THE SITUATION
Case Study
September, 26 2024
- May 15, 2021
- by Powered Aire
How do you know if the air curtain you are supplying is right for your customer’s application? Below, we are taking a look how to apply air curtains based on two of the most common reasons to use them: climate control and insect control.
BUG OUT: AIR CURTAINS FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS
Unlike climate control applications that traditionally require low velocity streams of air, air curtains used primarily for insect control require significantly higher air velocity with high air flow uniformity. It takes considerable velocity across an entire opening, especially near the floor, to influence and change the flight path of flying insects (especially the big ones). Insect control applications usually prioritize insect control over energy savings. Common insect control applications include restaurant back doors or loading docks in the food and beverage industry. Preventing insects from entering these sensitive areas is critical for the health and safety of both personnel and consumers.
CHILL OUT: AIR CURTAINS FOR CONTROLLING CLIMATE
Air curtains are often used to for climate (environmental) separation. When applied properly, air curtains can be extremely effective in separating two environments. Climate control is usually broken down into two specific applications: exterior separation to protect against elements like temperature, dirt, and dust: and interior separation to control two interior environments. For climate control, we recommend mounting the air curtain on the inside or “conditioned” side. This allows the air curtain to take in and discharging conditioned inside air, which circulates back inside the building. What if I Need Both? Many applications are going to require both temperature and insect control. While it may be difficult to prioritize one over the other, there are options available. One consideration is to choose an air curtain, like Powered Aire’s ECE or ETD models, that offer speed control. The air curtains can run on high speed during periods where insects and high winds are more prevalent. The air curtain can run on low speed when temperature control is the major issue.
