If you know how air curtains work, you might be wondering if they’re a good fit for your building, especially if you’re trying to keep the atmosphere of your space protected from any outside interference. But do air curtains really work and can they stop outside pests like flies and other bugs?
In this article, we’ll discuss the effectiveness of air curtains and how to install them for the best impact.
What Do Air Curtains Do?
Before you decide whether or not air curtains are an effective solution, you might want to understand what you can expect to achieve with them. So what exactly do air curtains do? This can be broken down into a few categories.
Energy Efficiency
Air curtains were approved by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as an alternative to vestibules for increased energy efficiency. And according to an air curtain study conducted by the Air Movement and Control Association, air curtain-protected doorways reduced energy usage by a factor of 0.3-2.2 percent more than vestibules.
Temperature Control
What do air curtains do to regulate temperature? Air curtains are designed to shoot a stream of air that hits the floor with enough velocity to create a divide on either side of the air stream. This is ideal for maintaining the temperature of an inside space, especially over doors that open to extremely cool or hot environments. They can also come with heating mechanisms to provide further temperature regulation.
Insect Control
Do air curtains stop flies or other insects? In a study published in the journal Pest Management Science, researchers concluded that strong fliers such as the honey bee, even when motivated by a food source, could be deterred by an air curtain that was set to a high velocity. Effectiveness went down, however, when velocity was lowered. This suggests that air curtains can be an effective deterrent against pests, but an appropriate setting needs to be found.
So, do air curtains really work? If you’re considering them for any of the above purposes, then the answer is yes. But in order for your air curtains to work effectively, it’s important to install them correctly.
How to Install Air Curtains
1. Determine the size you need
Before you purchase an air curtain, it’s important to determine the correct size. A curtain that does not extend the entire length of a passageway will lose effectiveness.
2. Select placement location
Determine the area where you want to install your air curtain. Most curtains come with mounts. Use the mount to test an ideal position. Remember that many air curtains require an electrical outlet, so position your curtain within reach of one. For the best placement, consider the following:
Proximity to door
Where do you put air curtains? The closer your air curtain is to the doorway, the more effective it will be. It is recommended that you attempt to get it anywhere from ½" to 2" above the door.
Multiple curtains
If your entryway requires more than one air curtain, make sure you position the air curtains as close to one another as possible.
Avoid extreme temperatures
Installing your air curtain in an area with extreme temperatures, such as a freezer, could ruin the air curtain. Use the outside section of the freezer instead.
3. Attach air curtain
With the mounting plates secured in place, attach your air curtain to the mount. If an obstruction prevents you from placing the air curtain in your desired location, it’s possible to purchase extension brackets. Or you can mount the curtain to the ceiling, but this requires extra safety precautions.
Why Should You Install Air Curtains
Once you understand what air curtains do, you can use them for more than just stopping flies. They are popular in industrial settings, warehouses, and any area that experiences large temperature shifts due to high traffic. For employees in these areas, air curtains can provide more comfortable working environments.
Restaurants and other customer-facing businesses also use them to increase comfort levels for guests. A properly installed air curtain can not only help prevent cold air from blowing in on chilly days, but also allow restaurant owners to prop their doors open for a more welcoming environment. Additionally, air curtains are ideal on patios. Heated air curtains can create more usable patio space in colder months, and the heat can be turned off during the summer while the curtain can still be used to stop flies and other bugs.
Air curtains help you make your space more energy efficient and comfortable, so learning how to use them to their fullest potential could save you money and create a more welcoming environment.
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.