How to choose a thermal air curtain for a door

Here you will learn:

• Design and operating principle
• Case orientation
• Case length
• Heating element type
• By type of control
• Other functions and features
• By area of ​​application
• How to choose a suitable thermal curtain

In the world of heating equipment, there are a variety of devices - convectors, fan heaters, IR batteries and much more. They provide efficient heating of rooms and prevent the penetration of cold air from outside. Such devices also include thermal curtains, which are characterized by high performance. They will become a real barrier to the street cold.

A thermal curtain is placed on the front door, where it will act as a kind of air wall. Let's see how this technique works and how to choose the right model.

Design and operating principle

An air-thermal curtain is a simple heating device, similar in design to a fan heater. Their main purpose is to create an invisible airborne thermal barrier for cold air penetrating into the premises through the entrance openings. To do this, they are equipped with powerful heating elements or water heating elements that provide heating of air masses.

Air pressure is created in thermal curtains for entrance doors using small-sized tangential fans equipped with many blades. Their task is to direct the flow down, creating a kind of barrier to the cold. The pressure is selected in such a way as to ensure a flow velocity near the floors of at least 2.5 m/sec. Only in this case can you count on maximum efficiency.

The thermal air curtain above the front door drives heated air down, gradually warming up the space in the room and helping the main heating. When the door is opened, cold air partially enters the room and mixes with the heated masses. There is nothing stopping you from leaving the door open - if the performance is adjusted in accordance with the recommendations, the cold will have virtually no chance of entering the building.

The exception is powerful gusts of wind, which relatively easily blow away jets of heated air escaping from the thermal curtain.

Thermal curtains protect not only from the cold, but also from the burning summer heat, which is especially important in the southern regions. Here, fierce heat can penetrate through the entrance doors, from which not only air conditioners, but also invisible air barriers become a salvation. For this purpose, some air curtains are equipped with a fan mode function.

The thermal curtain for the front door consists of the following components and parts:

In addition to its main function - cutting off cold air - a thermal curtain is capable of a lot more.

• The heating element – ​​water or electric – provides heat generation;
• Fan – drives warm air into the work area;
• Control system – controls the temperature and controls the device on/off;
• Housing – protects the insides of the equipment from access by unauthorized persons.

Control modules are often located outside the housings - in the form of separate thermostats with controls. You can also buy models with remote controls in stores. Let's see how thermal curtains for openings differ from each other.

The best thermal curtains with power up to 5 kW

You can create a reliable barrier to cold air through single-leaf entrance doors using compact and economical thermal curtains with a power of up to 5 kW. Their scope of application is private homes, offices, small hairdressing salons, etc. The following models are offered to the attention of potential buyers.

Ballu BHC-L08-S05

Rating: 4.9

Domestic consumers are showing consistently high interest in the Ballu BHC-L08-S05 thermal curtain. The number of views of the product card on YAM in two months exceeded 16,000. Experts explain this phenomenon by the affordable price, good air exchange (450 cubic m/h), and low noise level (47 dB). The model is rightfully considered the best protection against cold for single-leaf doors (800-900 mm). The width of the device is 805 mm, which is quite enough for the entrance doors of apartments and private houses. Thanks to its streamlined body, the thermal curtain will fit into the interior of a residential or office space.

For its high-quality assembly, functionality, and fast heating, the device becomes the winner of our rating. User reviews praise the model for its stylish design and economical energy consumption.

Advantages

• reasonable price;
• high-quality assembly;
• quiet operation;
• fast heating.

Flaws

• not detected.

Timberk THC WS8 5M

Rating: 4.8

The Timberk THC WS8 5M thermal curtain has the maximum air exchange (500 cubic m/h). It has a width of 814 mm, which is more than enough for any single-leaf door. Experts note the versatility of installation; if necessary, the device can be hung vertically. To prevent unnecessary load on the electrical network, the device has an overheat shutdown function. For safety and ease of use (there is a remote control), the model takes an honorable second place in our rating. The unit is somewhat inferior to the winner in noise level (52 dB) and price.

Russian consumers appreciated the stylish appearance, powerful protection against the cold, and several power modes. Disadvantages include high power consumption and noisy operation.

Advantages

• elegant appearance;
• high performance;
• installation versatility;
• ease of use.

Flaws

• noisy work;
• high power consumption.

Ballu BHC-CE-3T

Rating: 4.7

The Ballu BHC-CE-3T thermal curtain is slightly inferior in popularity to the winner of the rating. Despite its low power (3 kW), it attracts potential buyers with an affordable price. The model has a ventilation function without heating, which makes the device multifunctional. The maximum air exchange reaches 400 cubic meters. m/h, it is possible to adjust the temperature. The width of the device is 770 mm, while the weight of the model is the smallest (6 kg). The asset of the device is its low noise level (46 dB) and stylish design.

In reviews, the owners of the thermal curtain speak flatteringly about the cost-effectiveness, high-quality assembly, and ease of installation. The disadvantage is insufficient performance.

Advantages

• low noise level;
• affordable price;
• high-quality assembly;
• multifunctionality.

Flaws

• modest performance;
• there are no fastening elements.

Case length

Consumers have a choice of thermal curtains for entrance doors in a variety of formats. The standard length is 800 mm - this is the width of the most ordinary average door. Also on sale are longer samples, up to 2000 mm. If you choose the most optimal thermal curtain, you must ensure that its width is greater than the width of the front door.

It is problematic to make a very long thermal curtain, as this leads to a significant increase in the cost of equipment - due to the increasingly complex design. Therefore, the maximum dimensions are limited to two meters. If it is necessary to cover a wider opening, powerful vertical curtains or cascades of several horizontal models are used.

Heating element type

To install a thermal curtain in your home, you do not need any special skills or special equipment. You can easily handle this on your own.

If you need to install a heater above the front door, please note that these devices are divided into two large categories - electric or water heated. Electric thermal curtains for entrance doors are in greatest demand, as they are easy to install - just fix them in the right place and supply electricity to them.

Water thermal curtains resemble in their design in-floor convectors with forced ventilation, which can also be installed at entrance doors. They get their power from heating systems, which makes them superior to any electric models. Whatever you say, heating with electricity costs a pretty penny, while water heating is more economical.

The disadvantage of water heat curtains is the complexity of their connection - they need to be connected to a separate line with the ability to control the temperature.

How to install a thermal curtain

Installation of electrical-type thermal equipment does not involve complex technology, since all the necessary elements and holes are provided in the housing. Water systems require connection to a hot water supply and are therefore not in demand, and their installation is carried out by professional craftsmen.

Water heat curtain models require connection to a water supply system and precise placement of pipes

For installation you will need anchor bolts, brackets, a drill, a building level and a tape measure. You must first provide a power supply line for the equipment, the presence of safety and protective elements, that is, an RCD and an automatic circuit breaker. After this, mark the location of the device with a pencil.

The main stages of the work are expressed as follows:

1. Mark the points on the wall where holes should be made to install the brackets.
2. Brackets are placed in the holes using anchor bolts.
3. The device is suspended on fixed parts.

   It is better to entrust the installation of a thermal curtain to specialists

4. The equipment is connected to protective elements and the power supply network.
5. If the thermal curtain has adjustable blinds, then they should be tilted vertically 30° towards the entrance.
6. The device is checked by setting the required power and adjusting the settings.

Video: overview of the thermal curtain design

By type of control

The easiest way to control air curtains is with simple switches. Stepwise power adjustment significantly simplifies the design of the equipment, reducing its cost. But electronic control is more convenient, as it allows you to support additional capabilities - connection to climate control devices and external electronic thermostats, more accurate temperature control. Some models are equipped with simple infrared control panels (like those for a TV).

Other functions and features

When choosing a thermal curtain for your front door or window opening, you should pay attention to the following functions and options:

Advanced and, as a result, more expensive models are equipped with a separate control panel that allows you to remotely interact with the device.

• Air flow adjustment – ​​allows you to adjust the air pressure;
• Dust protection – some models are equipped with built-in filters;
• Working as a fan is important in the summer;
• Air humidification is one of the extremely rare options;
• The possibility of installation behind suspended ceilings is an excellent option for hidden installation.

Remember that every additional option or feature is a price premium.

The best thermal curtains with power up to 10 kW

For double-leaf doors of private houses, cafes or restaurants, thermal curtains with a width of about 1500 mm are optimal. Such devices provide the necessary performance, they are convenient to operate and easy to install. Experts paid attention to several models.

Ballu BHC-L15-S09-M (BRC-E remote control)

Rating: 4.9

The Ballu BHC-L15-S09-M thermal curtain will help to put a reliable barrier against the cold at the entrance door of a restaurant or industrial premises. The device has enough technical capabilities to work effectively in a wide doorway. This includes power (9 kW), width (1570 mm), and maximum air exchange (1050 cubic m/h). The device has a stylish, streamlined body that will not spoil the beauty of the interior. The blowing power can be adjusted depending on the degree of cold outside. The model can be used as a fan. Experts gave the thermal curtain first place in our rating.

Owners of cafes and restaurants are satisfied with the ease of operation, lightness of the device (12.6 kg), low noise level, and the presence of a remote control included.

Advantages

• covers a wide doorway;
• high performance;
• ease of control;
• stylish design.

Flaws

• not detected.

Timberk THC WT1 9M

Rating: 4.8

The thermal curtain Timberk THC WT1 9M has the highest productivity (1650 cubic m/h). Swedish developers managed to achieve maximum air exchange through a combination of power (9 kW) and width (1440 mm). Experts included the model in our rating for a number of technological improvements. This is a ribbed stainless steel heating element, aerodynamic control, and a honeycomb-shaped air intake panel. To increase the service life of the engine, the device is equipped with multi-level overheating protection. The housing is protected from corrosion by a finely dispersed coating.

User reviews praise the thermal curtain for its efficiency, powerful flow, and reliability. In summer, the device is used as a fan, preventing insects from entering the room.

Advantages

• high performance;
• Hi-tech;
• multi-level protection against overheating;
• wide functionality.

Flaws

• high price.

Ballu BHC-B10T06-PS

Rating: 4.7

The optimal combination of price and quality was noted by experts in the Ballu BHC-B10T06-PS thermal curtain. It is these factors that attract the attention of domestic buyers to the device. The model does not have high power (6 kW) and productivity (1100 cubic m/h), and its width is 1125 mm. The thermal curtain is in the top three of our ratings for its electronic thermostat, which allows you to set the temperature with an accuracy of 0.5°C. The advantages of the device include light weight (12.8 kg), anti-corrosion treatment of the case and the presence of a remote control.

In reviews, users praise the Ballu BHC-B10T06-PS for its low noise level, economical power consumption, and affordable price. The disadvantages include only one fan rotation speed.

Advantages

• simple installation;
• convenient remote control;
• powerful airflow;
• affordable price.

Flaws

• no power-on indication;
• one rotation speed.

Timberk THC WT1 6M

Rating: 4.6

You can read a lot of positive reviews from Russian users about the Timberk THC WT1 6M thermal curtain. The experts took into account the opinions of the owners by including the model in our rating. Among the main advantages are low price and high productivity (1500 cubic m/h). This device failed to beat the leaders due to its small width (1070 mm). For easy adjustment of the air curtain there is a control panel. Thanks to the durable housing, the heating element works for a long time without breakdowns.

The owners of the device are satisfied with the fast heating, the ability to adjust power, and the presence of a wired remote control. The noise level, build quality and efficiency of blowing the doorway are not satisfactory. Only the width of the entrance door should not exceed 1 m.

Advantages

• high performance;
• low price;
• ease of use;
• high-quality assembly.

Flaws

• small width;
• heavy weight (16 kg).

By area of ​​application

Thermal curtains over the door in a private house are truly rare. The thing is that they are noticeably noisy and have high power. For home use, we recommend choosing a silent thermal curtain that operates on an infrared operating principle - this option will be the most optimal, relieving household members of annoying noise. If you want an air curtain, choose the lowest-power options.

All other thermal curtains are designed for entrance doors of industrial premises and workshops, restaurants and cafes, shopping centers and hypermarkets, exhibition pavilions and cinemas, train stations and airports. They are distinguished by increased power, which reaches 10-12 kW and even more.