See the difference: Thermal imaging compares high and low pressure air Curtains
Air curtains have become an increasingly popular solution for separating hot and cold temperature zones in commercial spaces. Which is no wonder as they contribute to a comfortable working environment, saving energy and money by preventing air exchange.
However, with two main types of air curtain systems on the market – high-pressure systems and volume systems (low pressure) – it can be difficult to know which one is best suited for your needs.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the differences between these two types and highlight how high-pressure systems are emerging as the more energy-efficient solution. We also show a thermal photograph to give a more visual and informative picture of the differences.
The main differences:
- Airflow: High-pressure systems create a narrow, focused, high-velocity jet of air, while volume systems blow out a wide, lower-velocity stream of air.
- Temperature separation: The high speed of the air jet in high-pressure systems makes them more effective at separating hot and cold temperature zones and preventing air exchange. Volume systems may be sufficient for small openings, but they tend to spread the air out and create a diffuse barrier.
- Energy consumption: High-pressure systems are generally more energy-efficient due to the focused air jet that directs the air more precisely. Volume systems with their wide air currents require more energy to achieve the same effect.
Advantages of high-pressure systems:
- Better temperature separation: Effectively prevents air exchange and saves energy and money.
- Lower energy consumption: More energy efficient than volume systems.
Disadvantages of high-pressure systems:
- Higher cost: Can be more expensive to buy than volume systems.
Advantages of volume systems:
- Lower cost: Often cheaper to buy than high-pressure systems.
- Short delivery time: Mass-produced and stocked by wholesalers.
Disadvantages of volume systems:
- Inferior temperature separation: Cannot effectively impede air exchange.
- Higher energy consumption: Requires more energy to achieve the same power as high-pressure systems.
- Shorter service intervals: The fans cannot handle pressure differences that occur when dust begins to settle on filters, so frequent filter changes/cleanings are required.
Thermal photography:
The left image shows a volume system. The wide air flow creates a diffuse barrier between the temperature zones. Light green areas show the accompanying air spreading more widely.
The right image shows a high-pressure system. The dark green streak illustrates the focused air jet that penetrates the surrounding air, creating a clear barrier between the temperature zones. Light green areas show the accompanying air that complements the focused air jet.
As you can see, the air curtain with a high volume moves a large amount of air, the air swells out of the nozzle and forms an “airbag”. As can be seen from the thermal image, the airstream do not hold together, which is necessary to achieve a separation of the temperature zones.
In the high-pressure system, the air is forced out of the special nozzle as a jet and remains visible as a jet in the thermal image. Here we also see a clear zero point.
Conclusion:
For most users, high-pressure systems are the best choice for air curtains. They offer better temperature separation and lower energy consumption. However, volume systems may be a suitable option for those who have a limited budget or have a smaller doorway or do not prioritize energy efficiency and do not have requirements for temperature control.
Contact Masterveil for a free consultation on air curtains!
