How To Future-Proof Your Warehouse Heating System
Warehouses are essential for many businesses, especially those in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Research analysing ONS data reveals that warehousing and logistics businesses are among the sectors most affected by rising energy costs in the UK.
To help curb the impact of increased gas and electricity costs warehouse businesses must look to upgrade their heating infrastructure.
This means investing in heating systems that employ smart modern technologies, alternative fuel sources, and designs intended for large open warehouses. This post evaluates some of the leading options for future-proof warehouse heating, while at the same time establishing priorities when it comes to heating these commercial spaces.
Why Businesses Need To Focus On Warehouse Heating
There are various approaches to efficiently heat a warehouse, depending on the specific challenges faced by the warehouse owner or tenant. Let’s explore some of these key factors.
While wholesale energy prices have decreased since peaking in 2022- 2023 the base rate for electricity and gas for businesses continues to rise steadily with war/conflict between Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza contributing heavily to the volatility of wholesale fuel prices.
For businesses, it is now more important than ever to have the most efficient heating system in place to reduce energy consumption throughout the year and to safeguard themselves against sharp rises in energy prices.
Possessing the appropriate certifications and working within relevant regulations is essential for warehousing businesses to avoid costly fines. Changing safety standards can have a direct impact on warehouse heating.
Although currently there is no legal maximum or minimum workplace temperature in the UK, at the time of writing this article both ACAS and the Health and Safety Executive each recommend a working temperature of at least 16°C or 13°C if the work is more strenuous and physical.
To maintain quality and prevent damage, deterioration, or potential failure of stored inventory in a warehouse, it is essential to keep items in highly controlled environments.
Temperature control and humidity management are crucial in the storage process, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries, which must adhere to strict safety standards, regulations, and laws set by governing bodies such as the Food Standards Agency and Good Manufacturing Practice. These measures are in place to protect consumers from unsafe or ineffective products.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in consumer behavior towards sustainability, with an increasing expectation for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to addressing environmental challenges.
As awareness of climate change and other environmental issues grows, consumers are prioritising sustainable practices in their purchasing decisions. This shift is likely to impact both B2B relationships and supply chains, as well as B2C interactions. Many warehouse and factory heating systems may come under scrutiny due to the large spaces they need to heat and the harmful carbon emissions they generate.
Furthermore, there are additional incentives for businesses to adopt more sustainable operations in line with the UK Net Zero Strategy. Over time, businesses are expected to meet increasingly stringent energy efficiency targets, or they may face significant penalties and fines.
Considerations for more efficient warehouse heating
Many businesses have been using outdated and inefficient heating systems for years, often due to the size of their spaces and the potential costs associated with upgrading old warehouses and factory heating systems.
However, some businesses may not realise that replacing their outdated HVAC systems with modern, high-efficiency solutions can lead to a quicker return on investment (ROI) than expected. This is primarily due to the energy savings and reduced consumption that come with installing a new, efficient temperature control system.
When considering modern warehouse heating solutions, it is essential to conduct a detailed evaluation of the specific needs of the warehouse. Factors to consider include the temperature requirements, the dimensions of the space, and whether the heating will provide full coverage or partial zoning. Additionally, it’s important to assess how the insulation of the warehouse may have changed over time since the current heating system was installed. For example, improvements such as a newly insulated roof or walls can significantly enhance the building’s insulation values, thus improving heat loss calculations and reducing the total kilowatts required to heat the space.
The product information below will help to inform you about which heating systems are best for your warehouse.
Electric warm air heating
Electric air heaters provide a sustainable and effective heating solution for warehouses and other large, open-plan commercial and industrial spaces with high ceilings. These heaters operate similarly to gas-fired models, making them ideal for businesses seeking an environmentally friendly fuel option or for those that do not have a gas supply available on-site.
Electric Infrared Heaters
For warehouses that only want to heat smaller areas / zones such as loading bays and individual workstations, Electric Infrared Heating emits infrared radiation to heat only persons or objects that it encounters within the throw of each individual heater.
By not heating the air space, far less kws are required, it is, however, worth noting that outside the throw of the heater, there will be no heat benefit and for that reason, warehouse heating installations must be completed by industry professionals who can deliver precision-targeted infrared heating.
Fully modulating and Hydrogen blend warm air heating
Not all warehouses have a sufficiently sized electricity supply to heat the space with electricity. For these sites, transitioning to a sustainable heating solution may involve replacing outdated and inefficient gas-fired warm air or radiant heating systems with a modern, fully modulating gas-fired warm air heating system that is ready for a hydrogen blend.
New warm air heaters boast an efficiency of 96%, while heaters that are over 15 years old typically start with an efficiency of around 80%. However, with age-related wear and tear, this efficiency has declined over the years.
A well-designed, modern, high-efficiency gas-fired warm air heating system can save an estimated 30% on energy consumption and related energy costs.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps are fast becoming commonplace in commercial settings, as well as residential. By moving warmer air from external sources (air, ground, etc) into the property, heat pumps serve as a heating solution that uses very little energy. As a result, this option can be appealing for businesses that need to make large inroads into reducing their carbon footprint.
Destratification
Heat distribution is a critical factor when selecting a reliable system for long-term heating and while not a dedicated heating system in itself, destratification systems work perfectly in conjunction with warm air heating systems to provide the most effective and efficient heating solution for warehouse managers.
Destratification fans are installed at ceiling height and with the role of the fans being to gather warm air that rises and gathers below the ceiling and to return it to the ground level where it is of most benefit to the workforce and manufacturing / production processes.
Bespoke Heating System Design
When it comes to future-proofing warehouse heating systems, the most cost-effective approach is to source a fully bespoke heating infrastructure. No two warehouses will be the same, either in terms of their size and shape, heat loss values or how they’re used. A custom heating system will have the appropriate dimensions and mounting options to fit in the right places within the warehouse.
A heating system designed and manufactured explicitly for your warehouse will be more energy efficient than any single system you can buy on the market. There are many long-lasting benefits of bespoke designed and manufactured heating systems
OKEL’s design team only starts work on a bespoke installation after receiving a detailed site survey inspection report. This should include an analysis on both interior and exterior spaces to determine your unique heating requirements.
Staying Ahead Of The Curve For Warehouse Heating
The future of warehousing and logistics is uncertain, particularly regarding fluctuating fuel and energy prices. To safeguard your infrastructure against this uncertainty, it is essential to adopt the latest technologies and methodologies. As of now, this includes:
Smart warehouse controls
The most effective commercial heating systems for warehouses utilise intelligent thermostat controls. These controls enable the programming of heating systems to operate at different settings throughout the day, helping to conserve energy. For instance, a warehouse may need to maintain a temperature of 16°C during operational hours. However, outside of these hours, the thermostat can be set to a lower temperature to protect temperature-sensitive goods and safeguard against freezing conditions by using frost statistics.
Zoning
Establishing different heating zones within a warehouse can significantly enhance heating efficiency. By analysing how your facility operates, you can identify areas that are frequently used by warehouse staff and those that are not. For larger warehouses, especially those connected to manufacturing facilities, zoning is a crucial strategy for saving money.
Advanced ventilation
Air quality and regular airflow are both significant factors when it comes to heating for commercial spaces. More and more, warehouse owners are recognising the benefits of incorporating ventilation systems such as destratification fans. Moving warm air throughout large industrial spaces increases the effectiveness of heating systems, and ventilation units can be temperature management controls for even greater efficiency.
Experience Efficient Warehouse Heating For Years To come Thanks To OKEL
Selecting the best heating systems for warehouses is crucial for maintaining consistent energy efficiency over extended periods. When paired with smart monitoring and automation systems, along with modern building insulation, the right warehouse heating systems can ensure effective heating for many years to come.
There is no universal solution for long-term warehouse heating. Instead, businesses should focus on developing a tailored heating infrastructure and be open to making adjustments to their systems as needed. This may include upgrading existing heating systems and/or exploring new, more efficient fuels.
At OKEL, we take pride in offering heating solutions that reduce costs while satisfying climate-conscious clients, customers, and employees. Contact us to arrange a free site survey for your factory or warehouse.