Improving Warehouse Temperature Control During Winter
For warehouses and distribution centers, the winter months can present an array of challenges. To save money and prevent wasted energy, warehouses must utilize their heating sources more efficiently.
Below are tips for enhancing warehouse temperature control in order to provide consistent warehouse temperature comfort and maximizing the dollars spent on energy.
1. Check For Leaks
Let’s start with one of the cheapest and easiest improvements to implement. We all know what cold, drafty winter air feels like if the weather stripping is missing from windows and doors in your home. Now, just imagine the impact unsealed windows and large loading bay doors have on warehouse temperature control.
One of the top sources for energy loss in heated or refrigerated warehouses is air infiltration through gaps. One of the usual culprits for infiltration is loading dock doors. To save energy immediately, seal all air leaks and repair damaged insulation. Vinyl strip curtains should be installed at loading dock doors to help reduce the escape of cooled air when a loading/unloading operation is underway. Taking it a step further, you can install well-insulated cold-storage doors that open and close quickly to reduce infiltration.
2. Setup Heating Zones With Electric Heat
Warehouses should be sectioned off into different heating zones based on temperature needs, including office space. Likely not all areas of your building require heaters running non-stop or running at full blast at all times. If the warehouse is automated or unoccupied for periods of time, evaluate the level of heating required to make the environment safe for product storage and for equipment operation.
By installing King Electric Warehouse Heaters in each zone, you can easily heat only the areas in use and conserve energy.
3. Take Better Control With Programmable Thermostats
It is advisable to regulate warehouse temperature based on occupancy, building utilization and product needs. To improve efficiency, install electronic programmable thermostats and program a heating schedule for each zone. These thermostats are easily set to control your various heating needs.
By installing King Programmable Thermostats in every zone, you can easily program a custom heating schedule to heat only the areas when they are in use and conserve energy .
4. Circulate The Heated Air
As we all learned in elementary school, hot air rises. This is particularly relevant when it comes to warehouse temperature control because the air at the high ceiling level in warehouses can become disproportionately hot. Ceiling fans can help save energy by reducing air stratification and recirculating the air.
5. Exhaust Fans Will Exhaust Your Heat
Don’t forget to shut off exhaust fans when warehouse spaces are unoccupied for significant periods of time. Don’t overlook the fact that it is cheaper to retemper indoor air than to bring cold outside air up to a comfortable temperature. So, it is recommended that exhaust heat is captured from mechanical equipment to boost space heating. If your application requires fresh air, a Makeup Air Handler can be used to temper incoming cold air to maintain a comfortable space.
Installing a King Makeup- Air Handler, complements your heating system by preheating incoming fresh air at the lowest cost, thus continuously proving comfortable ventilation throughout the building.
6. Add Spot Heating For Employees
Sometimes, it is not economically feasible or practical to keep your entire warehouse at temperatures above the 60-degree mark that would be a comfortable climate for employees. This is especially the case inside loading dock areas in the winter months. To maintain warehouse temperature control, you may want to consider supplemental radiant heaters, which can be targeted to heat your building’s employees at specific locations. Radiant heaters can help maintain temperatures even when air temperatures drop because a loading dock operation is taking place.
By installing King Radiant Heaters in areas workers stand for long periods of time you can reduce overall heating requirements and conserve energy.
