Air curtains FAQ: Technology, Benefits and Applications
Find practical answers to the most common questions about air curtains: how they work, where they are used, how they support energy efficiency and comfort, and what to consider when selecting, installing and maintaining the right system for your building.
Please choose a topic:
1. Basics and how air curtains work
What is the purpose of an air curtain?
An air curtain creates a powerful, invisible stream of air across a door or gate opening. This air stream forms a barrier between indoor and outdoor areas, helping to keep out cold or warm air, dust, insects and exhaust fumes without the need to close a physical door.
As a result, the indoor climate remains more stable and heating or cooling systems can operate more efficiently.
For more details, please see our section on how air curtains work.
What is the difference between an ambient air curtain and a heated air curtain?
The main difference between an ambient air curtain and a heated air curtain is the temperature of the air discharged and the type of application they are designed for.
Ambient air curtains do not have a heat exchanger or heating element. They use the surrounding air and are often installed in industrial buildings to reduce the ingress of outdoor air at hall doors and to minimise draughts in working areas.
Heated air curtains discharge warm air. The indoor air drawn into the unit is heated either via a heat exchanger connected to the building’s heating system or by an electric heating element. This creates a more comfortable entrance area while maintaining effective separation between indoor and outdoor air.
If you are unsure which version is best suited to your building, please contact one of our consultants. They will be happy to help you find the right solution.
What are the advantages of a heated air curtain?
Air curtain systems can operate with ambient air, be connected to the building’s heating system, or be heated electrically. All versions can provide effective air separation when correctly selected and installed.
A heated air curtain improves comfort in the entrance area and helps create a welcoming environment for customers, visitors and employees. Passing through a warm air stream is generally perceived as more pleasant, especially in colder months.
Heated air curtains are suitable for a wide range of commercial and industrial buildings, including shops, restaurants, warehouses and entrance areas with regular foot traffic. If the indoor space is already sufficiently heated, the heating function can be switched off and the unit can continue to operate in ambient mode.
When does an electrically heated air curtain make sense?
An electrically heated air curtain is particularly suitable for retrofit projects where connecting the unit to the building’s heating system is not possible, difficult or disproportionately expensive.
It can be a practical solution for entrances where no heating pipework is available, where installation work needs to be kept to a minimum, or where a flexible, self-contained heating option is required.
2. Applications and benefits
Why are air curtains so common in shops?
Shops use air curtains for several important reasons.
Air curtains help reduce uncontrolled air exchange between indoor and outdoor areas. In winter, this limits heat loss; in summer, it helps keep warm outside air from entering the shop. This can reduce the load on heating and air conditioning systems.
They also improve customer comfort. By helping to maintain a stable indoor temperature, air curtains create a more pleasant shopping environment without the need to keep entrance doors closed.
Another advantage is architectural flexibility. Air curtains can be integrated discreetly into entrance areas and allow doors to remain open and inviting, supporting visibility, access and customer flow.
Air curtains also help maintain a stable indoor climate in smaller shops, save energy and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Even with large entrance façades, air curtain systems can be integrated almost invisibly into the existing architecture.
Do air curtains cool a room in summer?
Air curtains are not designed to cool a room by themselves. Instead, they help keep warm outdoor air from entering and conditioned indoor air from escaping through open doors.
This can improve the efficiency of an existing air conditioning system, because the system has to work less to maintain the desired indoor temperature. The result is a more stable and comfortable indoor climate on hot days.
In some applications, air curtains can also be designed with cooling via chilled water or refrigerant. Please contact our experts if you would like to know whether this option is suitable for your building.
What is the difference between an air curtain and an air conditioning system?
Air curtains and air conditioning systems perform different functions.
An air curtain creates an invisible air stream across an open doorway. It helps separate indoor and outdoor air, reducing heat loss, draughts, dust, insects and warm air ingress.
An air conditioning system actively controls the indoor climate by cooling, heating or dehumidifying the air inside the room.
In short: an air curtain protects the doorway, while an air conditioning system conditions the room.
Air curtain vs overdoor heater: what is the difference?
When choosing an entrance climate solution, many building owners compare air curtains with overdoor heaters. Although both are often installed above doorways, they are designed for different purposes.
An overdoor heater provides warmth near the entrance. An air curtain provides separation between indoor and outdoor air and is therefore the better choice where comfort, energy efficiency and doorway protection are important.
Air curtains
- Cover the full width of the doorway
- Use high-performance fans to project a strong air stream
- Create a uniform air barrier across the entrance
- Help maintain indoor temperature and reduce energy loss
Overdoor heaters
- Are often narrower than the doorway
- Usually have less powerful fans
- Provide localised heating rather than an air barrier
- Are mainly suitable for smaller, low-traffic entrances
3. Energy efficiency and operating costs
Do air curtains save energy?
Yes, correctly selected and installed air curtains can help save energy. They create an invisible air barrier across open doorways, reducing the uncontrolled exchange of indoor and outdoor air.
In winter, this helps limit heat loss. In summer, it helps keep conditioned air inside and reduces the ingress of warm outdoor air. As a result, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can operate more efficiently and maintain a stable indoor temperature with less effort.
Air curtains are particularly effective in commercial buildings with frequent door traffic, such as shops, restaurants, hotels, warehouses and industrial facilities.
How energy-efficient are air curtains?
The energy efficiency of an air curtain depends on several factors, including door size, installation height, door-opening frequency, indoor and outdoor temperatures, pressure conditions and the performance of the heating or air conditioning system.
When correctly sized and adjusted, air curtains can significantly reduce uncontrolled air exchange at open doors. Teddington air curtains with the patented CONVERGO® pressure-chamber nozzle system are designed to reduce infiltration particularly effectively.
How much energy can be saved in a specific building depends on the individual entrance situation. You can use our efficiency calculator to estimate the potential savings for your project.
Important: An incorrectly sized unit, insufficient air performance or incorrect installation can reduce or even cancel out the benefits of an air curtain. In some cases, it may also lead to unnecessary energy consumption. For best results, the system should be designed and adjusted for the specific entrance.
Contact our experts to find the right solution for your entrance.
How long does a door need to be open for an air curtain to be economical?
An air curtain can be economical wherever doors are opened regularly or remain open for longer periods. This is especially true for high-traffic entrances in shops, restaurants, hotels and industrial buildings where doors are frequently used by customers, employees or suppliers.
Even if the door is open only for a few minutes per hour, an air curtain can help reduce energy losses and stabilise the indoor climate. The more often or the longer the door is open, the greater the potential benefit in terms of energy savings, comfort and protection from draughts, dust and insects.
Use our online efficiency calculator to estimate how much energy you could save with an air curtain in your building.
Are air curtains sustainable and environmentally friendly?
Air curtains can contribute to more sustainable building operation by reducing energy losses at open doors and improving the efficiency of heating and air conditioning systems.
By helping to maintain a stable indoor climate, air curtains can reduce the amount of energy required for heating or cooling. This can lower operating costs and, depending on the energy source, reduce CO₂ emissions.
They are particularly useful in high-traffic buildings such as shopping centres, restaurants, commercial buildings and industrial facilities, where doors are opened frequently and indoor comfort needs to be maintained.
You can estimate the potential energy savings for your building using our efficiency calculator.
4. Installation and maintenance
How do you install an air curtain?
An air curtain is usually installed on the ceiling or wall above the door opening. The exact position is selected carefully to ensure that the air stream covers the entrance effectively.
After installation and electrical connection, the unit is tested to make sure it operates correctly and provides the required air flow across the doorway.
For best results, installation should be carried out by experienced specialists who can take account of the door dimensions, mounting position, air discharge direction and site conditions.
How much maintenance does an air curtain need?
Teddington air curtains are designed for low-maintenance operation. However, regular inspection and cleaning are important to maintain reliable performance, energy efficiency and a long service life.
The unit should be checked regularly for dirt and dust. Filters and fans should be cleaned as required, and functional checks should be carried out to ensure that the air curtain continues to operate efficiently.
If you have any questions about installation or maintenance, please contact us. Our experts will be happy to help.
What factors should be considered when choosing the right air curtain?
Choosing the right air curtain system for your building depends on several factors. Each of these influences the effectiveness, comfort and energy efficiency of the system.
- Area of application: Consider where the air curtain will be installed, for example at an entrance door, roller shutter or cold room. The application influences the required size, type and performance of the system.
- Door size and installation height: The dimensions of the door are crucial. Wider and higher openings require more powerful units to ensure effective air flow across the full doorway.
- Climatic conditions: Local climate, outdoor temperatures and the wind situation at the entrance all influence system selection. In colder climates, a heated air curtain may be required, while in warmer regions an ambient air curtain may be more suitable.
- Air flow velocity: The air flow velocity is important for the effectiveness of the air curtain. It must be matched to the application and entrance situation to create an effective air barrier.
- Noise level: Noise can be important for user comfort, especially in sensitive areas such as offices, restaurants or hotels. In these applications, low-noise models should be considered.
By taking these factors into account, you can select an air curtain system that supports both energy efficiency and user comfort. Our product finder helps you find the right air curtain for your requirements in just a few clicks. If you need help selecting the right system, please contact us. Our experts will be happy to advise you.
5. Comfort and health
Can air curtains contribute to employee wellbeing and reduce sickness absence?
Air curtains can help improve comfort for employees by reducing draughts at open doors and supporting a more stable indoor climate.
In entrance areas, warehouses, workshops and other buildings with frequent door traffic, cold draughts can be unpleasant and may affect workplace comfort. By helping to separate indoor and outdoor air, air curtains can make these areas more comfortable for employees, customers and visitors.
A more stable indoor climate can support employee wellbeing. However, air curtains should not be presented as a medical solution or as a guaranteed way to reduce sickness absence. Their main contribution is to improve comfort, reduce draughts and help maintain more consistent indoor conditions.
How loud are air curtains in operation?
Modern air curtains are designed to operate quietly and unobtrusively. The sound level depends on the model, air performance, installation situation and surrounding room acoustics.
In many applications, the sound level is comparable to normal background noise or a conversation. However, when selecting an air curtain, noise should always be considered in relation to the size of the entrance, the required air performance and the sensitivity of the area.
For better comparability of sound data, it is advisable to look for specifications in accordance with ISO 27327. This international standard is used by leading European air curtain manufacturers. The technical data for Teddington air curtain systems is provided in accordance with this standard and is regularly tested by the Institut für Luft- und Kältetechnik Dresden (ILK).
With the E-Series Silent, Teddington offers a particularly low-noise air curtain model for areas where a quiet environment is important, such as offices, restaurants, libraries and hotels.
6. Further considerations
Do air curtains run continuously or only when needed?
Whether an air curtain runs continuously or only when needed depends on the application, the entrance situation and the control concept.
In high-traffic areas such as shops, restaurants, hotels and office buildings, air curtains are often operated continuously during opening hours to maintain a stable air barrier against cold, heat, draughts and other external influences.
However, modern air curtains can also be controlled automatically. Depending on the system, they can be linked to door contacts, sensors or building controls so that they operate only when the door is open or when air separation is required. This helps optimise energy consumption and ensures that the unit runs only when needed.
In warehouses, production areas and industrial buildings, continuous operation may be useful if doors remain open for longer periods or if a stable indoor climate needs to be maintained. The operating mode should therefore be selected according to the building use, door-opening frequency and comfort requirements.
What are the disadvantages of an air curtain?
Air curtains offer many benefits, but there are also some points to consider before selecting a system.
- Initial cost: The purchase and installation cost of an air curtain can be relatively high, especially for large entrances, high-performance units or architecturally integrated solutions. However, efficient air curtain systems can often pay for themselves over time through reduced energy losses at open doors. Our experts will be happy to advise you on the most efficient solution for your entrance situation.
- Energy consumption: Air curtains require electricity to generate the air stream. It is therefore important to select an efficient unit and operate it appropriately. Teddington air curtains with the patented CONVERGO® pressure-chamber nozzle system require less air volume than conventional systems to achieve effective separation, which can reduce energy demand for the same shielding performance. Use our online calculator to estimate your potential energy savings with a Teddington air curtain in just a few clicks.
- Maintenance: Like any mechanical system, air curtains require regular maintenance to ensure efficient and reliable operation. Teddington air curtains are designed for low-maintenance operation. The P-Series is particularly easy to maintain thanks to its design.
- Noise: Some air curtains can generate noticeable noise during operation, particularly in quiet environments. If sound levels are important, for example in offices, hotels, restaurants or libraries, a low-noise model such as the Teddington E-Series Silent should be considered.
- Limited effectiveness in extreme conditions: In very strong winds, severe weather or unfavourable pressure conditions, the effectiveness of an air curtain may be reduced. In such cases, additional measures may be required to maintain comfort and separation performance. Our experts will be happy to advise you on suitable options for demanding entrance situations.
Despite these potential limitations, a correctly selected, installed and adjusted air curtain can offer clear benefits in high-traffic areas where comfort, energy efficiency and protection from external influences are important.
Still have questions? Simply use the contact form below to get in touch with us. Our team will be happy to advise you personally, whether you need support with technical details or have specific project requirements.
Get in touch with us!
Please fill out the contact form. Fields marked with * are mandatory.
We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
- Air Discharge System: CONVERGO® pressure chamber nozzle system
- Air Discharge Range:
- Mounting position:
- Area of application:
- Shape:
- Heating type:
- Sound insulation:
- Unit Length: Unit length made to measure
- Fan technology: AC