Batch-type warewasher with energy retaining curtain

A batch-type warewash machine for washing wares, comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber for receiving wares to be cleaned and having a chamber access opening through which wares are moved into and out of the chamber, the chamber including a lower sump zone and an upper spray zone;
• a wash spray system including a pump and a wash liquid flow path for moving wash liquid from the sump along the wash liquid flow path to at least one wash spray arm with multiple wash spray nozzles for directing wash liquid sprays onto wares within the upper spray zone;
• a rinse spray system including a rinse spray flow path for delivering rinse liquid to at least one rinse arm with multiple rinse spray nozzles for directing rinse liquids sprays onto wares within the upper spray zone;
• a door mounted to the housing, the door movable between a closed position covering the chamber access opening and an open position away from the chamber access opening to allow wares to be moved in and out of the chamber;
• and
• a curtain structure mounted on the housing at the chamber access opening, the curtain structure positioned behind the door when the door is in the closed position, the curtain structure at least partially covering an upper part of the chamber access opening when the door is in the open position, the curtain structure comprising flexible material that enables wares to be moved in and out of the chamber access opening past the curtain structure.