Economic slow-down in the retail sector and dramatic rises in fuel costs are forcing retail companies to look for energy efficient alternatives to heating their premises. This is particularly the case in warehouse and distribution centres, where employee comfort and protection of goods is often at odds with keeping operating costs low. Alan Dorsey of Nordair Niche offers an economical solution.
The economics of today’s retail environment mean that many companies are centralising their distribution hubs. The sheer scale of their operations – and the operational efficiencies required in today’s business climate – mean that their premises are larger, and busier, than ever before.
Modern storage techniques allow more stock to be maintained in one building, but taller racking systems need much higher buildings. Increased movement of goods around the country generates more traffic into and out of the building, and loading bay doors are in constant use.
Heating such large premises is a major challenge, especially when it has to be achieved with an eye to economy and the requirements for minimal maintenance.
Heating premises is one of the biggest overheads most companies have to face. In large distribution buildings, maintaining appropriate air temperatures – that suit the comfort needs of employees and keep stock in good condition – can be an expensive business. Operators can pay a heavy price for failing to ensure their heating system is designed to cope with the specific demands of high bay, racked buildings.
Here’s the science
It is a sad fact that in large space buildings, much of the money spent heating the ‘hot air’ simply goes through the roof. It’s a simple matter of physics - hot air rises and cold air falls. You don’t have to be a heating expert to know that this has a negative effect on conventional heating systems in high bay warehouses and distribution centres.
For example, standard space heaters, which operate at relatively low air volumes, discharge air into the building at around 45-50°C. This is very much hotter than the internal air and doesn’t mix easily with it. Instead, it tends to rise quickly to high level.
At the same time, cold air infiltrates at low level – either through open doorways or ‘natural’ ventilation. This increases the upward migration of warm air to the top of the building where it becomes trapped - a phenomenon known as stratification. Unless the situation is remedied, significant temperature gradients occur between floor and roof. Heat is lost through the roof, while at low level (where people are working) it can be difficult to maintain the required temperature.
A large number of roof-mounted destratification fans may need to be installed to redistribute warm air to lower levels.
An economical alternative
Nordair Niche Air Rotation is a completely different approach to heating distribution centres and warehouses. The heater draws in cooler air at floor level and discharges it at high level across the building, producing an effective mix with the warmer air and forcing it down to lower levels.
The result is a gentle airflow pattern, displacing high level hot air and returning it to floor level to provide automatic destratification. Heat is distributed evenly, both horizontally and vertically, without the need for costly ductwork or high-level fans.
The system also captures heat from lighting and other sources, recirculating it to low level to reduce energy consumption.
A recent installation was completed for one of the largest retail distribution centres in South Yorkshire, with a floor area of 80,000m².
Northern Office
6 - 14 Bean Leach Road
Hazel Grove
Stockport Cheshire
SK7 4LD
United Kingdom
Tel: 0161 482 7900
Fax: 0161 482 7901
Email: info@nordairniche.co.uk
Southern Office
Unit 4 Chilford Court
Braintree Essex
CM7 2QS
United Kingdom
Tel: 01376 332200
Fax: 01376 332201
Email: info@nordairniche.co.uk