Saving Energy Around the Farmstead

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1 Saving Energy Around the Farmstead Farm Energy Use Farming Operations use 2% of energy in U.S. On average farm energy = 14-15% of costs The cheapest energy is that we don t use Why Reduce Energy Use? Reduce costs Reduce dependence on fossil fuels Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Outdoor Lighting Dusk to Dawn yard lights Generally on about 12 hrs Typically mercury vapor Power use = roughly 800 to 900 kwh/year Change fixture/light & hood type could save ½ -⅔ Special reflector = 47% more light reaching ground From University of Wisconsin Biological Systems Engineering Outdoor Lighting Low pressure sodium Highest lumen per watt output Distinct yellow color limits use High pressure sodium Not as efficient as low-pressure sodium Much improved light color Metal halide lamps Best Light Quality Preferred light source for outdoor sports activities Mercury Vapor Incandescent ENERGY EFF FICENCY Outdoor Lighting Use different controllers to increase efficiency Half-night Motion sensors Time clock Photocell Wall switch From University of Wisconsin Biological Systems Engineering Grove, MO 1

2 Shop Energy Strategies Ceiling or no ceiling Ceilings reduce building volume by 20 to 25 percent or more Insulated ceilings take 15 percent less insulation than roof Insulate walls, ceiling, floor, foundation Recommended R value * o 15 to 20 in walls o 25 to 30 in ceilings (not enough for N Missouri!!) o 10 for doors o 10 to 12 for foundations, 24 deep More insulation = higher construction but lower energy $ Plastic under shop floor to prevent moisture buildup Natural lighting Some recommended Limit windows, skylights o They allow heat loss or gain o Construction/installation costly o Use double glazed windows Types of lighting Select for intensity, color & efficiency o Farm shop - general repair 50 foot-candles* o At floor area 20 foot-candles o Office 50 foot-candles at desk top* o Greater intensity over work benches * North Dakota State University *University of Wisconsin Extension Types of lighting continued University of Wisconsin Extension Compressors Check for leaks in air lines Use timer to shut off at night Shop for best motor HP to air volume efficiency Motors 220 volt vs 110 volt option for single phase Only savings in power use is cooler running motor It s a myth that wiring 220 vs 110 saves significant power Select best running amps vs HP HVAC Geothermal most energy efficient Consider floor heat/cool Maintain lower winter temperature re until using Maintain higher summer temperature until using Consider zone heat/cool Used oil, wood, corn, pellet or radiant heat Are there other temperature modification options Office Use energy efficient lights Florescent uses about 75% less energy than incandescent Reduce air leaks into the shop Fit doors tightly Face large doors south or east Minimize windows, doors on north & west Use insulated/energy efficient doors & windows Motion sensor or timer for lights Shut down power tools when not in use Grove, MO 2

3 Other Farmstead Energy Savings Windbreaks Can reduce energy costs as much as 40 % * Provides more comfortable working conditions in winter Utilize farmstead planning for new sites Building arrangement could offer energy benefit Less travel to & from facilities Consider solar for: Electric fences Watering systems Machinery storage Well house *University of Missouri Extension Guide 5900 Saving Energy Around the Farmstead Finale Living within means Suppose you had an energy ration Could you make changes/sacrifices to operate within it? Could you find other options to substitute? Could you do without? Invest in energy reduction rather than biggest, best looking, greatest or most powerful Build green Other Energy Saving Opportunities Fuel storage Shaded Painted light color Use pressure-relief vacuum caps rather than conventional gas caps Inspect for leaks Grain handling, storage, drying Confinement facilities Small farm enterprises (where can energy be saved?) Fruit Vegetable Pastured/range poultry, swine, goats, sheep, etc. Residential Energy Saving Do An Energy Audit Grove, MO 3

4 Save energy now Low Initial Cost Energy saving methods Low initial cost Moderate initial cost Significant initial cost Re-level blown-in attic insulation Insulate attic access door Replace/clean furnace filter every 1-3 months Clean refrigerator coils; remove frost from freezers Annual inspection of furnace Keep lights clean; shut off when not in use Leave South-facing windows curtains open in winter and closed in summer to collect or prevent solar heat gain. Insulate Water Heater and set thermostat to 120 Low Initial Cost Set ceiling fans appropriate flow mode Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents Outlet insulation Caulk Weather-strip Summer Winter Lighting Watt = amount of energy used Lumen = amount of light produced CFLs vs. Incandescent Cost 4X more; 1/4th as much to use Last 10X longer Incandescent Fluorescent Bulb Light Output Bulb (watts) (watts) (lumens) Lighting Buying Information energy gov/ Grove, MO 4

5 LED Lights for Christmas Tree Type of Light Electricity Cost Standard C $27.21 watts each Mini Incandescent 300 bulbs watts each LED 280 watts $0.61 each Installing Outlet Insulators 1. Before 2. Cover removed 3. Gasket to install 4. Gasket installed 5. Cover replaced & plugs added Weatherize Against Infiltration More low-cost ways to save energy Caulk at ANY joint or penetration to the exterior. Wiring, pipe & duct penetrations in attic, under floor & through walls Caulking where dissimilar materials meet Weatherstripping doors, windows & sills Vapor barriers 20 GPD evaporates from crawl space into air of 1400 sq.ft. home Install 4-6 mil plastic on warm-in-winter side Personal attitude & behavior Wear layered warm clothes indoors during winter Take short showers instead of baths Regulate windows & doors (train kids) For more energy saving tips, contact: Missouri Department of Natural Resources at or on the Web at Grove, MO 5

6 Moderate Initial Cost Energy-saving (programmable) thermostats ($50-$100) Repair Ductwork Put tight-fitting doors on open fireplaces Replace fireplace with wood stove Landscaping Programmable Thermostats Are more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats and: Improve comfort Contain no mercury Save energy and money on utility bills Winter: Set heating unit to 68 F max. (63 F night-time) 3% more energy use per degree increase Summer: Set air conditioning to 78 F min. 8% more energy use per degree decrease Repair Ductwork Install tight fitting fireplace doors Ducts might need repair and sealing when: Rooms are too warm or too cold High summer and winter utility bills Little or no air flow from registers in some rooms Air filter gets dirty quickly Streaks of dust at registers or duct connections No insulation on visible ducts (attic or crawl space) Flexible ducts are tangled or kinked Significant Initial Cost Add insulation to walls and ceiling Replace / add ventilation systems Replace doors and windows with NFRC-rated ones Replace air conditioners and heating systems with Energy Star-rated ones Alternative Energy producers Tractors and Equipment Tractors & equipment(may be covered in other presentation) Radials Proper inflation Proper ballast Gear-up, throttle-down Match tractor to implement Timer on engine heater [2008] Testing and tuning engines Test injection pumps Test injectors Install fuel meter Install clean filters (oil, fuel, hydraulic, air) Shut off idling engines Grove, MO 6

7 Questions MU: An equal opportunity/ada institution Grove, MO 7