Cold storage businesses eat up a lot of energy every year. Cold storage companies spend more than $30 billion on energy every year, and they have the third-highest industrial energy requirements. Many cold storage business owners adopt new technologies for energy efficiency. One solution is to improve energy efficiency in cold storage with specialized doors engineered for cold storage applications.
Cold Storage Doors Can Improve Energy Efficiency
Increased energy costs have caused numerous companies to invest in technologies to improve efficiency. One extremely effective solution for thermal efficiency is to ensure you have the proper doors for your application. Cold storage doors are designed to address problems unique to the cold storage industry and the challenges they face daily.
Reduce Energy Loss
Proper high performance cold storage doors in your facility can significantly reduce energy loss from thermal radiation. Doors with high R-values are better insulators and lose less energy from thermal loss. Old doors made from outdated materials can allow for excessive thermal transfer, requiring your cooling system to work harder to maintain a low-temperature environment. Modern cold storage facility doors feature efficient insulation and materials that reduce energy losses and subsequent costs.
Operational Efficiency
Cold storage facilities need to open and close to transport goods in and out. Old doors can be slow when opening, leaving more time for air infiltration and thermal transfer. High performance doors contain efficiency measures to cycle much faster, reducing the time that stored goods are exposed to warmer air. Faster opening and closing speeds also allow for smoother operating conditions, allowing maximum productivity.
Less Air Infiltration
One of the major causes of inefficiency in refrigeration systems is leakage. Old doors with worn-down seals can allow hot air to leak into interior components, causing issues. The greater the air infiltration, the harder your refrigeration system equipment must work to maintain proper temperatures. High performance doors have tighter seals that keep air in and make systems more efficient. Reducing air leaking also reduces the risk of spoilage and contamination.
Reliability
The more reliable your cold storage doors are, the more your facility can keep up with precise shipping schedules and product demand. By implementing high performance doors that have a proven track record of protecting valuable temperature-dependent goods, you have peace of mind that your facility will run smoothly. The additional benefit of minimal wear items means less maintenance and downtime.
Safety
Your cold storage doors must provide a safe environment for workers. Our high performance door solutions contain a wide range of safety feature options, such as motion sensors, stop and reverse panel monitoring, photo eyes, and breakaway functionality. Advanced integrated safety features protect valuable workers, equipment, and product, reducing a facility’s operational costs.
How to Choose Energy Efficient Doors for Cold Storages
If you are not familiar with refrigeration system specifications, it can be difficult to know how to select the proper door for maximum effectiveness. Below are some characteristics to keep in mind when identifying a door solution for your facility.
Door Style
The first step is identifying the right door style for your facility. ASI Doors offers a wide range of door types for cold storage of all sizes, including:
- Hinged Doors
- Sliding Doors
- Roll-Up Doors
- Flexible Panel Doors
- Bi-Parting Doors
The type of doors you choose depends on your needs. For example, hinged doors are useful for manual operation and foot traffic; while sliding and roll-up doors are better for bulk transportation with equipment like forklifts. The right choice of door can help energy efficiency by ensuring proper control when accessing the refrigerated area.
Temperature Range
The next most important consideration is temperature ranges. Different materials are suited for different temperature ranges. Using a door with improper ranges is bad for energy management and energy savings. Your specific facility may require supplemental accessories to properly manage the temperatures and the temperature differentials.
Activation
Choosing the right kind of door activation can reduce energy usage and lower the overall energy spend. Common activation modes include motion sensors, pushbuttons, pressure sensors, and pulling cords. The right activation solutions can help minimize air infiltration, improve operational efficiency, and realize productivity gains.
Contact ASI Doors for Expert Guidance
Finding the right cold storage doors can save on energy costs by making your operation more efficient. Given the negative consequences of excessive energy consumption, energy efficiency in cold storage is in high demand. If you would like to learn more about how our door systems can help your facility, contact us at (800) 558-7068 or sales@asidoors.com.