August 31st, 2022 by Sarah Miles

‘Air curtain’ sounds like an unusual name but it’s actually a very apt description for the function of these overdoor heaters. By channelling air downwards, from above the door opening, it creates an invisible barrier, literally a curtain of air, between the inside of the space and the outside. This prevents the exchange of warm and cold air between the two environments.

Air curtains are powered by a fan, and most are capable of emitting either warm or cold air, so they are very useful in both winter and summer. As well as directing air downwards, they force it into the space as well, providing a source of heating and cooling.

The advantages of air curtains

There are many benefits of an air curtain. Because of the barrier they create, they minimise the loss of heat (or cool) through the door. This is useful for doors that are constantly being opened and closed such as shops, cafes, salons and much more.  

They’re also easy to accommodate as most environments have some space above the door whereas finding wall space for heaters or radiators is more difficult. The high position also allows the cooled or warmed air to circulate well around the room.

That invisible ‘curtain’ of air does much more than just prevent the escape of internal air, it prevents outside contaminants from entering too. Traffic pollution, pollen, cigarette smoke, and even bugs can be largely kept at bay so that they don’t spoil the internal environment.

Finally, they are also energy efficient and minimise wasted energy so they’re economical to run and kinder to the environment.

Where air curtains are most suited to

Air curtains are ideal for businesses. Especially those that are open to the public, such as hospitality, retail, and beauty businesses. With an air curtain, you can keep the premises at a constantly comfortable temperature, even with plenty of traffic through the door. Likewise, air curtains can also be useful for use in homes too, especially in smaller rooms where there isn’t necessarily enough room for heaters such as toilets, garages or small annexes.

Models to consider

We offer a range of air curtains that will be suitable for different environments and different budgets. You can see the whole range here but we have provided a cross-section of examples below:

MYLEK Remote Control Electric Over Door Heater 2KW - ERP Compliant

This MYLEK over-door heater is not only a real bargain at just £55.00 but also a really stylish design, with a choice of 3 colours. It therefore wouldn’t look out of place in a trendy salon or boutique store. It could equally be used in a bathroom due to its compact size and IP22 rating.

Because it has a ceramic heating element, it reaches its desired temperature really quickly and cools slowly for high efficiency (it’s also Lot 20 compliant so very eco-friendly) and it has an accurate thermostat too so you can be very precise about the temperature you want. Use it on fan-only in the summer for cooling. A 24/7 timer and remote control make it easy and accurate to operate.

See the MYLEK Remote Control Electric Over Door Heater here.

Levante 3KW Commercial Over Door Air Curtain

Priced at £116.99, this model is a step up from the previous one and with its 3KW motor, it is more powerful. (Though you can opt to use a 1.5KW setting for energy efficiency). It can be mounted over the door or on a wall or ceiling.

See the Levante 3KW Commercial Over Door Air Curtain here.

Dimplex AC6N Commercial Air Curtain

This Dimplex air curtain packs a real punch with 6KW of power, capable of heating large commercial premises. It can be run on 3KW when the weather is milder to save energy and the fan will provide cooling in the summer. It is priced at £419.99.

See the Dimplex AC6N Commercial Air Curtain here