High-Speed Doors Save Heating/Cooling Energy

Energy Crisis Guide, Nov. 2001

By Albany International -- Plant Engineering, 11/1/2001

With today's energy shortages and skyrocketing utility costs, something as simple as closing doors efficiently can mean substantial savings.

According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers-handbook: "Heat gain from infiltration air and associated equipment loads can amount to more than half the total refrigeration load of distribution warehouses and similar applications."

This means that more than 50% of cold storage energy cost results from the need to cool warm air that has infiltrated the refrigerated area.

Energy loss not only happens in cold storage applications, but in any facility that has doorways between areas and buildings. When air flows between areas that have different temperatures and moisture content, energy loss can be considerable. Albany high-speed doors help eliminate energy losses by reducing the time an opening between rooms is exposed to direct airflow. With super-fast opening and closing speeds of up to 100 in. per second, Albany doors allow traffic in a plant to move quickly with minimal air infiltration between spaces. Its doors close automatically on a pre-set timer to eliminate human error and ensure that an opening is sealed immediately.

Albany Rapid Roll® doors are engineered with seals for nearly airtight enclosure. The seals protect the full height and width of an opening. Albany's patented bottom edge provides an excellent seal and will conform to uneven floor surfaces.

When calculating the annual cost of lost energy, it is important to consider the volume of conditioned air that escapes during plant operation. Albany's free Audit helps determine this cost by evaluating a variety of factors, including wind speeds, door sizes, door cycles per year, temperature differences, and the cost of energy. Call 1-800-Albany1 for a free energy savings calculation.