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According to the NVM, in 2018 there were 1,930 warehouses in the Netherlands with a total area of 31.3 million square meters. In recent years, that volume has only continued to increase. The focus in most warehouses is on inventory management with extra attention to picking and delivering orders. The pressure from the ever-increasing number of online orders is only getting higher, so costs sometimes get lost sight of. Refrigeration, lighting, endless driving and lifting movements; a fortune in energy is consumed.
At the same time, we are all facing unprecedented increases in energy prices. Sooner or later, the managers of our warehouses will have to not only optimize the revenue side, but also resolutely develop plans to curb energy consumption. Rite-Hite is not only an expert in minimizing risks on the loading dock, but has also been developing solutions to optimize internal climate for years. The company shares three areas of focus, where many gains can be made.
1. Ensure maximum sealing at the loading dock
Loading and unloading can become energy-consuming activities if dock shelters do not adequately seal. Most dock shelters trap a trailer along the sides, bottom and top, but the corners remain completely or partially open. Or some gaps can still be seen. Optically, there doesn't seem to be much of an issue, but studies show that these small gaps per loading bay result in an annual energy loss worth between €1,400 and €3,000! For this reason only, choose the very best sealing dock shelters, such as Rite-Hite's Eclipse.
2. Choose fans that optimize the destratification process
Regardless of the type of warehouse, HVLS fans (with large blades and low speeds) can offer many advantages. They use less energy than traditional (faster) fans, but they mainly help with destratification. This means they create a uniform temperature throughout the warehouse by mixing warm air with cool air. In fact, the problem is that heated air mostly rises to the ceiling, leaving your employees downstairs working in the cold. HVLS fans eliminate those temperature differences again, without having to turn the heating knobs. Thus, they can even reduce energy consumption up to 30%.
3. Industrial doors should offer speed above all else
Not only on the loading dock do doors contribute to good climate control. Lifting and warehouse trucks often travel from one hall to another, where high-speed doors must ensure rapid passage without causing temperature fluctuations. This is especially true in applications where certain areas must be cooled, such as in a food environment. Every part of a second that the door is closed earlier saves energy.
Rite-Hite staff can conduct an on-site survey to determine where improvements can still be made. A minimal investment can often yield an unexpected windfall!
