To have a pleasant indoor environment, the mere installation of a cooling mechanism is not enough; businesses and factories will have to take measures that would prevent the entry of unwanted air and pollutants into the premises via constantly opening doors.
That’s where the role of an air curtain comes in alongside an air conditioning system.
Though an air conditioner and an air curtain work together in enhancing the comfort level and energy efficiency inside a room, an air conditioner and an air curtain have completely distinct roles.
The former works by conditioning the air inside, while the latter creates an airflow across the doorway to create an isolation barrier. In this article, you will learn about the difference between an air curtain and an air conditioner, their applications, advantages, and ways to choose the appropriate mechanism for your room.
What Is an Air Curtain?
Air Curtain is a system that is fitted above or at the side of an opening that generates a constant flow of high-velocity air from one area to another. It acts as an invisible barrier of air between the two regions.
It can prevent the infiltration of air, dust, pollution, insects, and even temperature variations through an open doorway. Contrary to the air conditioner, the air curtain system is not used for cooling purposes.
Air curtains are widely used above the openings of commercial, retail, restaurant, hospital, hotel, warehouse, and industrial buildings.
Also Read: What is an Air Curtain and What is the Purpose of an Air Curtain?
What Is an Air Conditioner?
The definition of an air conditioner is a cooling device that controls the temperature inside an enclosure by absorbing heat. Based on its type, an air conditioner may not only maintain temperature inside an enclosure but humidity as well.
An air conditioner can be found in residential areas, offices, shops, hotels, manufacturing units, hospitals, and many other places where temperature control is essential.
Whereas the operation of an air conditioner revolves around controlling indoor temperatures, the air curtain operates based on isolating the doorway.
Air Curtain vs Air Conditioner: Key Differences
Although both systems can aid in creating comfortable indoors, they have different uses.
| Attribute | Air Curtain | Air Conditioner |
| Main use | Provides air shield for entrances | Cools indoor air |
| Location of installation | Typically above doorways | Wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, window unit, HVAC |
| Main purpose | Assists in preventing undesired air exchanges | Removes heat from indoors |
| Open-door compatibility | Designed for use in open-door settings | The cooling effect reduces when doors are left open |
| Insect prevention | Assists in preventing entry of insects through the entrance. | Does not prevent insects from entering through entrance |
How Does an Air Curtain Work?
The air curtain includes a system of fans or blowers that pull air from the inside and release it towards the opening either horizontally or vertically at high speed.
If the installation is done properly, the air curtain will act as a barrier for the entrance. In case the entrance is kept open, the barrier will prevent air interchange between indoors and outdoors.
Take, for instance, a retail business where the entrance doors are kept open all the time during operating hours. Each time when the warm air from the outside comes in, the air conditioner has to function more intensively in order to keep the desired indoor temperature.
The air curtain would minimize this problem of air exchange while keeping the entrance open.
Also Read: How Air Curtains Work And Why They’Re Worth Installing
How Does an Air Conditioner Work?
The air conditioner utilizes the refrigeration cycle to get rid of the heat from indoor air.
Air from the room is moved through the cooling coil in the indoor unit. Then, the heat is absorbed by the refrigerant and taken out of the system in the outdoor unit or condenser system.
The cooled air is released back into the indoor space.
Air Curtain and Air Conditioner: Can You Use Them Together?
Yes. For instance, in many business and industrial places, employing an air curtain together with an air conditioner would be a better solution compared to using just an air conditioner.
The air conditioner will regulate the temperature indoors, while the air curtain will help avoid any unnecessary movement of air into the premises.
This could be beneficial in such places as stores, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, warehouses, and many others.
What Are Industrial Air Curtains?
Industrial air curtains refer to high-grade air barriers intended for large doors and severe working conditions.
They are typically utilized in:
- Industrial plants
- Warehouses
- Distribution centers
- Refrigerated storage facilities
- Loading docks
- Workshops
- Big commercial buildings
- Industrial processing facilities
An industrial installation may have increased demands for air volume and construction strength, as well as operating durability, compared to a commercial installation.
Selection of air curtains is based on such factors as size of the doorway, installation height, environmental conditions, and usage frequency.
What Is an Air Curtain Commercial System?
A commercial air curtain is typically meant for use in business premises that have constant movement through their entrances.
Commercial air curtains can be used in:
- Shopping malls
- Supermarkets
- Retail stores
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Office buildings
- Showrooms
- Banks
- Hospitals
The appropriate model is dependent on the size of the entrance and its surroundings.
Benefits of Installing an Air Curtain
- Helps Minimize Outdoor Air Infiltration
The air curtain will assist in minimizing infiltration of outdoor air through the open doors, thus creating a stable environment inside the building.
- Facilitates Air Conditioning
In case an open door is common in a building, conditioned air from inside can escape outside while outdoor air infiltrates the building. In such a situation, the air curtain can help minimize the exchange of air, hence lowering the air conditioning load.
- Helps in Insect Prevention
The high-speed airstream makes it hard for flying insects to penetrate the door; therefore, an air curtain is effective in preventing insects in restaurants, food stores, and commercial buildings.
- Helps in Preventing Outdoor Dust
With proper application of an air curtain on appropriate doors, it assists in minimizing infiltration of outdoor dust.
- Customer Accessible
Air curtain doesn’t hinder the movement of customers or equipment in and out of a building.
Also Read: Benefits of Using Air Curtains & How Does An Air Curtain Work?
Air Curtain vs Air Conditioner: Which One Should You Choose?
The decision is based on what you mainly require.
Choose an air conditioner when:
- You wish to provide cooling to an enclosed space.
- The indoor temperature regulation is your primary concern.
- You require equipment that is made specially for space cooling purposes.
- Your doors are usually closed or are hardly ever opened.
Choose an air curtain when:
- Your entrance door is usually open.
- You wish to decrease the amount of outdoor air entering the interior.
- You require preventing the entry of insects and dust.
- Your building is a commercial or industrial one.
- You need additional cooling equipment to the existing one.
How to Choose the Best Air Curtain
Selecting an optimum air curtain cannot just involve choosing the one that can operate at maximum capacity since the device must suit the dimensions and operation conditions of the door.
- Dimensions of the Entrance
Measure the height and width of the entrance before choosing a model since the dimensions of the air curtain must fit well.
- Distance to the Floor
The distance of the air curtain to the floor is an important factor. Make sure you choose a model suitable for your installation height.
- Operating Conditions
Industrial and retail environments have very different specifications, and, therefore, different equipment might be needed.
- Usage of the Entrance
If the door is rarely used, the requirements are different from those of a door that is opened throughout the day.
- Flow Rate and Motor Specifications
The flow rate must be suitable for the door dimensions and environment, while the motor must be able to handle the operation conditions.
When Should You Consider a Custom Air Curtain?
The customized air curtain can be used in situations where normal air curtains do not fit the size of the particular entry.
Consider the use of custom solutions in cases of:
- Very wide entries
- Extremely high doorways
- Large industrial entries
- Unique commercial areas
- Special installation needs
- Certain airflow requirements
Before opting for custom solutions, there is a need to evaluate several factors, including the size of the doorway, installation environment, and airflow requirements.
Why Choose Nova Tech for Air Curtain Solutions?
Here at Nova Tech, we know that there are various considerations for entryways when it comes to different commercial and industrial properties. We have developed a strategy that revolves around giving our clients viable air management solutions customized according to their particular demands.
In case you want an air curtain for your retail shop, hotel, restaurant, office building, warehouse, or industrial facility, it is important to choose the right equipment.
We at Nova Tech can help our clients find the right air curtain for their doorway according to its usage pattern and other demands.
Final Thoughts
The air curtain and the air conditioner are not alternative solutions since they have different purposes. The air conditioner is intended for the air cooling and conditioning of the indoor space, whereas an air curtain provides an air shield at the doorway and helps to minimize the air exchange.
A combination of the air conditioner and air curtain can be considered an effective solution for businesses that need constantly opened entrances. For commercial organizations, it is possible to use properly sized equipment; industrial air curtains can be required in large facilities.
The choice will depend on many factors, including the dimensions of the door, environment, traffic, cooling needs, etc.