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Frequently asked questions

Find clear answers to common questions about AirDoor, from what it is and how it works to how it performs in real buildings.

AirDoor is a commercial entrance technology that uses smart sensors, a smart control strategy and variable speed fans to create an active, invisible air barrier which limits rain, wind and dust getting in and keeps conditioned, indoor air inside.

No. While both create an air barrier, AirDoor is engineered to deliver higher performance in real environments. While air curtains use a continuous flow of heated air (usually from above), AirDoor uses sensors and a smart control strategy to control variable speed fans which ramp up and down as weather conditions alter, creating an air barrier which keeps indoor air in, and the elements out. It provides stronger, more consistent separation at entrances, reducing heat loss, draughts and air infiltration more effectively than conventional air curtains.

AirDoor is suitable for a wide range of buildings, including retail, supermarkets, industrial facilities and commercial entrances. It performs effectively in high-traffic environments with frequently open doors, delivering consistent protection, improved comfort and energy efficiency across different applications.  AirDoor can be installed during the fit-out phase of a newbuild or retrofitted into existing buildings.

AirDoor is installed across a wide range of retail, commercial and industrial
environments. To see AirDoor in operation, contact us to find the nearest
installation, visit us at Elemental London or Healthcare Estates, or arrange a
factory visit to experience the technology first-hand.

Yes, we’d love to speak to you. Our team is always available to discuss your
project, recommend the right AirDoor solution and answer any questions.
Simply complete the contact form or email us directly to set up
a time to speak with an AirDoor specialist.

AirDoor creates an invisible air barrier across open entrances to reduce heat
loss and weather infiltration. Sensors and a smart control strategy continuously monitor
external conditions and adjust fan speeds automatically, maintaining stable
indoor temperatures and protecting internal environments without restricting
access or visibility.

No. AirDoor does not use heating or cooling elements. It relies on a high-performance air barrier to retain the building’s conditioned air, maintaining consistent temperatures using the existing HVAC system rather than generating additional heat or cooling.

AirDoor creates an invisible, active air barrier that keeps indoor air in, and the elements out and can significantly reduce air infiltration into buildings.

Traditional over door heaters rely on a constant stream of heated air to offset cold draughts, often resulting in high energy use, noise and inconsistent performance. AirDoor works differently, using an active air barrier with sensors, a smart control strategy and variable-speed fans to block air infiltration before it enters the building. This delivers lower running costs, reduced energy consumption and quieter, more efficient operation.

Traditional air curtains and over door heaters often consume large amounts of energy while only reacting to heat loss after it happens. AirDoor addresses the problem at source by limiting air infiltration in the first place. This improves efficiency, reduces running costs, supports sustainability targets and delivers greater long-term operational savings.

The best AirDoor product depends on your building type, entrance size and business requirements.  AirDoor is the flagship entrance solution, which seamlessly integrates around doorways, AirDoor Lite is a pillar-based design, great for buildings with overhead or architectural space constraints and AirDoor Curve is designed for connecting adjoining spaces with different temperature requirements to keep hot and cold zones separate without the need for a door.

Yes. AirDoor can be seamlessly integrated into new build projects during the fit-out stage or retrofitted into existing buildings around current doorways. Many installations can utilise existing power supplies, and installation is fast, often in one shift, helping minimise disruption and reduce downtime in occupied buildings.

AirDoor Lite could be the best option for you if you have overhead or architectural space constraints, where a pillar-based design might provide a better solution for your entrance.

AirDoor Curve is perfect for environments where you need to separate adjacent rooms of different temperature profiles, such as high frequency walk-in refrigerated sections of a store or a heavily utilised chilled room in a manufacturing facility. AirDoor Curve replaces a physical door, creating a more inviting entrance whilst still ensuring cold air stays in and reducing humidity and condensation.

Yes. AirDoor is manufactured by VES Ltd, a British family business who have been in the HVAC industry for over 55 years and is proudly Made in Britain, UKCA and CE marked. Manufacturing operates to BSI ISO 9001 quality standards, and AirDoor can be supplied internationally with additional certifications available.

AirDoor is designed to work with a wide range of entrance types, from customer-facing front entrances to back-of-house access points. It is suitable for pedestrian doorways, sliding doors and large industrial openings. AirDoor performs effectively with permanently open or frequently used entrances, while bespoke designs may also allow solutions for more complex inward-opening door configurations.

AirDoor works with most entrance sizes across retail, commercial and industrial environments. Standard applications can exceed 4 metres wide and 4 metres high, while larger openings can often be accommodated using multiple air pillars or bespoke engineered solutions.

AirDoor typically operates from a single-phase 32 amp, 230V power supply. (This is the maximum supply capcity, rather than th typical running load, which in normal operation is considerably lower). Due to AirDoor’s bespoke nature, alternative voltages and frequencies can be accommodated.

Yes, AirDoor offers remote monitoring and works the way you need it to, whether as a simple fit-and-forget solution or fully integrated with your building management system for enhanced control and insight.

Yes. Every AirDoor system is bespoke manufactured to suit the specific requirements of the building and entrance. AirDoor can be tailored to exact sizes, configured to preferred operating settings and finished to match architectural designs, including custom colours and vinyl wrapping. Adjustable controls also allow settings such as minimum and maximum fan speeds, plus seasonal operating modes for summer and winter conditions if required.

AirDoor is installed inside the building, positioned directly by the doorway opening. It is a free-standing structure securely fixed to the floor by our in-house installation team. No planning permission is typically required, and AirDoor can either integrate seamlessly into existing entrances or become a striking architectural feature within the space.

AirDoor is designed for straightforward installation, with most systems installed quickly (often within one shift), depending on the size and complexity of the entrance. Out-of-hours installation minimises disruptions and means the AirDoor can be operational before your business opens the next day.

AirDoor requires very little ongoing maintenance. Unlike traditional overdoor heaters, there are no heating elements or filters requiring regular replacement. Routine inspection and servicing can usually be incorporated into a building’s standard planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programme.

AirDoor is supplied with a standard warranty of five years parts and two years labour across the UK and Ireland. For international projects, warranty coverage may vary, so customers should speak directly with the AirDoor team for region-specific support details.

AirDoor reduces heat loss, improves thermal comfort and limits air infiltration at open entrances. It creates stable indoor conditions, lowers energy consumption and enhances occupant experience, all while maintaining open and accessible doorways.

Yes. AirDoor is designed to perform consistently in environments with open door policies, frequent door openings and constant footfall.

Yes. AirDoor significantly reduces the ingress of cold external air, helping maintain stable internal conditions.

AirDoor maintains stable indoor temperatures at entrances by reducing cold draughts and sudden temperature fluctuations, creating a consistently comfortable environment for occupants.  It creates an active, invisible air barrier at the entrance that keeps indoor air and the elements out.

AirDoor reduces the ingress of dust, pollutants and external contaminants, helping maintain cleaner indoor air.  AirDoor uses aerodynamics to create an active, invisible plume of air that directly counteracts infiltration at both high and low levels simultaneously.

AirDoor typically uses 400 watts or less during operation, depending on application and settings. Compared to conventional overdoor heaters, AirDoor uses significantly less energy, delivering lower running costs and far greater long-term energy efficiency.

AirDoor creates an active, invisible air barrier at entrances, limiting heated or cooled air escaping through open doors, reducing the energy required to maintain internal temperatures.

AirDoor costs from £310 a year to run. AirDoor has low running costs because it only uses energy to power efficient fans, not heating elements. Its intelligent controls adjust performance based on conditions, minimising energy use and delivering significantly lower operating costs compared to traditional systems.

AirDoor lowers heating and cooling demand by reducing temperature loss through entrances, delivering ongoing energy and cost savings.

The payback period for AirDoor is generally under 3.5 years. Reduced energy consumption and improved efficiency typically result in a fast and measurable payback. To get your personalised savings calculation, please see our savings calculator

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