Why your grow facility needs a good MEP engineering partner

With more states joining the movement to legalize or decriminalize cannabis, business is booming. The value of the cannabis industry is projected to reach nearly $30 billion by 2025—and that estimate only includes states where cannabis is currently legal. Growers looking to expand their cannabis growth capabilities in an indoor grow facility aren’t alone. With all the variables that can impact cannabis production – lighting, temperature and humidity control, to name a few – we know there’s a lot that has to happen behind the scenes to ensure a high-quality crop. That’s why you need a good MEP engineering partner by your side to help guide the design of your facility.

Here are a few reasons why.

Optimize your product

An MEP can give you the systems and controls that enable you to grow a consistent product every single time. By implementing facility customization capabilities, from the vegetation room to the drying room, every detail of your product will be cohesive with your goals. Looking to modify the THC level in your plant? Your MEP partner will help you find the best lighting to meet that goal. With the high-level technology available in grow facilities, changes can be quickly adapted for successful product outcomes.

Avoid growing pains

Depending on your growing methods, you might not be accustomed to the advanced technology of growth facilities—and that’s OK. For years, cannabis cultivation has been concealed, and outdoor growth practices have been tailored to external growth factors like weather. When trying to get a new facility up and running as swiftly as possible, growers often cut themselves short. With a trusted MEP partner, you’ll avoid these growing pains. Your MEP partner should be ahead of industry trends and aware of commonly encountered errors in indoor growth facility projects.

Focus on long-term outcomes

When investing in your facility up-front, you’ll see a bigger payoff in the future. A good MEP partner will meet your economic capabilities while still finding solutions to meet your needs. With your best interests in mind throughout the process, your MEP partner should ensure your facility has the precise equipment capacity you need. Preparing for cost and investing up-front will decrease the chance of errors. One of the biggest issues in grow facilities is having equipment that cannot appropriately handle the high latent load in the space (in other words, it can’t provide enough dehumidification). When problems such as uncontrolled humidity levels arise due to equipment selection error, there is nothing to fall back on, potentially impacting both the quantity and quality of production. With an initial investment that accounts for correctly sized equipment, money can be saved elsewhere, and product waste can be avoided.

Control your grow facility environment

While conventional growing methods may be effective for small-scale operations, they do not account for a variety of external factors that decrease profits and lead to problems. The right MEP partner knows that consistency is key. While external lighting, temperature and humidity levels can vary, conditions in your indoor facility can be manipulated at any time so you can optimize your product. With the right partner, you’ll be able to fine-tune your growing needs to fit your goals.

In your search for an MEP partner, keep your specific needs in mind and look for a trusted, industry-savvy expert. With the right partner, you can exceed your grow facility expectations. Ready to take your cannabis growth to the next level? Dialectic Engineering is here to help.

Robert Harris, PE, LEED AP BD+C is Dialectic Engineering’s VP, Senior Architectural Engineer. Founded in 1988, Dialectic is a 100% employee-owned, nontraditional mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm. Recognized as one of Kansas City’s Best Places to Work in 2020, Dialectic brings buildings to life across a broad range of verticals, including distribution, multifamily, retail/restaurants, cannabis, entertainment, senior living, hospitality and charter schools/higher education. Learn more at dialecticeng.com.