Frequently Asked

An air curtain is a device mounted above an open doorway that blows a controlled, high-velocity stream of air downward. It acts as an invisible barrier, separating indoor and outdoor environments to protect occupant comfort and keep out flying insects, dust, and fumes. Berner air curtains adhere to the ASHRAE 90.1 Vestibule Exception, providing energy savings while allowing unobstructed foot traffic and clear visibility. Learn more about air curtains on our Air Curtains 101 page.

Once it is powered on, air is brought into the unit through the intake. The air then enters the fan housing and is accelerated by the fan. This fast-moving air goes into a plenum, which allows for an even distribution of air along the full length of the discharge nozzle. Airfoil-shaped vanes in the nozzle create a uniform air stream with minimal turbulence. The air discharged through the nozzle creates a jet stream to the floor. When mounted properly, approximately 80% of the air returns to the intake side of the air curtain, and 20% goes in the opposite direction. Visit our Air Curtains 101 page to learn more about Berner air curtains.

The air curtain must span 100% of the opening width, so the first step is an accurate measurement of your door or opening. Beyond width, the right model depends on door height, the temperature differential between indoor and outdoor environments, traffic volume, and application type (entrance, dock door, freezer, or service counter). Use Berner’s Air Curtain Selector Tool for guided sizing or contact a Berner specialist for high-demand or unusual openings.

Cold storage applications require air curtains engineered for significant temperature differentials. Key factors include the height and width of the opening, how frequently doors open, and whether you need a heated or unheated unit. Berner’s Industrial Series is purpose-built for these environments, reducing compressor run times by limiting cold air loss every time a door opens. Use the Air Curtain Selector Tool or speak with a Berner specialist for a facility-specific recommendation.

With proper installation and routine maintenance, a commercial air curtain can last 15 to 20 years or more. Berner air curtains are manufactured in the USA using locally sourced metals and are engineered for long-term reliability in demanding commercial and industrial environments. Replacement parts are available for current and legacy models through our Specs & Docs page.

Air curtains require minimal maintenance compared to most HVAC equipment. Routine tasks include periodic cleaning of the intake filter to maintain airflow, inspection of the discharge nozzle for obstructions, and checking mounting hardware for a secure fit. Berner provides installation and maintenance documentation for all models on our Specs & Docs page. For service support, contact a Berner representative.

Yes. Berner manufactures heated air curtain models for applications where the temperature differential between indoor and outdoor environments is significant, such as entrances in cold climates and cold storage facilities. Heated models supplement the air barrier with warm airflow to help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Use our Air Curtain Selector Tool to identify the right heated or unheated model for your opening.

Yes. Berner AIR is a smart control platform and app that allows you to monitor, adjust, and schedule air curtains remotely from your phone or tablet. It integrates with building management systems (BMS) using BACnet and Modbus protocols. The Intelliswitch digital controller offers a touchscreen interface that can be mounted on the unit, remote-mounted on the wall, or accessed through the Berner AIR app. Visit our Advanced Controls page to learn more about Berner’s BMS compatibility.

Air curtain pricing varies based on unit size, model series, heated versus unheated configuration, and control options. Entry-level commercial units are available for smaller retail or service counter openings, while high-performance industrial units for large warehouse doors are priced for heavy-duty specifications. Contact a Berner representative or request a quote for project-specific pricing.

The right model depends on your opening type, door height, traffic level, and application. Berner’s product line includes the Architectural Series for aesthetic entrances, the Commercial Series for retail and service environments, the Industrial Series for warehouses and dock doors up to 50 feet, and Drive-Thru and Pass-Thru models for service windows. Use our Air Curtain Selector Tool to compare models based on your specific requirements or contact a specialist for a recommendation.

Air curtains supply a steady stream of air that creates environmental separation between indoor and outdoor environments. By regulating indoor temperatures, it reduces the HVAC load of buildings, requiring less electricity to be generated. In industrial or commercial settings, air curtains reduce the loss of cold air when refrigerator or freezer doors are opened, cutting down on compressor run times. Contact a Berner representative to get an estimate for your cost savings.

Berner manufactures a variety of models that serve different functions. Our Architectural Series is designed for aesthetic integration at main entrances. Our Commercial Series is made of versatile, high-performance units for retail and service entries. Our Industrial Series has heavy-duty air curtains for manufacturing, distribution centers, and warehouses up to 50 feet high. Our Drive-Thru and Pass-Thru models are compact, low-profile air curtains built for service windows. We also have a variety of specialty models designed to fit your individual needs. Find the right solution for your opening with our Air Curtain Selector Tool.

Berner has a wide variety of air curtains designed for different industries and applications, ranging from retail and industrial to pass-thru openings and walk-in coolers. Use our Air Curtain Selector Tool to find the right solution for your industry and opening.

Berner serves a wide variety of industries, including food service, warehousing and manufacturing, food processing, healthcare, retail, and hospitality. Use our Air Curtain Selector Tool to find the right solution for your industry.

Energy savings vary per unit, application, and mounting height. A Berner air curtain can reduce up to 80% of energy loss at openings. Contact a Berner representative to find out how much a Berner air curtain can help you save at your opening.

Berner has a wide range of certifications that meet current building codes, including:

• AMCA Certified Performance
• NSF Sanitation Listed
• UL/cUL Certifications

Visit our Certifications & Building Codes page to learn more about our product certifications and building code compliance.

Berner is compliant with a wide range of building codes for energy savings, including:

• ASHRAE 90.1-2022 § 5.4.3.4
• IECC C402.5.7
• FDA / USDA
• LEED v4.1

Visit our Certifications & Building Codes page to learn more about how Berner air curtains comply with building codes and standards.

Berner air curtains are made in the USA and manufactured in New Castle, Pennsylvania. We manufacture our air curtains with sustainability in mind, locally sourcing our metals from Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and Ohio to reduce our fuel consumption and transportation costs. Visit our About page to learn more about Berner Air Curtains and how we are meeting our sustainability goals.

Yes. Our commercial air curtains are cost-effective and functional, designed for high-traffic spaces including retail, restaurant, and service counters. Visit our Commercial Collection page to view our full list of commercial models and use our Air Curtain Selector Tool to find the right solution for your opening.

USDA research confirms that Berner air curtains block flying insects from entering a building. By creating high-velocity barriers, they prevent the entry of flying insects, dust, fumes, odors, and airborne contaminants without blocking traffic. Visit our Air Curtains 101 page to learn more about how Berner air curtains protect occupant comfort.

Our Industrial Collection is designed for warehouse dock doors, shipping and receiving areas, manufacturing plants, cold storage facilities, and transportation bays. These models deliver high-performance airflow and dependable operation for large industrial openings and high-demand environments where durability, performance, and environmental separation are critical. Visit our Industrial Collection page to view our full list of Industrial models and use our Air Curtain Selector Tool to find the right solution for your opening.

Yes. Berner air curtains meet ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 and IECC building code, which allows AMCA certified air curtains as an alternative to vestibules. Visit our Certifications & Building Codes page to view our full list of product certifications and see how we meet building codes and standards.

Berner’s digital controls combine on-unit control with connected, remote management to optimize performance, energy use, and indoor air quality. Berner AIR™ is a smart control platform and app that lets you monitor, adjust, and schedule air curtains remotely, so you can integrate them with building management systems (BMS) like BACnet or Modbus. Our Intelliswitch™ digital controller is a user-friendly touchscreen interface that puts control at your fingertips. It can be mounted directly on the unit, remote mounted on the wall, or accessed via the Berner AIR app on your phone or tablet. Visit our Advanced Controls page to learn more about our BMS connectivity

Yes. Not every opening fits a standard application. From oversized industrial doors and unique architectural entrances to specialized manufacturing environments and custom building designs, Berner engineers solutions that address unique entrances and environmental challenges. These solutions extend performance, efficiency, and comfort across specialized applications. Visit our Specialty & Other Products page to learn more about our air curtains for specialty openings or contact a Berner representative to find a solution for your project’s specific performance requirements.

A complete air curtain specification must address a variety of criteria, including application type, door dimensions, controls, and more. Berner provides CSI-formatted specification sections for each product family, ready for direct inclusion in project specifications. Visit our Specify a Project page for more resources or access our Specs and Docs page to view air curtain specifications, documents, and installation instructions.

Proper installation is crucial for your air curtain to be effective. Berner has many mounting options including exposed, recessed, double doors, inside, outside, vertical, and horizontal. Clearance requirements vary by model and application. Visit our Specs & Docs page to find the installation instructions that fit your model.

Berner maintains support resources for many legacy, renamed, and discontinued air curtain models to help simplify service, replacement, and product identification. Visit our Legacy, Renamed & Discontinued Products page to cross-reference older product names, locate replacement parts and manuals, or identify the current equivalent model for an existing installation.

Visit our Contact & Support page to connect with a member of our team for warranty assistance.