At many thousands of square feet per building, warehouses and storage facilities are some of the largest and most common commercial building types in the United States.
The growth of e-commerce and the increasing adoption of automation technologies to streamline warehousing means buildings need larger footprints to accommodate — and higher energy bills to keep everything running smoothly.
In this blog, we’ll cover key energy challenges faced by warehouses and similar facilities. We’ll also discuss how leveraging market expertise and adopting the right tools and tech can help building owners boost efficiency without breaking the bank.
Warehouse Energy Stats To Know
Yes, it’s true! According to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), there are more warehouses and storage buildings in the U.S. than offices, education facilities, and retail and service buildings.
That same data estimates that each warehouse or storage building is, on average, 17,400 square feet, with a mean energy intensity (i.e., a measure of energy inefficiency) of 30.2 thousand British thermal units (MBtu) per square foot.
Combined, this entire classification of buildings consumed approximately 528 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) of energy during the year the data was collected, with electricity and natural gas accounting for the vast majority of fuel use. Breaking it down just one step ahead, space heating (39%) and lighting (15%) consume the most energy in warehouse and storage facilities.
Key Energy Challenges Warehouses Face
Looking at the data, with temperature control and lighting being the highest consumers of energy in warehouses, focusing on creating efficiencies in these areas can prove invaluable to streamlining operations and reducing your carbon footprint.
Lighting Inefficiencies
Warehouses often rely on outdated lighting systems that consume excessive energy. Transitioning to energy-efficient lighting solutions, such as LED fixtures, can significantly reduce energy consumption.
Temperature Control
Maintaining optimal temperatures in large, open spaces is challenging and can lead to energy waste. Implementing efficient HVAC systems and proper insulation can help warehouses become more energy efficient by reducing the amount of heat or cool air needed to maintain comfortable temperatures.
Renewable Energy Integration
While integrating renewable energy sources like solar panels can enhance sustainability, challenges such as high installation costs and structural concerns may impede adoption.
Other Common Areas of Energy Consumption in Large Warehouses
It’s unclear what the EIA includes in the “Other” category on its chart for end-use energy in warehousing; however, the following each account for 10% or less of total energy consumption:
- Cooling (air conditioning).
- Refrigeration.
- Ventilation.
- Equipment.
While these may not be the main focus of your energy efficiency initiatives, there’s still value in optimizing consumption at all energy endpoints in your facility to maximize results — both for your business and the environment.
Energy Saving Tips: How To Improve Energy Efficiency in Warehouses
While energy efficiency measures look similar across different industries, they are scaled way up in warehousing. There are typically far more lights and larger areas to heat or cool. With the right strategies and solutions, the potential energy savings for these large spaces can be significant.
Conduct An Energy Audit
An energy audit can help identify areas of high energy intensity in your warehouse, which makes it much easier for your consultant to create a customized energy plan. If your warehouse is using outdated lighting or has suboptimal insulation for locking in heat, a robust energy audit can help identify areas that have the highest energy-saving potential.
If you’re paying more than you ought to for energy in your area, a comprehensive audit can help you understand how switching energy suppliers could save you money.
Upgrade Lighting
There are far better options out there today for warehouse lighting than traditional fluorescent high bays or metal halides. Replacing old lighting with LED fixtures or smart lighting systems can help you save lots of energy.
LEDs use up to 75% less energy compared to incandescent bulbs and about 50% less than fluorescent. They also last far longer, between 25,000–50,000 hours.
Smart lighting, on the other hand, uses sensors and automation to optimize energy usage, light motion, and daylight sensors that adjust lighting based on the presence of people or natural light.
Improve Insulation and Building Envelope
The building envelope of a warehouse may be more prone to leaks and cracks than other building types. Large doors, loading docks, and other openings found throughout warehouses introduce multiple junctions and penetrations, each of which is a potential weak point where leaks can develop.
Regular, routine inspections are important for recognizing and repairing gaps around doors, windows, docks, and roofing to minimize energy loss. Doors themselves may also benefit from replacement with more energy-friendly options — such as high-speed doors and insulated dock doors — to reduce energy loss when moving goods in and out.
Integrate Renewable Energy
Depending on the location of the warehouse, one renewable energy source may be more suitable than others. Rooftop solar systems are great for generating renewable energy for lighting and HVAC in some climates. In cases where solar isn’t feasible or is too expensive, partnering with an energy consultant who knows the ins and outs of federal and state incentives can be a huge help in securing financing. Options like Power Purchase Agreements are also an avenue worth exploring, and something an energy consultant can help you navigate confidently.
Use Utility Management Software
Once your warehouse energy strategy is up and running, keeping tabs on it through utility management software can help you stay on course. With features for invoice collection, document management, and emissions tracking, ECX Marketplace provides everything you need to continue powering your business all in one place.
EnerConnex: Helping Create More Energy-Efficient Warehouses
With their large building footprints and massive open spaces, warehouses can be challenging when it comes to improving energy efficiency; but with a tailored energy solution, they can also be the most rewarding.
Leverage expert market insights and take advantage of the latest in utility management technology to hone your warehouse energy strategy to improve efficiency throughout your facility.
Explore EnerConnex services and get in touch to learn how we can help you manage a more energy efficient warehouse.