Stop energy loss at the door

Manufacturing, warehousing and distribution businesses across the world are looking for ways to cut costs to remain as competitive as possible. And with productivity more crucial than ever, large warehouse doors are being left open for longer and used more frequently. As well as the inevitable increase in energy bills, opening and closing external doors will also affect the internal temperatures and reduce the comfort levels for employees – especially those working close to the doorway. And with many warehouses storing perishable items, temperature sensitive stocks can also be compromised. 

Air curtains offer a solution and avoid the need to constantly open and close doors. Airbloc air curtains, for example, can cut energy loss by more than 80% and deliver a uniform flow of air to separate interior and exterior atmospheres, maintain the internal climate, offer significant cost savings and boost worker comfort.

Comparative temperature readings show a drop of between 4 and 10°C every time a warehouse door is opened. However, with an air curtain the difference is normally just 1°C.  Ambird believes that with an over door air curtain, energy lost through open doors which was previously seen as unavoidable, can be reduced by as much as 80%.

Air curtains are so effective in separating internal and external environments that doorways can remain open all day with little effect on the heating system’s energy consumption and with relatively little detriment to internal comfort conditions.

Cutting energy loss

Energy efficient air curtains such as those supplied by Airbloc, can be positioned directly over, or down, the side of a doorway. When doors are opened in heated buildings, colder external air flows in through the bottom part of the opening, while internal air flows out through the upper part. In air conditioned buildings, the opposite applies.  Over door air curtains deliver a uniform flow of air across the full door width that separates the interior and exterior atmospheres.

As well as their energy saving capacity, air curtains have ‘hidden’ benefits. Over door air curtains induce warm air down from high level that would otherwise be lost through the roof, thus helping to de-stratify the building and eliminate cold spots. Among the air curtains new developments is a fresh design that promotes a laminar airflow and includes deep profile aerofoil section air straightening veins. These improve the efficiency of climate separation between the indoor and outdoor environment. 

In addition, air curtains are not subject to the same wear and tear as roller-shutter doors, so mechanical failures and damage can become a thing of the past. Air curtains can help contain overhead costs while preserving comfort for employees and maintaining optimum conditions for stock.

Businesses looking to cut their energy bills don’t have to turn down the heating or turn off the air conditioning system. With a simple and effective installation of air curtains on warehouse doors, they can keep employees happy, save money and shut the door on unnecessary energy loss.