Warehousing and transport is the UK’s fastest growing industry since Brexit. The online shopping boom and the Covid pandemic have accelerated this trend across the UK. In February 2020, online purchases accounted for 19% of total retail sales, rising to 38% in January 2021.
With Industrial and Warehouse take up increasing to 55.1 million sq ft in 2021, combining both new build and existing buildings, the concept of how to keep warehouse staff warm in the current energy crisis, is a key conversation topic. There are currently two different thoughts on this… Warm the whole warehouse? Or warm the staff only?
With the current energy crisis, the cost of heating a warehouse has become very expensive. Most warehouses have high roof heights, so with hot air rising, a lot of energy is required to keep the team on the ground warm. It the roof or ceiling is not insulated, then keeping the staff on the ground warm can be an almost impossible task if the hot air is leaking out of the roof.
Traditional warehouse heating includes Gas powered hot air blowers, roof mounted radiant heaters, gas or electrically powered air handling units and hot water radiator fed systems. However, these methods often use a lot of energy and also require regular servicing. Warehouse Heating apparatus that are located at height will require access equipment (often costing in excess of £500 per day) and two engineers to work at height to resolve any issues.
Alternatively, warehouse operators and manufacturers have moved to the option of heating the person, rather than the air around them. This therefore focusses the heat in one confined location, reducing the need to heat the whole warehouse.
The Law in the UK:
Whilst there’s currently no law in the UK for minimum or maximum temperatures, during working hours the temperature must be ‘reasonable’. The current guidance suggests a minimum of 16ºC (or 13 ºC if employees are doing physical work). Employers must stick to health and safety at work law, which includes keeping the temperature at a comfortable level.
Productivity:
Recent research suggests a direct link between cold temperatures and low productivity, especially in environments where you are sat or stood in a static position. For example, if an employee is working at a packing station and having to wear gloves to keep their hands warm, they will be less efficient packing boxes, adding labels and sealing packages, because the gloves will restrict them.
Wellness:
The ability to choose your own working temperature and keep warm improves and employee’s wellness. It also reduces the chances of clod stress disorders from working in cold environments.
Staff Retention:
Many warehouse staff seek alternative employment during the cold months, if heating isn’t provided. This is often around the Winter peak periods when online retail, food and fulfilment businesses are in their peak period. Keeping staff warm can improve employee retention.
In our recent videos Energy Saving Comparison to other heaters and Energy savings of £30,000 per month compared to other heaters
Most electrical fan heaters operate at 2,000 Watts, which at the Sept 2022 business electricity average of £0.80 per kwh, would cost £13.25 per day to run (8 hours use). This totals £265.07 per month, working Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for running 1x Electrical Fan Heater.
If the business is a 24/7 operation, then this would cost £39.75 per day, and £1,192.50 per month in electricity to run 1x Electrical Fan Heater.
There are two key advantages, which include:
There are four key disadvantages, which include:
Many radiant lamp heaters or infrared lamp heaters operate 3,000 Watts, which at the Sept 2022 business electricity average of £0.80 per kwh, would cost £19.09 per day to run (8 hours use). This totals £381.87 per month, working Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for running 1x Radiant Lamp Heater / Infrared Lamp Heater.
If the business is a 24/7 operation, then this would cost £57.27 per day, and £1,718.10 per month in electricity to run 1x Radiant Lamp Heater / Infrared Lamp Heater.
There are two key advantages, which include:
There are three key disadvantages, which include:
WarmTronics Heat Mats operate 220 Watts, which at the Sept 2022 business electricity average of £0.80 per kwh, would cost £1.36 per day to run (8 hours use). This totals £27.20 per month, working Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for running 1x WarmTronics Heat Mat.
If the business is a 24/7 operation, then this would cost £4.08 per day, and £128.40 per month in electricity to run 1x WarmTronics Heat Mat.
There are four key advantages, which include:
There is one key disadvantage:
Comparison:
The below table compares the three warehouse or industrial heaters discussed above, based on a Sept 2022 business electricity average of £0.80 per kwh, for a 24/7 business.
| Heater | Average Purchase Price (excl. VAT) | Electricity Cost Per Day | Electricity Cost Per Month> |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Fan Heater | £20.00 | £39.75 | £1,192.50 |
| Radiant Lamp Heater / Infrared Heater | £350.00 | £57.27 | £1,718.10 |
| WarmTronics Heat Mat | £657.00 | £4.08 | £128.40 |
Please see our graph comparing the three warehouse or industrial heaters discussed above, based on a Sept 2022 business electricity average of £0.80 per kwh, for a 24/7 business. The capital cost of the heater has been added to the Week 1 amount and the weekly figures are cumulative.
Based on these calculations, in a 24/7 business, a WarmTronics Heat Mat will pay for itself with 1 Week compared to a Radiant Lamp Heater, and within 3 Weeks compared to an Electrical Fan Heater.
