Energy saving advice for the agriculture sector

Our friends at The Carbon Trust offer great energy saving advice for the agriculture sector. Check out these no cost and low-cost tips that could help you save on your electricity costs:

Pig farming

• Clean fans and air ducts – dirt can reduce fan efficiency by 60%

• Draught-proof doors and windows to stop heat escaping

• Fit accurate heating and ventilation controls as over ventilating heating rooms can double heating costs

• Pre-soak buildings that are to be power washed – this can save 20% in energy costs and labour

• Ensure that air ducts allow the smooth passage of air – battens and obstructions can decrease efficiency by 20%

• Check insultation levels – minimum of 75mm extruded polystyrene should be installed

• Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs and replace tungsten halogen floodlights with high pressure sodium lights

• Switch off all lights (including fluorescents) when not required
   

Poultry farming

• Clean fans and air ducts – dirt can reduce fan efficiency by 60%

• Draught-proof doors and windows to stop heat escaping

• Fit accurate heating and ventilation controls as over-ventilating heated rooms can double heating costs

• Fit air circulation fans – use ‘free’ heat from roof ridges which can be 10ºC higher than at floor level

• Ensure that air ducts allow the smooth passage of air – battens and obstructions can decrease efficiency by 20%

• Check insulation levels – minimum of 75mm extruded polystyrene should be installed

• Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs and replace tungsten halogen floodlights with high pressure sodium lights

• Switch off all lights (including fluorescents) when not required
   

Dairy farming

• Clean condenser coils to ensure heat can dissipate easily

• Ensure condenser coils are out of direct sunlight and well ventilated if indoors

• Lag all water pipes and tanks

• Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs and replace tungsten halogen floodlights with high pressure sodium lights

• Fit a heat exchanger to pre-cool the milk – this can reduce cooling costs by up to 50%

• Switch off all lights (including fluorescents) when not required

Crop stores

• Seal the building – pay special attention to service inlets, louvres and doors

• Fit door curtains or automatic doors

• Check insulation levels – minimum of 80mm extruded polystyrene should be installed

• In refrigerated stores switch the refrigeration system off when store traffic is busy           

• Clean condenser coils regularly to ensure that the heat can dissipate easily

• Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs and replace tungsten halogen floodlights with high pressure sodium lights

• Switch off all lights (including fluorescents) when not required

Further help

If you would like more energy saving advice for the agriculture sector, check out the Carbon Trust's guide.

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