Fans transform humid Nashville warehouse

It’s hard to keep a 200,000-square-foot warehouse a comfortable temperature, and copier and printer manufacturer Ricoh USA’s parts center was no exception. The Nashville facility’s east-west orientation captured heat from direct sunlight in the mornings and evenings, compounding the sweltering humidity that bogged down workers in the summer. In the winter, heat from the overhead units rose to the ceiling, failing to warm the employees working at the ground level. After installing a series of fans throughout the facility, the company cut energy prices while improving employee comfort.

Facility managers knew air conditioning wouldn’t be cost-effective in a space with 40-foot ceilings and two massive dock doors that constantly open and close. They installed several standard overhead fans and two roof ventilation units, but the results were disappointing. The fans created so little airflow that the ventilators couldn’t draw the hottest air out of the building.

Ricoh installed 10 new fans, all 24 feet (Big Ass Fans, bigassfans.com): three on the receiving dock, three on the shipping dock and four above the central warehouse floor. In summer, increased air movement makes employees feel up to 10 degrees cooler, and the enhanced circulation pushes hot air out of the facility through the ceiling ventilators. In winter, the fans are slowed to push hot air trapped at the ceiling down to floor level, keeping employees warm. Throughout the year, the fans create energy savings of up to 30%.

“It was a no-brainer. The sales team understood the problems we faced and worked hard to find the best placement for our fans,” says Jeff Robataille, director of field operations for Ricoh. “Everyone loves the fans, and they always comment on them. The fans we had before couldn’t compare, and we’re just thrilled with the difference the new ones have made.”