Warehouses generate a high level of carbon emissions due to the large size and abundance of the facilities; according to recent figures from Savills UK, the warehousing market has grown to account for just shy of 690m sq. ft. In general, the bigger the warehouse, the higher the carbon footprint.
Sustainability amongst warehouses is extremely important as it can help build greener supply chains and contribute to a business’ overall carbon footprint.
Also, reducing your warehouse’s carbon footprint not only benefits the planet, but your finances and working conditions. Let’s take a closer look at what contributes to a warehouse’s emissions and how you can actively reduce them.
Why Do Warehouses Have a High Carbon Footprint?
The main reasons why warehouses have a high carbon footprint are: energy-consuming ventilation, inefficient lighting, and greenhouse gas emissions from handling equipment.
Ventilation, heating and cooling are required for warehouses to keep the space comfortable for workers, equipment and products and improve air quality. Old warehouses are notoriously hard to heat, and become sweat boxes in summer, making them uncomfortable places to work and ineffective places to store some equipment.
The majority have a requirement for temperature control to maintain staff comfort levels or product storage requirements. However, ventilation systems have a high electricity demand, especially if they are old and outdated, which means they consume much more energy.
It’s a similar case with lighting, with warehouses still using outdated incandescent lighting, high-pressure sodium lamps or metal halide lights. Older technology is usually less efficient which has a knock-on effect on energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Warehouse equipment, such as diesel-powered forklifts, generate greenhouse gas emissions which is detrimental to the warehouse’s carbon footprint. Plus, using this equipment in an enclosed space can have an impact on the air quality which effects the health of workers.
Tips for Reducing Your Warehouse’s Carbon Footprint
Taking the above factors into account, here are some ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint in your warehouse and adopt more sustainable practices.
Switch to Energy Efficient Cooling Systems
With warehouses being extremely large spaces, finding an effective and efficient ventilation and cooling system can seem near impossible. However, evaporative cooling systems from EcoCooling work as part of a balanced ventilation system, so you can keep the area well-ventilated and at a comfortable temperature all year round.
Our evaporative coolers are an eco-friendly solution that deliver significant energy savings. They do not use refrigerants, only 100% fresh, clean air, so are a greener alternative as well as a much more cost-effective option. Save as much as 90% on your cooling costs with EcoCooling – Get in touch today.
Add Insulation & Air Curtains
Another way to help maintain the right temperature of your warehouse is by adding insulation throughout your facility. Insulating the walls, roofs and doors will keep the space warm in winter and cool in the summer, therefore reducing the amount of energy used by systems to heat and cool the area too.
New warehouses are usually very well insulated, however, as summers get hotter, there is an increasing need for cooling systems to be available on the hottest days, to help increase productivity and reduce the risk of downtime in summer.
Air curtains are also a great option to help regulate the temperature alongside insulation and energy efficient cooling systems. They have been designed to stop the outside air from entering the warehouse facility which can impact the internal temperature. By implementing these, you can reduce the amount of energy used by your ventilation system and therefore, your carbon footprint.
Improve the Lighting
It’s time to upgrade your lighting to low-energy LED lights, natural tube lighting and sensors to help reduce your warehouse’s carbon footprint. LEDs use significantly less energy than outdated lighting which will immediately lower your energy consumption, plus they produce a lot less heat which will also help save energy too.
Natural tube lighting provides the opportunity to reduce day-time energy consumption by channelling natural light from the roof into the warehouse. Lighting with sensors also make sure that lights are only used when the space is occupied so energy isn’t wasted on unused areas.
Choose Electric Warehouse Equipment
Instead of using diesel-powered forklifts, switch to electric powered vehicles which work just as well and minimise your carbon footprint. They do not release harmful emissions into the air, so the air quality is cleaner for your employees.
Plus, they require less maintenance which reduces operational costs and they are quieter, resulting in a more peaceful atmosphere. By saving money, reducing noise pollution and increasing sustainability, electric forklifts are a great, eco-friendly solution.
Warehouse Cooling Systems from EcoCooling
Our EcoCooler range is the perfect environmentally friendly solution for any large building, especially warehouses. Also requiring minimum maintenance and being easy to operate, they maximise efficiency whilst minimising your carbon footprint.
Take a look at our warehouse cooling systems, our warehouse case studies to see how we helped our clients, or get in touch directly to discuss your requirements today.
- Published October 17, 2024
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Emma Beresford
Director at EcoCooling.
Driving the development of sustainable cooling solutions.
An experienced sales and marketing manager, working with SMEs to successfully develop and execute growth strategies. Key achievements have been in the identification and entry strategy for new markets via alignment and reapplication of existing IP/technology to new products and services.
