Warehouses consume tremendous amounts of energy daily. With all the different resources and pieces of equipment they continuously power or recharge, they can quickly rack up a high energy bill for your business. However, their vital role in completing tasks smoothly and efficiently cannot be ignored, leaving many companies in difficult positions about how they should approach the energy expenditure of their warehouses. Luckily, there are a few things that businesses can do to improve their understanding of warehouse energy efficiency and reduce the amount of power their facilities use.
Read on to learn more about improving warehouse efficiency, including the following:
- Why warehouse energy efficiency is important
- Common challenges of warehouse energy efficiency
- Five facility energy-saving ideas
The Importance of Warehouse Energy Efficiency
The importance of an energy-efficient warehouse cannot be overstated. Not only are there financial benefits to conserving as much energy as possible, but the well-being of your workers and your operation’s productivity are also at stake. While there isn’t one integral change that can drastically reduce the amount of power your warehouse consumes, there are many actions you can take that, through a combined effort, make a noticeable difference.
The more energy your warehouse can save, the more significant benefits your company can reap. Likewise, unnecessary energy expenditure is guaranteed to set you back. Here are some of the many advantages of having sustainable warehouse energy efficiency:
- Helps the environment: Aside from helping yourself, improving your warehouse energy efficiency can significantly benefit the environment. Reducing energy production can lessen the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The positive results would be astronomical if every business were to curb energy expenditure.
- Reduces costs: If you’re oblivious to your warehouse’s total energy consumption, look at your energy bill. Without proper management, the cost of operating your facility is going to be drastically higher than it needs to be. Using power-saving solutions to improve efficiency can minimize energy costs and grow your bottom line.
- Better working conditions: Having energy-efficient facilities can benefit your workers as well, providing them with functioning AC, consistent lighting quality, and operational equipment. Having these amenities helps their day go smoothly, improving overall mood and productivity.
- Increases equipment longevity: Energy optimization allows equipment within your warehouse to function more efficiently, but it also helps extend the duration of its service life by a significant amount.
Common Challenges of Warehouse Energy Efficiency
Optimizing warehouse energy efficiency can be challenging. Understanding the variety of ways your warehouse consumes power can help your business get ahead of the issues and work towards improving its energy expenditure.
Here are some of the most common hurdles:
Inadequate Lighting
Lighting consumes a massive percentage of a warehouse’s total energy expenditure. Being large spaces with high ceilings, they require more industrial fixtures to sufficiently brighten the area. An energy audit can help determine to what amount your lightning drains total energy, but it’s likely to make up a majority.
Loading Docks
Warehouses have the distinct challenge of optimizing energy efficiency with giant loading dock doors. These massive openings allow heat and air-conditioning to escape when in use. Weakened weather stripping and improperly installed air curtains only contribute to energy loss.
Properly constructed loading docks—complete with efficient weather stripping and air curtains—are vital for preserving your warehouse’s energy efficiency. Learn more about the many types of docks available from an industry professional and which best suits your warehouse.
Unoptimized HVAC Units
Heating and cooling play a major role in a warehouse’s energy output. Warehouses have large open spaces for storage and are often poorly insulated, which allows heat or cool air to escape. This makes it difficult to heat or cool an area efficiently, forcing your HVAC system to work even harder and use unnecessary energy. Combine this with an already outdated HVAC unit, and it’s like slowly draining a car battery.
5 Tips to Improve Warehouse Energy Efficiency
If you are looking to cut down on your energy bill, here are some manufacturing energy-saving ideas for those that wish to improve their warehouse energy efficiency.
Utilize LED Lighting
LED lighting is one of the most energy-efficient methods available. They’re long-lasting and capable of better managing power. They are also compatible with smart lighting systems that, when installed, can regulate the light intensity and activate automatically based on motion sensors. This can drastically reduce your energy output—if there’s nobody around that needs light, there’s no point in needlessly draining power.
Update HVAC and Temperature Controls
An outdated HVAC system can spell trouble for your warehouse efficiency. Contact inspectors to check your ventilation, air conditioning, and heating. They can detect and improve your ductwork, check air filters, and ensure your unit functions efficiently. Installing regulated smart temperature controls can also reduce the amount of wasted energy from your HVAC systems while keeping the workplace comfortable.
Improve Insulation
Older buildings are often poorly insulated, and the same could be true for your warehouse. Installing an appropriate level of insulation can help retain heat and reduce your energy bills during the colder months. Proper sealing and weather-stipping add even greater levels of heat and energy conservation.
Conserve Equipment Energy
Equipment not currently in use should be shut off or put into a power-saving mode to conserve energy. Machinery running without being used is a good use of power and money, but this can be prevented by properly training workers on equipment best practices. The energy saved by idle machines can result in an increased bottom line.
Use Energy-Efficient Warehouse Equipment
Investing in energy-efficient warehouse equipment can be an excellent way to save on power when all else fails. This includes electric tugs, roller skids, optimized aerial lifts, and more. Newer models are generally better at performing tasks without using absorbent amounts of energy. Upgrading your machinery to more efficient and updated models is a worthwhile investment, especially when all your equipment is energy-efficient.
Looking to Improve Your Warehouse Energy Efficiency? HTX Material Handling Can Help
If you want to increase your business’s warehouse energy efficiency and save money, HTX Material Handling can help. As a leading material handling equipment company, our team is dedicated to providing clients with efficient, affordable warehouse solutions—and more.
Ready to start reducing your energy bill and maximizing your warehouse efficiency? Contact HTX Material Handling today.