Electrical Energy

To reduce the amount of electricity required by a lumber kiln, it is essential that the heating system is clean and that the air sealing components are in good condition.

Minimizing the pressure drop across the heating coils requires that they remain free of contaminants. Cleaning by means of dry ice blasting every three years may be necessary, depending on the type of material being dried.

Deposits also tend to accumulate on the fan impellers, causing imbalance that increases wear on motors and bearings.

Effective air sealing is critical for reducing the electrical energy demand. This is because air naturally follows the path of least resistance; with poor sealing, it will bypass the lumber stack rather than flow through it. In such cases, up to 70% of the airflow may be lost due to recirculation inefficiencies.