, or laboratories.

2. Non-Recirculating Air Curtains

Non-recirculating air curtains are easier to operate—you can observe them draw in air from inside or outside, accelerate it with a fan to form the air curtain, but not recirculate air.

This variety is marked by ease of operation, consistent performance, and easy maintenance. It is particularly well-suited for areas of high-frequency door opening, such as in shopping centers, restaurant entrance ways, or warehouse loading docks.

How to Choose an Overdoor Air Curtain?

The model of the air curtain depends on where you are going to install it. Different buildings and doors need dramatically different air curtains as well. The following are some factors to bear in mind in choosing the most suitable model:

1. Building Size

Large shopping malls and small retailers call for totally distinct air quantities. In front of the doors of huge department stores or shopping malls, air curtains typically employ greater airflow with more outlets to prevent hot-cold air mixing. For restaurants and small convenience stores, light models might be adequate for continuous opening of doors.

2. Environmental Needs

Each air curtain has its best usage for it. For example, in the entrance of a refrigerated storage building or room, you need to have a recirculating air curtain—it reuses exhaust air, contains cold air inside, and saves energy. For normal commercial buildings, electrically heated ones are most commonly applied.

3. Door Type

Is your door revolving, manual, or automatic? This will have a direct effect on the operating mode of the air curtain.

• Open entrances: In case your door remains open all the time, we recommend that you choose a continuously operating air curtain to provide a constant airflow barrier.
• Automatic door sensors: We recommend models with sensor control, which operate only when the door is open for maximum energy efficiency.
• Revolving doors: Although your door functions as a barrier, on buildings with great temperature disparities or large traffic flows, installation of a curved air curtain indoors or outdoors is recommended. Curved air curtains may be installed to closely hug the door curve, also limiting heat transfer and maintaining the indoor temperature more stable.

4. Level of noise

Noise control must be implemented in areas like restaurants, hotels, and workplaces.

Low-noise air curtains will enhance comfort for your employees and patrons without disrupting the quiet atmosphere within the area.