How To Maximize The Energy Efficiency Of Fabric Buildings

Maximizing The Energy Efficiency Of Temporary Fabric Buildings

Facilities managers are constantly searching for new strategies for cutting costs and saving energy. Professionals report that 30 percent of the average commercial fabric building’s energy consumption is wasted due to inefficiencies. That hits the bottom line of operations. Fabric buildings provide a wide range of amenities, such as lighting and climate control options for keeping your materials protected, your crews comfortable, and your energy expenses minimized. The key to ensuring that your fabric building’s energy efficiency is maximized is to choose the right amenities and properly maintain them.

Tip 1: Enhance Your Fabric Building’s Energy Efficiency

Reducing energy costs begins with choosing the right amenities. For example, LED lights offer numerous benefits, including being an excellent energy-saving option for long-term rentals. Only about twenty-five percent of the energy used by high bay lights is used by LEDs. So as you can see, the energy savings on semi-permanent, large fabric buildings can really add up to a large amount over the lease term. In terms of climate control for semi-permanent use structures, consider having insulated steel side-walls so that energy efficiency is enhanced. Every project is different. Speak to your turnkey structure provider to find out what amenities and options are available so that you can weigh and compare the benefits and costs of each of them against your individual needs. Temporary Warehouse Structures is the leading fabric buildings provider in the nation. We are all about high-quality building structures for varying industries and occasions.

Tip 2: Determine Your Climate Control Requirements

Climate control needs will vary depending on how you will be using temporary fabric buildings and where it will be located. You will have completely different needs when using a temporary warehouse for storing equipment and materials in a temperate climate when compared to having a lunch tent that you use in the summer. Consider whether you will need to have simple air movement or HVAC for controlling humidity level and temperature. For structures that are in fairly cold or hot climates, having an HVAC system that is properly maintained will efficiently maintain the interior of the structure at optimal humidity and temperature levels. For structures that are in temperate climate locations, the ideal cooling option is large ceiling fans. Compared to an HVAC system, they use less energy and a 20′ fan. The majority of structures will cool the interior around 6-8 degrees. If you are concerned about humidity, simple ventilation will help to keep an appropriate moisture level in the interior.

Tip: Perform Routine Maintenance

The key to maximizing your amenities energy efficiency is simply routine maintenance, especially for your temporary structure’s HVAC system. Your fabric buildings provider should give you replacement filters that go with your HVAC system. These filters should be changed every month. That might not seem like a huge deal, however, dust and dirt particles that are in the air can clog your filter up quickly, which can cause your system to either completely fail or run inefficiently. When the filter is clogged a pressure is created that forces dust into various mechanical and electrical components in the HVAC system. That can cause systems to malfunction and affect your energy bill. Your system will need to work hard in order to move air but only make small changes to the air temperature, which will also force the system to keep running for a longer period of time (and often on a continuous basis), and more energy will be used. Operating HVAC is similar to running your car. When your car is set on cruise control, the best gas mileage is achieved. However, when you slam on the breaks and press on the gas, your engine has to work harder, and more fuel is used. In a similar fashion, when your HVAC unit has to work harder, it uses more energy. One of the main benefits of leasing fabric buildings is your structure provider will take care of any maintenance issues that arise on your leased equipment. For more insight on our portable fabric buildings and commonly asked questions check out our FAQS.

Tip 4: Save Energy By Just Closing The Door

Although it might sound too simple, make sure your doors are kept closed whenever you are running air or heat. In busy facilities, it can be very easy to forget to keep doors closed when running climate control amenities. Remember that when doors are left open, you are paying to cool or heat outside air. Good facilities managers continuously look for ways to get rid of any energy “vampires” that are unnecessarily draining the facilities budget of the company. The size of your structure, how long you are planning on using it, and climate are all major factors in selecting the right amenities that will meet your needs. The key to minimizing the waste of energy is simple maintenance. Work with an experienced provider who you can trust will recommend the best-customized options for you.