What are commercial air curtains? Are they a good idea for your business? What elements should you take into consideration when choosing and installing commercial air curtains?

Commercial air curtains are seeing a rise in popularity across Canada. If your business includes an opening to the street – for example, a door, garage or window – commercial air curtains could be a great choice. Read on for more information about the advantages and factors at play when choosing and installing commercial air curtains for your business.

What Are the Main Advantages of Commercial Air Curtains?

Comfort for your employees and clients is the top reason to install commercial air curtains. Air curtains help to maintain a more consistent temperature in any workplace or commercial space, year-round, by blocking out cold or hot air from outside. They also provide a cleaner space by reducing the dust and dirt that comes in from outside and help buildings to be more efficient.

Who Benefits from Commercial Air Curtains?

While air curtains contribute to a more comfortable working environment in any workplace with an opening to the street, they are particularly beneficial to people working in foyers or entryways: think security guards, receptionists, cashiers or retail workers, or anyone who is exposed to outside air coming in several times a shift. 

For anyone living in colder parts of Canada (re: almost everyone!), we can all relate to that feeling of receiving a blast of cold air from the door opening and closing on a frigid day. Now, imagine working in that environment all day – commercial air curtains can help!

What Are the Main Types of Commercial Air Curtains?

There are two main types of commercial air curtains: ambient and electric heating.

What Are Ambient Air Curtains Used For?

Ambient air curtains are used in interior settings; they are not useful in a spot that includes an opening to the outside. They help reduce the spread of odours and can also help with temperature changes. Ambient air curtains are quite useful to control the temperature at the entrance of a cold room in a restaurant or commercial space, or to keep odours contained within the space. For that reason, they are popular options in the food industry.

What Are the Popular Models of Ambient Air Curtains on the Market?

Electric Heating Air Curtains

Fun fact about electric heating air curtains: 90 percent of air curtains installed in Quebec and Canada are electric heating air curtains. And it’s easy to guess why: winter! Electric heating air curtains can be installed at an entryway to the outside, like a door, garage, drive-through window, or industrial or commercial space. They provide a heat source in the winter months and can block up to 90 percent of air coming into a space, depending on the negative pressure of the building where they’re in use.

What Are the Popular Models of Electrical Heating Air Curtains on the Market?

Some of the most popular models of electrical heating air curtains on the market include the following:

  • ORA-C air curtains from Ouellet
  • ORA-EC40 air curtails from Ouellet
  • ORA-J air curtains from Ouellet
  • ORA-HX commercial air curtain range from Ouellet

For a brief explanation of each type of air curtain model listed above, read more here.

What Configurations Do Commercial Air Curtains Come In and How Big Are They?

Commercial air curtains come in several configurations, based on the layout and needs of your building. They can be installed as free-hanging or recessed, and can be either vertical or horizontal.

Their size is determined by the following elements:

  • The height and width of the door or entryway 
  • The building’s voltage and power capacity 

Commercial air curtains can be used in buildings of any size, from compact to spacious. 

Electrical heating air curtains should be installed at the entryway to the outside. They are most effective when installed by the door, garage door, or commercial or industrial entryway. Ambient air curtains can be installed in any interior space in your business that features a temperature change or where you want to control odours.

Air curtains can be run continuously if needed. They can be controlled by the building’s system or thermostat for more effective use.

What Should the Air Curtain Velocity Be?

Air curtain velocity depends on the negative pressure of the building – in other words, the air intake of the building. The more negative pressure in the building, the more it will affect the air curtain velocity.

To determine the appropriate air curtain velocity for your business, an expert from Guillevin assesses each specific building’s needs and recommends the best option for the space. Air curtain velocity varies by manufacturer, so the model you choose will also affect the velocity options.

How is Air Curtain Velocity Set?

At installation, a technician will set initial power settings and air curtain velocity. After that, the air curtains adjust automatically based on the temperature and environment. Air curtains can also be integrated into a building’s maintenance system, which not only allows the system to adjust the velocity, but it also allows the air curtain to send an alarm if maintenance or repair is needed.

How Much Power Do Commercial Air Curtains Use?

The short answer is, it depends! The long answer is that air curtains use an average of between 2.25 kW to 30 kW , which is quite a wide range. Power consumption varies by building, depending on the building’s negativity and ventilation system. 

What Are the Common Voltages for Commercial Air Curtains?

The common voltages for air curtains are as follows:

  • For ambient air curtains: 
    • 240V 1-phase 60 Hz
  • For electrical heating air curtains: 
    • 600V 3-phase 60 Hz
    • 208V 3-phase 60 Hz

Are Commercial Air Curtains Expensive to Run?

The cost of air curtains really depends on the scope of the project, size of the building, and so on. The return on investment is determined by the building’s ventilation system and its negative pressure. The main advantage of air curtains is providing comfort for employees and others in the building, which can be a financial advantage in different ways – for example, employee retention.

Tip: To get the maximum cost benefit from air curtains, plan to have them installed and ready to go before the cold weather hits.

Would you like to learn more about commercial air curtains, or are you ready to have your building’s needs assessed? Contact our experts! We’ll be happy to help you find the best option for your space.