Commercial Air Curtain 36 Inch 1200 CFM UL Certified Door System

Description

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If you’ve ever walked into a commercial space in winter and felt a blast of cold air every time the door opens, you know exactly why air curtains matter. That constant rush of outside air doesn’t just make employees and customers uncomfortable—it forces your HVAC system to work overtime, driving up energy costs and creating temperature zones that feel like walking between different climates. We installed the Awoco 36″ air curtain 1200 CFM UL certified magnetic door switch system at a busy retail entrance to see if it could solve this exact problem.

After three months of daily use in a high-traffic commercial setting, we’re ready to share what this unit actually delivers. The promise is simple: create an invisible barrier that keeps conditioned air in while blocking outside temperatures, dust, and insects. The reality? It’s more nuanced than marketing materials suggest, but the performance impressed us in ways we didn’t expect.

Here’s what matters most: This air curtain moved enough air to create a noticeable barrier even with constant door traffic, the magnetic door switch worked flawlessly to activate the unit automatically, and the UL certification meant we could install it with confidence in commercial applications where code compliance matters. But before you buy, there are some important considerations about noise levels and installation requirements that could affect your decision.

Why The Awoco 36″ Air Curtain 1200 CFM System Stands Out

The first thing that separated this unit from cheaper alternatives was the magnetic door switch integration. We’ve tested air curtains that required manual operation or clunky remote sensors, but the Awoco system activated the moment the door cracked open and shut off within seconds of closing. No wasted runtime, no forgotten switches left running overnight. This single feature probably saves more energy than any efficiency rating on the spec sheet.

The 1200 CFM airflow rating isn’t just a number—it’s the difference between creating an actual air barrier and just blowing some air around. We measured temperature differential with our thermal camera, and the curtain maintained a consistent invisible wall that reduced cold air infiltration by approximately 65-70% compared to door operation without the curtain. That’s not eliminating the problem entirely, but it’s transforming an energy hemorrhage into a manageable issue.

UL certification might sound like boring paperwork, but it meant our installation passed commercial building inspection without question. We’ve had projects delayed weeks because equipment lacked proper certification. The Awoco unit came with clear documentation that satisfied both our insurance requirements and local code enforcement on the first review.

The two-speed operation gave us flexibility we didn’t expect to use but ended up appreciating. During moderate weather, the lower speed provided adequate protection with noticeably less noise. When temperatures dropped below freezing, the high-speed setting created a more aggressive barrier that handled the increased temperature differential. Most competing units in this price range offer single-speed operation only.

Key Features & Specifications

• Airflow Capacity: 1200 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) – This volume is appropriate for standard 36″ commercial door openings with moderate to heavy traffic. For reference, you need roughly 400-500 CFM per foot of door width for effective coverage.
• Coverage Width: 36 inches – Designed for standard commercial doors; the air stream extends approximately 7-8 feet downward when properly installed at recommended mounting height.
• Power Requirements: 120V standard outlet, single phase – No special electrical work required for most commercial spaces; draws approximately 2.2 amps on high speed.
• Motor Type: Dual-speed commercial grade motor with thermal overload protection – Prevents burnout during extended operation in high-traffic applications.
• Magnetic Door Switch: Included limit switch activates unit automatically when door opens, deactivates when closed – Eliminates manual operation and wasted energy.
• UL Certification: UL 507 certified for commercial air circulating fans – Meets safety and performance standards required for commercial installations and insurance compliance.
• Construction: Heavy-duty steel housing with powder coat finish – Built for commercial durability rather than residential aesthetics.
• Mounting Height: Recommended 8-10 feet above floor level – Critical for proper air curtain performance and coverage.
• Unit Dimensions: 37.4″ L x 9″ H x 7.75″ D – Compact enough to mount above standard door frames without extensive structural modifications.

Hands-On Performance Testing

We installed this unit above a 36″ entrance door at a small retail shop in the Midwest during late October, giving us exposure to temperatures ranging from 45°F down to 15°F over the testing period. Installation took approximately 90 minutes with two people—the unit itself is manageable at around 35 pounds, but getting mounting brackets level and secure required careful measurement. The included template helped, though we still verified everything with a laser level before drilling.

The magnetic door switch installation was straightforward but required running wire from the switch mounted on the door frame to the unit mounted overhead. We used wire channel to keep things clean and code-compliant. The switch itself is a simple contact switch—when the door opens and breaks the magnetic connection, the unit powers on. Response time was nearly instantaneous, with the fan reaching full speed within 2-3 seconds.

During the first cold snap (outdoor temperature 28°F, indoor heated to 68°F), we measured performance with and without the air curtain active. Without it, our thermal camera showed cold air penetrating 8-10 feet into the space with each door opening, and the HVAC system ran almost continuously. With the Awoco 36″ air curtain operating, cold air penetration reduced to approximately 3-4 feet, and the heated space recovered to temperature much faster after each entry.

The noise level surprised us—not because it was terrible, but because it varied significantly between speeds. Low speed produced around 58-62 dB at floor level (about the volume of normal conversation), which was perfectly acceptable for retail use. High speed jumped to 68-72 dB (similar to a vacuum cleaner), which was noticeable enough that staff commented on it. In a restaurant or quiet office, this might be problematic during business hours. In retail, warehouse, or industrial settings, it blended into background noise.

We tested the automatic operation over two weeks of heavy use—approximately 150-200 door cycles per day. The magnetic switch never failed to activate, and we didn’t experience any issues with the unit failing to shut off. The thermal overload protection activated once when we deliberately blocked airflow to test it, shutting the motor down and preventing damage. It reset automatically after cooling for about 15 minutes.

Energy consumption was modest—running continuously on high speed for 10 hours drew approximately 2.2 kWh, costing roughly $0.26 at our local rates. But because the magnetic switch only runs it when the door opens, actual daily consumption in our test environment was closer to 1.5-2 hours of runtime, or about $0.04-0.05 per day. The HVAC savings from reduced heating load far exceeded the operating cost.

What We Liked (Pros)

Magnetic door switch automation actually works reliably: After thousands of door cycles, the automatic operation remained consistent. This isn’t just convenient—it’s the difference between an air curtain that saves energy and one that wastes it by running unnecessarily or not running when needed.

1200 CFM delivers legitimate air barrier performance: We’ve tested underpowered units that barely moved air. The Awoco system created a measurable, visible (when using theatrical fog), and thermally effective barrier. The air stream remained coherent down to floor level rather than dispersing uselessly.

UL certification simplified commercial installation approval: Building inspectors, insurance adjusters, and facility managers all accepted this unit without pushback. That administrative headache-avoidance is worth real money in commercial projects.

Two-speed operation provided practical flexibility: We initially thought this was a gimmick, but the ability to reduce noise and power consumption during mild weather while maintaining protection proved valuable. The controls are simple—just a switch, no complicated programming.