How to green your warehouse

fN roonv's BUSTNESS climate, having Ian environmentally friendly warehouse not only lowers energy costsit also wins respect from customers who care about green building.

Since heating, cooling, and lighr ing are the largest energy uses for warehouses, first look for savings in these three areas.

Even relatively inexpensive upgrades can make a big difference: new weatherstripping for doors and windows, window caulking, new insulation for roof-wall intersections, and sealing all penetrations through the building shell. Each of these measures prevent outside air from getting into the building and conditioned air (air that costs money to heat or cool) from escaping.

Strategically placed windows and skylights provide natural light yearround, reducing the need for electricity. Skylights and clerestory windows that open provide natural ventilation by allowing hot air to escape during warmer weather.

Lighting controls such dimmers and occupancy sensors save energy, as do fluorescent bulbs that turn on immediately without needing to warm up. Outdoors, install photo-sensors and motion detectors to automatically control lights. Don't forget routine maintenance: clean and replace bulbs on a fixed schedule.

Verify that wall and roof insulation meets guidelines for your climate zone and operating conditions. If not, add insulation when renovatine the interior or the roof-when incremental costs will be lower.

Next, remove unused equipment from the roof, cap off the openings, and add insulation. For long-term energy savings, reduce unneeded paving and plant shade trees so the warehouse will be cooler in summer.

To improve HVAC efficiency, change filters as needed and install a desiccant wheel to remove moisture from incoming air-an activity that consumes 30Vo to 5O7o of all air conditioning energy. Use radiant space heaters in smaller spaces-such as loading docks and offices-and turn off heating and cooling completely when it's not needed or spaces are not occupied.

When it's time to buy a new forklift, consider electric vehicles. Diesel and propane-fueled lifts require extra ventilation, which adds to the HVAC load. Just remember to recharge electric-vehicle batteries during off-peak hours, when costs are lower.

Finally, make recycling a daily habit in the warehouse-and throughout your business. Provide convenient bins for recycling of packaging materials and encourage their use. The goal is to save money and reduce waste, while making the warehouse a healthier place to work.