A thermal air curtain is a device for thermal protection of heated and air-conditioned rooms. If a thermal curtain is installed at the entrance to the room, you do not have to worry about the safety of the temperature regime: even with frequent door openings, the temperature inside the room will remain the same.
This device has the following principle of operation: a high-power fan is installed inside the curtain, through which a continuous flat flow of hot air is driven, providing a kind of «imperceptible wall», which does not allow cold air to penetrate inside the room, and hot air to come out. Air curtains are also successfully applied in hot weather: you just need to turn off the heating parameter, and during the air conditioning of the room, the cold air will not leave the room.
These devices are most appropriate in rooms with a large turnover of the human mass, such as:
- shops and office centers;
- Metro;
- walk-through rooms;
- warehouses and industrial workshops.
The most popular curtain manufacturers rely on:
- Ballu;
- Frico;
- Tropic;
- Teplomash.
You can buy a thermal curtain on the website clim-art.ru. The choice of the model is due to the characteristics of the room in which the installation will be carried out. Therefore, before buying a thermal curtain, it is worth making measurements of the installation site:
- the width of the entrance doors or windows, if the device will be installed horizontally (the length of the device must correspond to or be slightly larger than the width of the opening, if the width exceeds 2 meters, i.e. the maximum length of the thermal curtain, it will be appropriate to install several devices);
- the length of the doors or windows, if the device will be installed vertically (usually the curtain is installed vertically in the case when stretch ceilings are installed in the room, or there are gaps between the top of the doorway and the ceiling. The length of the device with this type of installation should not be less than 3/4 from the length of the doorway);
- the volume of the room (the larger it is, the more powerful the device should be. The calculation is carried out by a specialist, however, in residential premises you can calculate the required power level yourself, according to the formula 1 kW of power for every 10 m2, with a room height of no more than 3 meters and without accompanying heating);
- the nature of the premises: a residential house / apartment, or a public place like a store (in public places there is a large flow of people, and the doors will often open / close, so high power is needed for adequate functioning. For a residential building, it is better to choose a less powerful device with a thermostat , which will turn off the system when the required temperature is established in the room).
Depending on the type of energy source, thermal curtains are:
- Electric: in such devices, air passes through an electric heater, they have many advantages, including versatility for any type of room, and compactness, and ease of installation. The main disadvantage of this type of curtain is high energy consumption;
- Water heaters: in such devices, the heating function is performed by water heaters. This is the most economical option in terms of energy saving, it is extremely long-term, but also the most expensive in terms of the price for equipment and installation (it must be connected to the central heating system). Often this type is used in industrial facilities;
- Gas: such devices are a novelty, created as an alternative to the first two types of curtains, if it is impossible to install them. Among the advantages of such a device: energy savings, density and uniformity of the air flow. The main disadvantage is explosion hazard, in case of incorrect installation or use.
Heating element type
When buying, it is also worth paying attention to the type of heating element in the selected device. There are the following types:
- Spiral: This option is unpopular and short-lived, however, it is cheap;
- Heating element: this type is safe and durable, heats a large area, is in the middle price category;
- Stitch elements: an innovation on the market with which already 2 thirds of new air curtains are equipped. This type of element allows you to instantly heat up and give out air, but in terms of price it exceeds the 2 previous options.
So, before you go shopping for a thermal curtain, you should carefully study all its varieties and possible characteristics. If you cannot independently make the correct calculation of the required power of the device for the operated room, contact a specialist. Remember also that curtains are only an additional source of heat, so you should not expect the same effect from them as from heaters. If you need a universal option that creates a protective air wall, heats the room, and even independently adjusts to avoid overheating: get ready for a high price.
