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Your farm can use less energy if you are aware
of ways to maximize the efficiency of your equipment.
Here are our tips:
Efficiency on your farm all starts with a good
wiring system. You also need good equipment and
good maintenance, along with timely repairs of
equipment. Our specific suggestions, below, are
ranked in usefulness according to a three-star
system.
Dairy Equipment
- Barn Cleaner
Maintain proper belt tension and pulley alignment.
Clean whenever needed, which may be monthly
in some livestock environments. Use oil sparingly.
Avoid overloading.
- Barn Lighting
Efficient lighting can save up to 3000 kWh on
a 30-cow farm, 5800 kWh on a 60-cow farm, 43,400
kWh on a 200-cow farm, or 81,000 kWh on a 400-cow
farm.
Regularly turn off lights when they are not
needed.
Light only work areas, rather than entire buildings.
Switching to fluorescent lighting provides significant
savings.
Keep lamps, tubes, reflectors and lenses clean.
Consider fluourescent lighting instead of incandescent
lighting.
Install mercury vapor or sodium vapor lamps
for large exterior or high-bay interior areas.
- Barn Ventilation
Efficient ventilation can save up to 1700 kWh
on a 30-cow farm or 2250 kWh on a 60-cow farm.
The savings for 200- and 400-cow farms are minimal
because these usually use free-stall barns with
natural ventilation.
When rooms or buildings need both heat and ventilation,
check thermostats frequently to assure efficient
operation. Keep the controls clean.
- Dairy Water Heater
Efficient
water heaters can save up to 4900 kWh on a 30-cow
farm, 7800 kWh on a 60-cow farm, 7500 kWh on
a 200-cow farm, or 12,000 kWh on a 400-cow farm.
- Feed Mill
Add rodent guards to open motors and keep motors
clean for efficient use and longer life.
- Milk Cooler
Efficient milk coolers can save up to 3800 kWh
on a 60-cow farm, 12,000 kWh on a 200-cow farm,
or 23,500 kWh on a 400-cow farm.
Use reclaimed heat from bulk coolers for heating
water.
- Milking Machine
Efficient vacuum pumps can save up to 1700 kWh
on a 30-cow farm, 2500 kWh on a 60-cow farm,
7200 kWh on a 200-cow farm, or 17,000 kWh on
a 400-cow farm.
- Silo Unloader
Avoid overloading and follow manufacturer's
instructions.
Hog Operation Equipment
- Heat Lamp
Change to lower wattage heat lamps during summer
months.
Avoid long drop cords and poor connections.
Check and adjust lamp heights for maximum efficiency
and safety.
- Heat Pad
Keep mats as clean as possible.
- Ventilation
When rooms or buildings need both heat and ventilation,
check thermostats frequently to assure efficient
operation. Keep the controls clean.
Grain Dryer Equipment
- Grain Dryer
Keep
grain free of dirt and chaff.
Inspect drying floor and related facilities
regularly to assure free airflow.
Avoid overdrying by checking moisture content
frequently.
- Motor (grain augers)
Fit your motor size to the size of your job.
Avoid both oversizing and undersizing your motor.
Inspect motors regularly. Clean them as needed.
Get energy-efficient motors when purchasing
new motors.
Poultry Equipment
- Cleaning/Collecting
Stagger operate or rotate use of multi-motor
operations.
- Feeding Motors
Small horsepower conveyors are more efficient
than large high-volume motors operating for
short periods of time.
- Lighting
Regularly turn off lights when they are not
needed.
Light only work areas, rather than entire buildings.
Keep lamps, tubes, reflectors and lenses clean.
Consider fluourescent lighting instead of incandescent
lighting.
Install mercury vapor or sodium vapor lamps
for large exterior or high-bay interior areas.
- Processing
Be sure that controls allow proper cycling of
the cool storage system.
In egg-packing and other areas, dehumidification
can be accomplished with a heat pump or by adding
a heat recovery system to the air conditioning
system. The reclaimed heat can be used for the
water heating system.
- Ventilation
When rooms or buildings need both heat and ventilation,
check thermostats frequently to assure efficient
operation. Keep the controls clean.
Water
- Water Heater
Set water heater thermostat as low as possible
(while still meeting sanitation requirements),
but not less than 120 degrees.
If hot water is not needed for long periods
of time, turn electricity to heating elements
off.
Repair all leaky faucets promptly.
- Water Pump
Be sure that your system does not water log.
More frequent cycling of the pump results in
pumping the same gallons of water multiples
times.
Keep the pressure system in good shape, with
no leaky fittings on joints.
- Water Stock Tank Heater
Check water temperature monthly and adjust thermostat
to a point just below freezing. A higher temperature
is unnecessary.
Seal all openings around waterer base to reduce
cold air infiltration. Install covers and windbreakers
around waterers.
Don't use large tanks and float type heaters
because they are very inefficient.
Disconnect electric heating elements during
non-winter months. Drain those that are not
in use.
Yard Lighting
- Yard Lighting (dusk to dawn)
Install mercury vapor or sodium vapor lamps
for large exterior or high-bay interior areas.
Use sodium vapor instead of mercury vapor for
a significant savings.
Miscellaneous
- Air compressor
Select the right size motor for the compressor.
- Engine Heater (tractor or truck)
Install a timer to reduce operating time.
- Fence
Unplug when not in use. Keep wire clear of possible
grounding.
- Grain Elevator
Maintain proper belt tension and pulley alignment.
- Motor
Fit your motor size to the size of your job.
Avoid both oversizing and undersizing your motor.
Clean refrigerating condenser coils and ventilation
fan blades and shutters monthly to avoid overloading
and overheating.
Locate motors in coolest, cleanest and driest
environment possible.
Inspect motors regularly. Clean them as needed
(this may be monthly in livestock applications).
Get energy-efficient motors when purchasing
new motors.
- Tool Grinder
Lubricate regularly with use. Don't overload
the motor.
- Welder
Operate from separate shop outlet and avoid
using long drop cords.
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