Air curtains create an invisible, high-speed air screen across open doorways. The barrier keeps warm air inside during winter and cool treated air inside during summer. Staff and visitors pass freely through the stream, so buildings avoid bulky vestibules or revolving doors.
Each avoided draught cuts heat loss, reduces chiller load, and welcomes customers with a pleasant entrance. Commercial sites across the UK install air curtains UK-wide to guard entrances in shops, warehouses, and offices. Savings grow with each door cycle, making the pay-back period short and clear.
By holding conditioned air where it belongs, a modern air curtain can trim energy use by up to thirty percent while improving comfort for everyone inside, and supporting carbon reduction goals.
What Are Air Curtains and How Do They Work?
An air curtain is a fan unit mounted above or alongside a doorway that discharges a narrow, fast jet of air across the full width of the opening. The jet meets outside air and forms a barrier that limits mixing between the two air masses.
Because the indoor and outdoor temperatures differ, the airstream bends slightly back toward the warmer side, which further strengthens the seal. Sensors linked to the fan modulate speed so the curtain responds to door status and traffic flow, using only the power needed.
In practice, commercial air curtains draw room air through a filter, accelerate it with an axial or centrifugal impellor, and guide it through a shaped nozzle that produces a uniform velocity profile. Discharge velocity typically ranges between seven and twelve metres per second, high enough to resist wind gusts yet low enough for quiet operation. Some models include heating coils—electric, hot-water, or heat-pump—to raise the leaving air temperature for added comfort in colder seasons.
Whether heated or ambient, correctly sized units stop up to eighty percent of doorway heat loss, protect indoor air quality, and pay back their installation cost in a short time when doors open often.
The Science Behind the Invisible Air Barrier
A moving sheet of air behaves like a light, flexible door. When expelled at the right speed, the jet sticks to itself through shear forces and keeps its shape from grille to floor. Pressure on the warm side pushes the stream outward while cooler outdoor air presses inward, creating a balanced line that seals the gap.
Because the two air bodies stay separate, temperature, humidity, and airborne particles remain on their own side of the doorway. Most of the jet’s energy is kinetic rather than thermal, so the running cost per hour is low. Laboratory tests show that a correctly tuned curtain can block four out of five cubic metres of infiltration, even in windy conditions. That stability boosts savings.
Main Types of Commercial Air Curtains
Commercial air curtains fall into four groups. Ambient units use room air and suit warehouses or summer entrances. Electric heated models warm the jet with resistance coils and give instant comfort in cold weather.
Hot-water coils link to a boiler and offer high heat output at low running cost. Heat-pump units capture waste warmth from the building to raise efficiency. Recessed styles hide within a ceiling grid, while industrial models span bay doors up to five metres high.
Core Air-Curtain Benefits for UK Commercial Buildings
Air curtains give businesses three clear gains: reduced energy loss, improved indoor air quality, and lower heating and cooling bills. At busy entrances a door can open hundreds of times an hour, creating a conveyor belt that drags treated air outside. By sealing that opening, a curtain shrinks the energy penalty of each cycle, leaving boilers and chillers with less work to do. Studies from UK supermarkets show annual gas savings above fifteen per cent and electrical savings above ten per cent after installation.
The barrier also blocks dirt, fumes, and insects that ride in on gusts. Fewer pollutants reach sales floors, reception desks, and storage areas, so staff breathe cleaner air and products stay in better condition. Comfort rises too, because temperature by the doorway stays steady rather than swinging with every trolley movement.
Finally, the cumulative cost saving is significant. Lower plant load means smaller utility bills and a flatter demand curve, which can unlock cheaper energy tariffs. Some owners even downsize replacement equipment because peak heating demand falls. When capital outlay and running costs are compared, a standard commercial air curtain in the UK often pays back within eighteen months, and its service life exceeds a decade.
Additional air curtain benefits include discouraging birds that might enter, reducing slip hazards by keeping rain spray outdoors, and allowing open-door trading that invites footfall without penalty. All day long safely.
Cutting Energy Loss at Doorways
Each opening event acts like a pump that exchanges indoor and outdoor air. Commercial air curtains stop this pump by forcing a controlled, downward jet across the threshold. The jet divides the two environments so leakage drops to a fraction of its former rate.
Thermal imaging in office lobbies shows surface temperature around the doorway rising by up to six degrees after installation. Less escaping heat means boilers cycle less often, which extends their service life and cuts carbon output.
Improving Indoor Air Quality & Comfort
Outdoor air can carry exhaust fumes, pollen, dust, and insects that spoil indoor comfort. By limiting uncontrolled inflow, an air curtain forms a first defence before the HVAC filters take over. Customers no longer feel a sudden chill or whiff of diesel when the door swings open.
Staff working near the reception desk report fewer colds and sore throats. Because the curtain keeps the micro-climate stable, thermostats hold set-point with less modulation, which further boosts wellbeing throughout the day.
Lowering Heating and Cooling Costs
Energy modelling for a mid-size fashion shop in Manchester found that installing an ambient air curtain cut annual gas use by 12,000 kWh and electricity by 4,000 kWh. At current UK tariffs that equates to roughly two thousand pounds saved each year.
If a heated unit replaces plug-in fan heaters near the door, savings grow again because the curtain runs at a higher coefficient of performance. On the cooling side, peak demand can drop enough to avoid hiring a temporary chiller during summer sales events and improves grid load factors.
Heated Air Curtains for Doors: Added Efficiency and Comfort
Heated air curtains for doors combine the barrier effect with a gentle wash of warm air, easing the transition between outdoor and indoor climates. In shops and restaurants, that welcoming breeze encourages customers to linger near displays placed close to the entrance, boosting sales potential.
The coil lifts the discharge temperature by ten to twenty degrees, yet the overall energy use often still falls because heat loss through the doorway plunges. For buildings with gas boilers, tying the unit into the low-temperature circuit gives cheap heat that keeps running costs modest. Electric models suit sites that benefit from surplus renewable power or time-of-use tariffs, while heat-pump coils score highest on seasonal efficiency when linked to a reversible VRF system.
Many heated curtains carry variable output control. During milder weather the coil throttles back, delivering the barrier with minimal extra heat. On frosty mornings it shifts to full output and prevents the cold plume that used to creep across the floor. Users notice warmer feet and fewer complaints about draughts.
Because the warmth blows downwards, it does not disrupt lighter conditioned air stratified at ceiling level, so comfort improves without wasting energy aloft. This dynamic response keeps pay-back periods reassuringly short.
When to Specify Heated vs Unheated Models
Choose a heated model when people pause near the door, for example in cafés, chemists, or ticket offices. If staff stand on a reception desk directly in the airflow, the extra warmth stops chilled shoulders. Ambient units work well for warehouses, plant rooms, and supermarket goods entrances where staff wear jackets.
Temperature set-back times matter too: heated curtains recover comfortable conditions quickly after overnight shutdown, which helps businesses that open early. If the site operates an electric vehicle charger or solar PV, selecting an electric coil may absorb surplus power.
Balancing Running Costs and Payback
Running cost depends on coil type, local tariffs, and hours of use. Electric resistance heat costs around thirty pence per kilowatt-hour on a standard contract, whereas gas boilers supply heat at roughly ten pence per kilowatt-hour equivalent. Hot-water coils therefore give the shortest pay-back where gas is available.
A heat-pump coil, linked to a VRF, can drive cost below five pence per kilowatt-hour during mild weather by moving, rather than creating, heat. Include fan energy in the calculation: a curtain draws less than half a kilowatt at full speed. When savings from reduced infiltration are counted, the yearly net cost is negative, so the curtain pays back from day one.
Installing Commercial Air Curtains in the UK — Best Practices
Correct installation determines how well an air curtain performs and how long it lasts. Before ordering, survey the site to record door width, height, wind exposure, and traffic pattern. Measure clearance above the lintel and note any lights or sensors that might block airflow.
Select a unit that covers the full opening with at least ten per cent overlap on each side and delivers a discharge velocity high enough to reach the floor. Installers then mount the chassis as close to the doorway as practical, ideally within fifty millimetres, to keep the stream intact.
Electrical connections must follow BS 7671 and include local isolation for safe maintenance. If fitting a hot-water coil, lag the pipework and provide automatic air vents at the high points. For heat-pump coils, follow the manufacturer’s refrigerant guidelines and pressure-test the system before pulling vacuum. Door-open contacts or infrared sensors should link directly to the curtain controller so the fan ramps up only when needed, extending motor life and saving power.
Once commissioned, the installer should demonstrate simple user checks, supply the maintenance schedule, and record airflow and noise readings for reference. In Scotland and coastal regions, engineers may specify marine-grade stainless housings to resist salt spray, materials.
Site Assessment and Sizing
Begin by counting door cycles at peak and off-peak periods to estimate annual operating hours. Measure the height to the finished floor and the clear width between the jambs. Record wind pressure readings if the entrance faces prevailing winds, as this influences required jet velocity.
Select a model that matches or exceeds the door width, as under-sizing leaves gaps that leak air and waste power, and note planned future extensions.
Positioning for Maximum Performance
Mount the air curtain as close to the door head as space allows so the jet reaches the floor before spreading. If ceiling height is generous, fit side panels to guide airflow and stop cross-drafts. Angle the nozzle two degrees toward the outside to counter negative pressure that might draw the stream indoors. Keep lighting, signage, and security cameras clear of the discharge path, as any obstruction breaks the sheet and reduces effectiveness. Use hangers that dampen vibration for quietness.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Certified installers understand airflow, electrical safety, and control integration. They test velocity with calibrated anemometers and adjust fan speed to match door height. They commission sensors, set run-on timers, and train staff in daily checks. This expertise prevents early failure, ensures the manufacturer’s warranty stays valid, and delivers the energy savings promised in the proposal. They also document serial numbers, balance water circuits, and file compliance records for building inspections.
Maintenance Tips to Maximise Energy Savings
Routine maintenance keeps airflow strong and energy use low. Inspect the intake grille each month and vacuum dust that can choke the fan. Wash or replace filters quarterly to maintain design pressure.
Check motor bearings for noise and play, lubricating according to the maker’s schedule. On heated models, bleed the coil at the start of each heating season and confirm water temperature with a digital probe. Test door sensors to ensure the fan switches off within five seconds of the door closing. Record airflow velocity and noise levels annually; a sudden fall points to obstruction or belt wear. While the cover is off, tighten electrical terminals and examine insulation for signs of heat.
These small tasks take less than an hour yet preserve the door seal, cut breakdowns, and hold running costs at their lowest point. Schedule a deep clean every three years to remove grease build-up in hospitality locations.
ROI Comparison: Air Curtains vs Vestibules and Automatic Doors
Many architects consider vestibules or automatic sliding doors to control drafts, yet both carry higher capital and operating costs than an air curtain. A framed vestibule can require structural work, finishes, and extra cleaning, pushing the installed price beyond £12,000 for a single retail entrance. Automatic sliders cost less up front but still leak conditioned air every time the leaf moves, and their drive units draw power all day.
In contrast, a commercial air curtain for the same opening costs around £3,000, installs within one shift, and draws power only when the door activates. Energy modelling across three UK climates found that vestibules saved 35 % of heat loss, sliders 20 %, and air curtains 28 %. When investment and savings are combined, the curtain achieved a pay-back in 1.5 years, the vestibule in 5 years, while the sliders never paid back within their service life under typical footfall assumptions.
Start Saving Energy and Money with a Custom Air Curtain Solution
Air curtains give commercial buildings a proven path to lower energy bills, steadier comfort, and cleaner indoor air. By sealing the most active opening without hindering footfall, they deliver savings every minute a door swings.
Whether you need ambient protection for a warehouse or heated air curtains for doors on a busy high street, Coolstream can design and fit the right solution.
Book a free survey today, and see how quickly your site could start saving money and carbon. Our engineers use precise airflow modelling, local climate data, and real energy prices to build a clear, reliable return-on-investment forecast. Today.
