Save energy & money › Agribusiness › Energy saving tips
Save energy, increase profits
Reduce input costs. Increase productivity. Get energy efficient.
As a farmer, you want to reduce your input costs and increase your outputs. Energy efficient farming practices can help you do both. Below are some practical energy saving tips that could make a big difference to your bottom line.
Energy saving tips for your farm
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Water heating
No cost options
Maintenance
Maintain your water heating systems – inspect them regularly, repair leaks and fix dripping taps.
Temperature
Set thermostats to the right temperature – overheating water is costly.
Hot wash
Reduce your dairy shed hot wash to once a day. (Check with your dairy company, MAF, or chemical rep first to ensure you can still obtain maximum milk quality.)
Low cost options
Insulation
Insulate hot water pipes. If your hot water cylinder is warm to touch, install insulation wrap.
Timers
Install timers to heat water only when required or to take advantage of off-peak pricing.
Options requiring some investment
Cylinder size
Choose the right sized hot water cylinder for the job. Place hot water cylinders in a sheltered place on the sunny side of the shed.
Heat recovery
Install a heat exchange system like Boost, which chills milk while generating hot water. Read more about Boost. -
Irrigation
No cost options
Maintenance
Inspect irrigation systems regularly – repair leaks, blockages and worn sprinklers or nozzles. Contact us for a simple five-step guide on how to check the performance of your spray irrigation system.
Gravity
Where possible use gravity-fed supply to reduce pumping needs.
Weather
Avoid irrigating in windy or very hot conditions – it’s less efficient.
Night rates
Irrigate at night to take advantage of reduced evaporation and off-peak electricity rates.
Less is more
Irrigate little and often. Use a soil moisture monitoring system to ensure soil moisture remains between stress point and field capacity.
Root system
Target irrigation at the active root zone, not below it.
Low cost options
Measure
Install water flow meters and rain gauges to measure water usage and rainfall. This will help manage your irrigation and water consents more efficiently.
Efficient motor
Upgrade to a more efficient irrigation pump motor to reduce running costs.
Pump size
Ensure pumps are the correct size and capacity for your requirements, so they are operating at their highest efficiency and you’re not paying for capacity you don’t need.
Variable speed drive
Install variable speed drives on pump motors to even out the load – especially where there are significant changes in elevation.
Options requiring some investment
Moisture monitoring
Consider installing soil moisture monitors to avoid unnecessary irrigation and identify effective irrigation patterns. See Irrigation New Zealand for information about professional services.Variable-rate irrigation
Variable-rate irrigation allows exactly the right amount of water to be applied to specific areas under a centre-pivot or linear-move irrigator, saving on water and pumping costs (providing a variable speed drive is also installed). Visit Precision Irrigation for further information. -
Lighting
No cost options
Switch off
Turn off lights when you leave the shed.
Natural light
Take advantage of natural light – use clear sheets of corrugated perspex for roofing.
Clean
Regularly clean lights – dirt and dust can reduce light output by 30%.
Low cost options
Efficient bulbs
Replace your old incandescent lights with more efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
Sensors
Install motion and daylight sensors outside lights and in low-use areas. -
Refrigeration
No cost options
Maintenance
Keep refrigeration systems well maintained – clean and repair fins, fix any leaks and worn seals, and keep condenser coils clean.
Insulation
Insulate your vat and pipes, especially those located outside.
Ventilation
Keep your refrigeration system well ventilated and located in a shady place.
Heat recovery
Install a heat exchange system like Boost, which chills milk while generating hot water. Read more about Boost. -
Mechanical equipment
No cost options
Switch off
Reduce motor idle time by identifying motors running but not in production.
Maintenance
Regularly maintain your mechanical equipment – ensure belts and chains are tensioned correctly, and keep filters clean.
Off-peak rates
Run effluent pumps at night to take advantage of off-peak rates.
Low cost options
Drive type
Investigate changing the drive type and gear ratios to reduce energy use.
Stray voltage
Increase milk production by eliminating stray voltage. Read more about stray voltage.
Options requiring some investment
Drive controls
Install control systems and variable speed drives (such as Varivac) to increase efficiency. -
Farm buildings
No cost options
Free solar power
Clean your greenhouse glass to make the most of natural solar heating.
Natural ventilation
In livestock barns, take advantage of natural ventilation.
Clean fans
Keep ventilation fans clean to increase efficiency.
Low cost options
Greenhouse seals
Increase greenhouse effectiveness by fixing broken panes and checking seals around doors, pipes and ventilators. -
Pricing plan
Visit our pricing plan page for more information about reducing your bill through co-op discounts and off-peak pricing.
We’re here to help
Meridian Energy is committed to helping you save energy and money. If you’d like to know more, contact your Meridian Account Manager or our Agribusiness Team. Phone: 0800 496 777
Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, between 7.30am and 5.30pm
Email: agribusiness@meridianenergy.co.nz
Other services we offer
- Energy Efficient Innovations – the latest products available
- Business Online – for large electricity users with a Time Of Use meter
- Tips for saving energy around the home
- Irrigation and energy efficiency advice from our dedicated team
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