The 90-day warehouse energy tune up. Fast wins your team can deliver

You’re under pressure to keep trucks moving, keep people safe, and still bring the energy bill down.

The good news? A quarter is enough to show real progress without ripping out equipment or signing off big spend. This plan gives your team clear, hands-on tasks that trim kWh and build momentum.

How the 90-day tune-up works

Think “little and often”. Short weekly routines, a handful of low-cost add-ons, and a simple scoreboard. Start by setting a baseline, then phase in quick wins that don’t disrupt operations. Keep what works; adjust what doesn’t. That’s the same Plan-Do-Check-Act rhythm used in ISO 50001.

Baseline first (Weeks 1–2)

Give the team a starting line and a way to see progress.

Do this:

• Log weekly main meter reads (same day/time).
• Pick one or two energy performance indicators (EnPIs), e.g. kWh per pallet moved or kWh per m², so performance stays fair when output changes.
• Add a couple of low-cost sub-meters for high-draw circuits (lighting rows, compressors, heaters) to see where effort pays back.
• Put results on a simple chart that anyone on shift can update.

Why it works: ISO 50001 pairs baselines with EnPIs so you can compare like-for-like and show improvement over time. Sub-metering and basic aM&T tools make waste visible and easier to target.

Smart lighting controls (Days 1–30)

Most warehouses already have LEDs. The win now is run-time control.

Do this:

• Fit occupancy sensors on aisles with intermittent use; daylight sensors near dock doors and roof lights.
• Zone long aisles so lamps don’t all fire at once.
• Set conservative time-outs and trim levels, then fine-tune after a week of feedback.
• Add weekend/night shut-down checks to the supervisor’s walk-round.

Why it works: Occupancy and daylight controls cut hours of unnecessary burn time and are widely recommended by Carbon Trust lighting guidance and warehouse advice.

Destratification: mix the warm air (Days 31–60)

In high-bay spaces, warm air collects at the roof while people feel the chill at floor level. Destratification fans (including HVLS types) push that heat back down so heaters can throttle back.

Do this:

• Measure top-to-bottom temperatures during a cold morning; if the difference is >2–3°C, you have an opportunity.
• Run destrat fans on low to even out temperatures; set thermostats a notch lower once comfort stabilises.
• Focus on high-bay zones and picking areas where people feel it most.

Why it works: Industry notes and modelling show destratification can reduce space-heating energy in tall buildings by mixing air and cutting heat loss at roof level; real outcomes vary by height and heater type, but the mechanism is well established.

Compressed-air leak hunt (Days 31–90)

Leaks are quiet energy thieves.

Do this:

• Schedule a weekly “listen & tag” round during a low-noise window; mark leaks and log them.
• Use an ultrasonic detector when you can, but many leaks can be found by ear and soapy water.
• Fix easy wins first: couplings, hoses, drains, valve stems.
• Re-check after fixes and keep a running total of leaks eliminated.

Why it works: Studies show poorly maintained systems can lose 20–30% of compressor output to leaks; well-run plants aim for losses under 10%. A simple find-fix routine quickly turns the tide.

Loading-bay discipline (Days 45–90)

Open doors = open cheque book. Every minute a bay sits open, warm air escapes and cold air drops onto the floor.

Do this:

• Set a door-open time limit and back it with a visible countdown or alarm.
• Check and repair dock seals/curtains; replace torn fabric and crushed foam.
• Add lightweight strip curtains where seals don’t fit irregular trailers.
• Sweep and maintain thresholds so doors close fully.

Why it works: Dock seals and shelters cut infiltration by closing the gap between trailer and building; some building codes even require them because the savings are well recognised.

Keep score and keep people involved

Share a weekly scoreboard: last week’s kWh, EnPIs, and three tiny wins the team delivered. Celebrate the quiet fixes, like resetting a sensor, replacing a hose and closing a gap. It builds pride and keeps the tune-up rolling. Carbon Trust’s warehousing guidance backs this kind of low-cost, management-led approach.

Your 90-day checklist (summary)

• Weeks 1–2: Baseline, EnPIs, add sub-meters, put up the scoreboard.
• Days 1–30: Sensors for aisles and daylight zones; tighten time-outs and zoning.
• Days 31–60: Destrat fans in high-bay areas; reset thermostats once temperatures even out.
• Days 31–90: Weekly air-leak rounds and fixes; aim for <10% leak losses.
• Days 45–90: Door-open limits; repair/fit seals and curtains; maintain thresholds.

Need a hand?

We can help your warehouse energy tune-up, looking at prioritising quick, low-cost wins and keeping momentum. Get in touch and we’ll talk through your site and agree the next best steps with your ops team.