Implementing green practices is not only imperative for lessening a company’s reliance on fossil fuels or helping the environment. It’s also a smart approach to reducing business costs. For warehouses, there can be several causes of poor energy efficiency that impact their overall operations. It can be due to poor airflow, wasteful and outdated equipment, inefficient climate-control systems, and poor roof construction.
If your main goal is to improve your cost input or provide better product production or operations, creating an energy-efficient warehouse is worth the investment. If you are also looking to cut overhead on your warehousing operations, these green techniques can help you out.
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Maximize vertical warehousing
Vertical warehousing is a well-known method for storing different equipment or stock. But apart from the obvious benefit of saving on space, this strategy is also beneficial for reducing the environmental impact of one’s operations, cutting transportation costs, and most of all, saving on utilities. If you’re on the lookout for a new warehouse, it’s best to opt for a multi-story facility near the end customer.
Creating a vertical warehouse requires specific equipment such as vertical racks and storage carousels, which are fortunately cost-effective options. The best part is, those carousels can be installed and operated in almost every warehouse application.
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Optimize heating and ventilation
Some warehouses can operate without heating, while others require permanent heating solutions. Depending on your facility or the type of items stored in it, it’s a must to ensure that the workplace’s temperature is at the right level. Determine the amount of physical activity done in your warehouse. You can also take advantage of roof vents, doors, or windows for natural ventilation.
On the other hand, if your facility is usually unoccupied, assess the level of air conditioning and heating required to create a comfortable storage environment for your products or items. You can also avoid energy waste and assure good operation by implement regular maintenance like filter changes.
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Invest in industrial air compressors
Controlling the air systems in your warehouse is also a smart move to increase energy efficiency. Regardless of whether you’re using running a facility for food production, auto mechanics, or general manufacturing, installing an industrial compressed-air system is recommended. Such systems offer great advantages such as increased energy efficiency, advanced integration and monitoring, and maximized reliability and performance.
When it comes to availing of a new air compressor system, some vital factors to consider include convenience and maintenance, system performance, and of course, the cost. Also, make sure to consider your warehouse’s size and specific application in deciding the right system to acquire.
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Install some crucial sensors
Another energy-efficient strategy for warehouse operations is installing modern sensors around your facility. Setting these up can help improve your weekend shutdown and nighttime routines. For instance, daylight sensors provide better control of your artificial lighting when there is enough natural daylight.
In addition, you can install occupancy sensors on your facility to ensure that your lights will only turn on when a certain area is in use. They can then switch off the lights following the period of vacancy. On average, you can save around 30% and up on your electricity bills with these sensors.
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Get energy-saving doors
Having problems with your insulation? Look into your warehouse doors. Ideally, your doors should be easy to repair, are high-speed, and properly insulated to avoid energy loss. This is particularly important if you want to implement a strict temperature in your facility to accommodate an appropriate storing environment for your products or good in storage. For doorways that need to be open most of the time, you can install a high-quality industrial air curtain. These are effective for reducing about 80% of energy loss and giving protection against airborne pests.
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Create a culture around energy efficiency
Lastly, don’t forget that it’s also important to promote energy awareness in your company. From your stakeholders to the ground workers, they should know the importance of implementing energy-saving practices in warehousing. One effective way to do this is by creating an energy management program for all employees. It should discuss specific topics and areas such as energy metering and analysis, your long-term energy policy, and other energy-saving opportunities for your company.
Apart from cutting down operation costs, implementing these simple green strategies and practices can offer your company tons of other amazing benefits. These include increased business independence, branded sustainability, improved return on investment, and better employee morale. Shift to sustainable warehousing now and give your business a winning edge.
