Implementing an energy-efficient lighting system can make your facility much brighter overall, and in particular, it can brighten those dark ‘canyons’ between rack rows.

It also saves you money on utility costs. In a large distribution center, the daily cost savings is significant, even before you factor in enhanced productivity due to an overall better working environment. But it gets better: Under the 2005 EPACT law, you can deduct the entire cost of a new lighting system, up to 60 cents a square foot if the system reduces lighting power density below he maximum allowable lighting power densities listed in ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2001, and if a few other requirements are met. This typically results in a much lower cost of ownership and a very quick return on investment.

Oh, and combined with other energy saving upgrades to your facility, that 60 cents could climb to $1.80 a square foot.

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Just a few ways to improve your operation as the heat of summer approaches. There are many issues of productivity and safety that are stressed as the heat rises. As temperatures start to rise, it gets particularly hot in industrial facilities, warehouses, shops, and distribution centers where air conditioning isn’t always present, extremely costly, or always effective. Experts say that employee productivity increases when ambient temperatures are comfortable and plummets when they aren’t. Error rates are forced up, safety is reduced as workers fight through hot, sweaty conditions.

Cool down the facility with HVLS fans: If you can’t air-condition, or can’t adequately do so, there are methods that can cool large amounts of square footage for relatively low costs. Floor fans are all right for specific areas, but they suffer from their high volume. One of the most productive methods is to employ high volume, low speed fans. Warehouses have very high ceilings and vast spaces that are often reconfigured when stock and materials change. Warehouses and distribution centers face ongoing temperature control battles during the summer months, with or without air conditioning.

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