Over the past few years, we have seen more regulations and policies aim to promote the adoption of sustainable practices in the warehousing industry and to encourage businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. Not only are we seeing a sustainable push from policy, but also through consumers. Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of their choices on the environment and are choosing companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

Consumers, policy and our back pocket are all telling us to reduce energy costs and watch our impact on the environment, but this becomes extremely difficult when we operate in heat intensive environments and have a legal and moral duty to keep our labour comfortable.

With climate scientists predicting an increase in heat waves of greater intensity, businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their workers, this includes protecting them from heat stress.

Cooling in warehouses can be one of the most energy-intensive operations, especially during the summer months when temperatures can reach extreme levels. This is because cooling typically requires the use of energy-intensive equipment such as air conditioners, chillers, and refrigeration units.

In addition, warehouses are often large, open spaces with high ceilings, which can make it difficult and expensive to maintain a comfortable temperature. This can result in a significant energy consumption, especially if the warehouse is not designed with energy efficiency in mind.

Big Ass Fans, has a commitment to safety and comfort and has researched and developed methods to overcome these issues. This research has been carried out at both their research and development facility in the US, the largest facility of its kind, as well as working extensively with NASA to better understand thermal comfort. We have worked with designers and engineers from around the world to deliver effective cooling in a sustainable way.

Two Key Learnings:

• Understand what Sustainable policies and incentives there are for energy efficiency within your warehouse and what impact it will have on your operations.
• Identify how HVLS fans can help manage heat stress with labour, reduce energy costs and help improve a business’s environmental impact.