Key points summary:
- The challenge: Warehouses lose a lot of heat through large loading bay doors being left open.
- The solution: Whilst high-speed doors somewhat counteract this, air curtains are designed to significantly reduce heat loss.
- The benefit: Air curtains reduce heat loss, improve heating efficiency and save money on energy bills, and enable warehouses to leave large loading bay doors open without compromising on heating efficiency.
Warehouses lose a lot of heat through loading bay doors. These large doors are frequently left open for long periods, letting warm air from inside the building out and cold air in.
This heat loss is reflected in increased heating costs. Heating systems can’t cope with the change in temperature, and turning up the thermostat to compensate for heat lost through loading bay doors leads to rising energy costs. Luckily, there are ways to solve loading bay heat loss, such as installing air curtains above large doors.
Why to fix loading bay heat loss
As well as making things less chilly indoors, addressing your loading bay heat loss issues has numerous benefits:
- Improved heating efficiency: By fixing loading bay heat loss, you will no longer need to run your heating unnecessarily high to compensate – improving the efficiency of your heating system.
- Lower energy costs: Running your heating less naturally leads to a significant saving on your energy bills too.
- Reduced emissions: Using less energy also reduces the carbon footprint of your warehouse, an especially important factor as more businesses consider net zero strategies and improving their EPC ratings.
- Better working conditions: Creating a stable temperature inside your loading bay makes for much better and healthier working conditions in cold weather.
Solution 1: High-speed doors
One way to reduce heat loss in a busy loading bay is by fitting high-speed doors. These large doors rapidly open and close, minimising heat loss and helping to maintain a stable indoor temperature on cold days.
1. Safe (if properly maintained)
High-speed doors have safety-critical sensors and other features to ensure they function smoothly and safely. High-speed door parts undergo a lot of wear and tear from operating at rapid speeds. Their safety is only assured if the doors are properly and regularly maintained.
2. Heat loss considerations
Although the rapid opening and closing of high-speed doors does help to reduce heat loss, it still doesn’t completely solve the issue.
When there is no barrier to keep air in, it only takes a moment for hot air to escape – meaning some heat is lost every time a high-speed door opens and closes. In busy warehouses where goods are constantly passing in and out of loading bays, this incremental heat loss can quickly mount.
During extended periods of loading and unloading, large loading bay doors must also be left open. Again, the lack of a barrier means heat will be lost, decreasing the efficiency of your heating system.
Solution 2: Air curtains
Air curtains are another popular solution to warehouse heat loss. These fan-powered units can be installed above large loading bay doors, creating a warm air barrier between the door and the outside. When the door is open, this air barrier counteracts any heat lost.
1. Energy efficient
Not only do air curtains significantly reduce heat lost through large doorways, they also automatically adjust their output in line with your ideal indoor temperature.
Air curtains use energy efficiently, and by creating a warm air barrier between your building and the outside enable your heating system to function more efficiently too. These factors combined can save your business a huge amount on your energy bill.
2. Keep loading bay doors open
Air curtains also have a positive impact on loading productivity. Whilst high-speed doors only keep heat in when they are shut, with air curtains even large loading bay doors can be left open without seriously impacting your indoor temperature.
The curtain of warm air also repels pollutants, dust, and insects, improving the air quality of your building even when doors are left open.
3. Temperature stability
The warm air barrier created by an air curtain helps your heating system maintain a consistent, comfortable indoor temperature in cold weather. Some air curtains also have a cold air setting, so you can maintain temperature stability all year round.
