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The main challenge for today's operations manager is to build an effective energy management plan while maintaining operational efficiency. The key is to reduce energy consumption, which can be accomplished in a variety of ways, from deactivating idle equipment to the system and lighting maintenance.
One of the most significant opportunities for increasing profitability is through an effective energy management plan. New temperature control, material handling, lighting, and water management technologies have made energy use one of the most critical factors in warehouse efficiency.
You can reduce operating costs, bills, and other expenses by becoming more energy and usage efficient. In short, implementing even a few energy-saving measures can be beneficial to your warehouse's bottom line. You may assume that implementing an effective energy management plan is only possible for company-owned warehouses, but that’s not true. There are a few things you can do even if you have a leased or third-party facility.
The following are some of the tips to cut down warehouse electricity costs:
1. Turn off Warehouse Machines When They Are Not in Use
When it comes to energy, one of the most wasteful practices among warehouse operators is leaving machines running for no apparent reason. For Example, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Lighting systems in a warehouse consume a significant amount of energy during the employees working hours the day. However, some of the operators allow these systems to run idly even after working hours, leading to the wastage of electricity. As a result, the annual electricity costs of the warehouse increase. Consequently, this additional cost can lead to higher overall supply costs, which can be passed down the supply chain and ultimately impact customers.
Allowing machines to run for no reason also increases your carbon footprint. In an age when the general public is concerned about the environment, warehouses that fail to control their emissions can earn a bad reputation among customers.
2. Performing Preventive and Routine Maintenance
In a warehouse, there are a lot of machines that run on electricity. These machines require a significant amount of energy to run properly. As time passes, some machines strain to perform their basic functions. If an older machine has not been serviced for a long time (not even for new filters or parts), it may require more energy than before to function. The machine may also be hazardous to the environment if wear and tear render the motor incapable of burning fuel cleanly.
Preventative maintenance must be performed regularly to keep warehouse machines in good working condition.
3. Use Smart Technology in Your Warehouse
Smart technologies and the internet of things (IoT) have given rise to new energy-saving options that can be used in warehouses. Warehouses can track energy consumption with IoT trackers and sensors and use this information to avoid peak levels and power surges. In some cases, you may discover high levels of energy consumption in areas you least expect, such as small devices that could seem to consume low amounts of energy.
Smart sensors can also be used to track which machines and operations consume the most energy. This information can be used to determine whether to reduce machinery or usage times, as to identify idle uses of inactive equipment, such as tools and machines that are constantly plugged in but rarely used during a typical day. By unplugging a few devices that are either used rarely or have been dormant for a long time, your warehouse could see significant energy savings.
4. Inspect and Service the HVAC Systems of Your Warehouse
An HVAC system can significantly increase a warehouse's energy consumption. A warehouse with ineffective heating and cooling management may have high electricity costs on a monthly or annual basis. Often, warehouse managers fail to identify HVAC as one of the primary causes of rising overhead costs. You must manage the heating and cooling systems of the warehouse economically to keep this problem under control. You should also perform regular inspections and maintenance of these systems.
5. Employ LED Lights in Your Warehouse
LED Lights can prove to be one of the best ways to save electricity at your warehouse. LED lights use significantly less energy than tungsten GLS lamps and can last up to eight times longer. You can save money in both ways with LED lights since they do not need to be replaced very frequently. They also produce less heat as compared to GLS lamps, thus reducing the amount of cooling energy required by a warehouse daily.
When you run a warehouse, you're constantly concerned with your bottom line and looking for ways to improve it. One of the most effective ways to do so is to reduce one of your most significant monthly expenses: energy bills. BuildMyInfra offers a whole range of services for building a cost-saving electrical infrastructure for your warehouse. Contact BuildMyInfra for more information.