Blog

Using Energy-Saving Warehouse Equipment to Increase Efficiency

Warehousing costs can take up a large amount of a company’s revenue. Heating and lighting alone can have a significant impact on energy consumption, while certain equipment can consume even more.

Here are some effective ways you can save energy in your warehouse and make warehousing operations more environmentally conscious, including the installation of industrial warehouse curtain walls.

Energy-Saving Warehouse Equipment

Operating costs of machinery in manufacturing facilities and distribution centers can consume a lot of electricity. Newer energy-saving warehouse equipment is available with high-efficiency motors, including everything from sortation units to conveyor systems.

Conveyor systems alone can account for up to 50 percent of a warehouse’s electrical load, potentially measuring two or more miles long in certain warehouses. The amount of equipment needed can make it difficult to manage.

However, replacing older conveyor equipment with entirely new systems isn’t always necessary.

Warehouses can retrofit older conveyor motors with new high-efficiency motors with a “soft-start” that reduces mechanical shock when starting the machines, which can decrease electrical consumption and lower maintenance expenses.

Save as Much Space as Possible

One way to save space in warehouses is to utilize vertical energy-saving warehouse equipment. With more vertical machinery such as vertical conveyors, carousels, AS/RS, and more, warehouses don’t need to use up as much land, workers don’t need to travel within the warehouse as much, and fewer utilities are required to keep the facility running.

Warehouses with multiple floors are also more accommodated in dense urban areas, preventing the need to build larger warehouses in isolated patches of land.

Some warehouses may have more equipment than they need, in which case property managers should reevaluate their systems and determine if they’re only using the equipment they need. Cutting out unnecessary machinery or entirely unused equipment that remains in the warehouse can reduce space requirements.

The decrease in the amount of space and overall energy consumption ultimately helps companies reduce their carbon footprint.

Lighting and Sensors

Energy-efficient bulbs can help cut down on energy expenses significantly, while motion sensors can turn lights off and on automatically based on movement within the warehouse. Different types of fluorescent light fixtures work for different areas of warehouses.

For example, consider using high-performance T8 lamps and ballasts for ceilings lower than 20 feet, or a combination of T8 and T5 lamps for greater heights. LED lighting is another inexpensive energy-efficient option.

Industrial Warehouse Curtain Walls

For temperature control, many companies may consider permanent wall construction, but flexible industrial warehouse curtain walls can provide the same level of temperature control without the need to stay in place on a permanent basis.

Warehouse curtains are flexible enough to move out of the way when no longer needed, and they cost less to install initially. Curtain wall products are available to divide individual workspaces, cold storage areas, large warehouse sections, docks, and more. They are much more versatile than other types of industrial wall constructions.

A combination of energy-saving warehouse equipment can help your facility save energy and money while improving the overall efficiency of operation. Your warehouse will benefit from better manageability and more employee accessibility.