Thermoscreens and Mitsubishi launch low-energy heat pump air curtain

Thermoscreens has launched the HP DXE Heat Pump air curtain in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric.

The new range is the next generation of heat pump air curtains developed by the two companies, offering even greater energy and carbon savings, easier installation, servicing and maintenance and lower noise levels.

Graham Cree, UK sales manager at Thermoscreens, said: “Conventional air curtains lower energy usage as they reduce the amount of heating required, but adding a heat pump to the system can significantly increase the savings. We launched a heat pump air curtain four years ago in partnership with Mitsubishi Electric and both companies have been working hard to develop a product that can achieve even greater savings.”

The range offers eight models linking to Mitsubishi Electric’s Mr Slim line-up and six that work in conjunction with City Multi models. They offer several innovative improvements over the original PHV DXE range, including the addition of Thermoscreens’ Ecopower Air Technology. This enhances the air velocity projection and uniformity and the energy effectiveness and savings, delivered through an air plenum, converging nozzle and active circular grille, for which a patent is pending.”

To reduce energy usage further, the HP DXE Heat Pump air curtain also offers comprehensive, enhanced control options, including weather compensation as standard on Mr Slim models. This achieves significant energy and carbon savings and the payback period can be reduced to less than two years.

With weather compensation the heat pump compressor automatically adjusts in accordance with the outside air temperature, measured by an outdoor air sensor. A warmer discharge air stream is selected if it is cold outside, and vice versa.

The Mr Slim and City Multi models are both available in surface-mounted and recessed options, and are easy to install, with only three cables to wire on site. Access for servicing and maintenance has also been improved, and customers benefit from lower noise levels as a result of changes to the motors and fans.

“Rather than deriving warm air from conventional sources such as direct electric heating or low, medium or high pressure hot water, the HP DXE Heat Pump air curtain is linked to a Mitsubishi Electric outdoor heat pump compressor unit, which significantly minimises the energy used.,” said Cree.

“Heat pumps convert naturally-occurring low-grade heat from the surrounding outdoor air into high temperature heat, which can then be used to reduce the primary fuel consumption of mechanical equipment, such as air curtains.

“The HP DXE Heat Pump air curtain system also benefits from Ecopower Air Technology, which means the air velocity projection and uniformity reaches right across, and covers, the door opening, reducing the ingress of cold air.

“On top of this there are improved control options, so customers can be certain that with a HP DXE Heat Pump air curtain they will be achieving the highest energy, carbon and cost savings possible.”