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Cut Warehouse Costs With Proven Commercial Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Cut Warehouse Costs With Proven Commercial Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Mar 31 2025

Warehouse operators are relentlessly pursuing smarter ways to reduce costs, increase workplace safety, and improve commercial energy efficiency. But what’s the best way to achieve this? 

As experts in commercial energy efficiency, Verde has the answers. This article shares energy efficiency upgrades that pack a dual punch: major cost savings and measurable impact.

By embracing the latest equipment, forward-thinking facilities are rewriting the playbook on sustainable operations. Keep reading to discover three key areas from real-world warehouse overhauls:

  • Networked LED lighting controls that go beyond just motion-activated sensors
  • HVAC system controls ensure existing equipment is working exactly as it should. 
  • Centralized dashboards turning data into actionable insights and putting control at your fingertips.

We’ll reveal how these innovations drive both sustainability and profitability. Let’s blueprint your warehouse energy transformation.

Advanced Lighting Solutions

Lighting is a critical component of warehouse operations, but it can also be a major source of energy consumption. Fortunately, advancements in lighting technology offer promising solutions for bottom-line-conscious warehouse operators.

LED Lighting Upgrades

One of the most impactful changes warehouses can make is upgrading to LED lighting. LED lights are highly energy-efficient, often using up to 75% less electricity than traditional lighting systems. 

This significant reduction in energy consumption translates directly to lower utility bills, allowing warehouse operators to allocate their budget to other areas.

Beyond energy savings, LED lights offer several other advantages:

  • LED high bays can last more than 100,000 hours, significantly outlasting conventional bulbs that typically need replacement every 1-2 years.
  • LED lights provide superior, uniform illumination that enhances visibility and reduces shadows, making it easier for employees to navigate the warehouse safely and efficiently.

Smart Lighting Systems

To further improve commercial energy efficiency, warehouses can implement smart lighting controls that take occupancy sensors to the next level with communication between the lights, dimming to background levels when not in use and fine tuning light levels to meet your specific task needs.. These sensors also detect when natural light is present and reduce the light output to further conserve energy.

These controls ensure energy is being spent only when it needs to be all while keeping your employees feeling safe and comfortable with lights customized to meet their needs.

Exterior of a warehouse

HVAC Upgrades for Optimal Commercial Energy Efficiency

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are another significant source of energy consumption in warehouses. Optimizing these systems can lead to substantial energy savings and improved comfort for workers.

Intelligent HVAC Systems

Modern warehouses are adding controls to their existing HVAC systems and seeing cost effective strategies pay dividends . Verde is installing a demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) system that controls the supply-fans using information delivered by advanced thermostats throughout a facility. The temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide sensors are built right into the thermostat. The advancement of having the sensors at ground level, in the occupied space, allows for more accurate reading and controlling of the environment.   

The best thing about this solution is it’s easy and cost effective. Advanced rooftop controls can be added to any existing HVAC system with a functioning integrated economizer already installed. These controls ensure that what you already have is working intelligently – reacting in real time to the needs of the occupants and ensuring your equipment only works as hard as it needs to, extending its life.

Data-Driven Climate Management

Advanced HVAC controls are now incorporating sensors and machine learning algorithms for data-driven climate management. These systems can anticipate heating and cooling needs based on weather forecasts, occupancy patterns, and historical data. The advanced thermostats will automatically adjust the mechanical equipment to maintain the temperature ahead of the occupied hours to ensure the space is ready for work as soon as your team is.

By proactively adjusting temperature settings, these systems can optimize energy use while maintaining comfortable conditions. They can also make your life a little easier with notifications if anything is abnormal as the thermostat runs heating, cooling and/or ventilation. 

Upgrading your HVAC can lead to impressive cost savings. Additionally, these upgrades may be eligible for  utility incentives. When you partner with Verde, we’ll support you through every step of the utility incentive process and beyond. 

Verde employees working on the rooftop for a commercial energy efficiency project

Equipment Management at Your Fingertips

To truly optimize energy efficiency, warehouses are turning to advanced control systems’ software apps  in order to benefit from their user-friendly interfaces that allow a level of control and customization that has previously been unthinkable. 

The value is immediately realized for organizations that maintain multiple locations that are now able to view (and control) all of their locations in a single, easy to use interface.

Real-Time Adjustments From Anywhere in the World

These systems provide facility managers a user interface that doesn’t just track and report usage but allows the user to make immediate, real time adjustments remotely. These dashboards allow warehouse managers to get granular within their facility and identify areas of concern and react with action. Many systems offer alerts and updates summarizing how the equipment is functioning regularly. 

Users can also adjust the scheduling of the equipment quickly and easily to mirror the occupied hours of their facility. This level of granular insight enables continuous optimization of energy use, leading to ongoing efficiency improvements.

Driving Down the Operating Costs

The importance of data-driven decision making and user control in energy efficiency cannot be overstated. The user control interface for advanced control systems for lighting and HVAC provide warehouse operators with the data they need to make informed decisions about energy use. 

The historical data at the facility can be analyzed to get a better idea of when energy efficiency strategies might be the most impactful. This might include identifying equipment that needs maintenance or replacement, optimizing operational schedules, or justifying investments in energy-efficient technologies.

Verde employee working on advanced lighting systems for commercial energy efficiency

Implementing Your Warehouse’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Strategy

The lessons learned from large-scale warehousing energy efficiency projects highlight the cost saving potential. With advanced lighting solutions, updated HVAC systems, and advanced controls software apps, operators can dramatically reduce their energy consumption.

These energy efficiency measures lower operational costs and contribute to a more sustainable future. As energy prices continue to rise, investing in energy efficiency is a necessity for future-proofing warehouse operations.

Discover Commercial Energy Efficiency Excellence With Verde

Ready to future-proof your warehouse’s commercial energy efficiency? Connect with Verde today for your free, personalized energy efficiency assessment.

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