Are revolving doors more energy efficient

Automated doors enable a smooth flow of foot traffic in and out of a building. They increase security, can be teamed with access control elements, and prevent heat loss during the cooler months. While this can make your building more energy efficient over the longer term, there are running costs associated with automated doors.

Different types of doors have a different energy use profile, and we’re often asked are revolving doors more energy efficient?

Here’s how revolving doors perform compared to other types of automated doors and what you need to consider.

The right door for your space

The key factor in the choice of automated doors for your building is likely to be your available space, the amount of daily foot traffic, and where your building is located if it’s an external door. Revolving doors are a popular choice in a variety of settings, and are often seen on hotels, banks, and office buildings in busy urban environments.

Revolving doors: how they work

Before considering are revolving doors more energy efficient, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of how they are constructed and operated.

A revolving door will usually consist of three or four doors that are mounted on a central shaft. The doors are driven by an electric motor and will rotate at a steady, constant speed.

This makes them a practical alternative to sliding doors in a range of settings, particularly in places with a high-volume of foot traffic.

Why are revolving doors more energy efficient?

Revolving doors can be more energy efficient than alternatives because they minimise the amount of air that moves in and out of the building. This lowers the number of air changes that take place over the course of the day, meaning that during the summer less hot unconditioned air is able to enter, and in the winter, less warm air escapes. This makes it much easier to maintain the required air temperature within the building, meaning that aircon and heating systems have to work less hard and use less energy.

Revolving doors are a permanent presence in the door opening, meaning that, in effect, they are continually ‘closed’. Small degrees of air exchange does take place when the revolving door is used, but this is a lot less compared to doors that withdraw fully to allow entry and exit. In busy environments where sliding doors are opening and closing continually, the differences in energy usage with a revolving door can be considerable.

Revolving doors and energy efficiency: how do they compare

Here’s how revolving doors compare to other types of automated doors when it comes to energy efficiency:

• Swing Doors

These are usually the least energy efficient form of door but can be a good option in areas of limited foot traffic or smaller buildings. Because they open fully when in use, they enable significant air transfer to take place. Poor insulation can result in higher heating and cooling costs.

• Sliding Doors

Sliding doors generally have better insulation than swing doors and can be fitted with motion sensors to limit unnecessary opening and closing. However, when open they do allow for significant air transfer to take place, making them less energy efficient.

• Revolving doors

Revolving doors always maintain a partial seal that prevents too much air loss. This makes them an efficient choice in commercial spaces where there is a lot of foot traffic.

Compared to swing doors, and to a lesser degree sliding doors, revolving doors can significantly reduce energy consumption over the longer term. This makes them a great option for any organisation looking to reduce their bills and carbon footprint. However, it’s important to remember it’s usage, and not the type of door that will be the key determinant of their running costs.

High security revolving doors from Safetell

At Safetell, we install revolving doors with a range of security profiles for our clients. Available in a number of sizes, they can be integrated with any access features and can include bespoke features such as a single person checking system and metal detectors.

They provide a secure, energy-efficient, means of access control for both external and internal areas.

If you’d like to find out more about revolving door options, our experienced team can answer your questions and provide you with a detailed quote.

Contact us to find out more about services.