Air Curtains
In the pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability, companies are constantly looking for solutions to reduce energy use. An air curtain creates an air barrier between cold and hot, protecting heated or air-conditioned areas in buildings and cool rooms.
Kristin Törnqvist, acting Product Manager at Frico, says independent tests show that a properly installed air curtain can reduce energy losses at an open door by up to 80 percent thanks to its ability to minimise air exchange between zones with different temperatures, thereby reducing the load on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Wind, pressure differences and unbalanced ventilation are challenges that an air curtain has to be able to handle if major energy savings are to be achieved, emphasises Jonas Pehrsson, Technical Manager at Frico. The Thermozone technology in Frico air curtains optimises performance, minimises noise and saves energy. It also contributes to a more comfortable indoor climate where noise and turbulence are reduced.
When protecting a cool or freezer room, the primary function of an air curtain is stop heat from entering the room. Frico air curtains are today in place at one of the world’s largest retail chains in Thailand, with more than 2,000 stores that needed to protect their air-conditioned premises and cool rooms.
The result in energy savings made possible with our PAEC air curtain exceeded expectations in many cases, with up to 90 percent less energy use per month than with competitors
Acting Product Manager, Frico
“You get a big energy saving in kWh, but it gets even more interesting when you add other benefits such as a lesser need for de-icing, a lower risk of damage with a reduction in icing and less of a need for maintenance and servicing. The more even temperature curve also extends the shelf life of food and medicines, which contributes to the overall savings made”, says Jonas Pehrsson.
“Our energy-efficient motors and FC smart control system also play a part in determining the efficiency of an air curtain and the amount of energy that can be saved. In addition, the lower energy use also contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which is increasingly important to businesses worldwide”, Kristin concludes.