Energy efficiency on your farm
Every New Zealand farm uses electricity. Around two thirds of our electricity is generated from renewable sources such as hydro. The remainder is generated by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas which emit the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. To reduce these emissions, we need to think about conserving energy (using less) and being more energy efficient.
What is energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency means using energy wisely - in other words using less energy to perform the same task. For example, using energy efficient lightbulbs and appliances or regularly servicing and tuning all farm vehicles means less energy is used to achieve the same outcome.
Why be more energy efficient
- It makes economic sense to use less energy to achieve the same outcome. Energy efficient practices will save you money on your power bill and fuel costs.
- Improved energy efficiency is better for the environment - using less energy reduces the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
- New Zealand relies on its 'clean, green' image to market its products. Consumers, particularly in overseas markets, are demanding sustainable production systems that incorporate energy efficiency.
- An emissions charge (on CO2), to be introduced in 2007, will increase energy costs.
- It's healthier - for example, good insulation means homes are warmer and more comfortable.
Low or no-cost ways of improving your energy efficiency
Irrigation
- Monitor and track water use with a meter.
- Use a soil moisture sensor or a professional service to schedule your irrigation applications.
- Correctly match the pump to the system requirements, rather than throttling a system with a gate valve.
- Irrigate little and often - do not irrigate below the active root zone.
Electricity
- Turn off lights, appliances and computers when you're not using them.
- Replace the light bulbs in your most frequently used lights with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (available from supermarkets or hardware stores).
- Make sure you switch off equipment on 'stand-by' (with display lights and clocks visible) such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, stereos & microwaves at the wall.
- Use the yellow and red 'Energy Rating' label to compare models when buying whiteware such as fridges, dishwashers and dryers (the higher the number of stars on the label, the better the energy efficiency of the model). The additional cost of an energy efficient model is easily repaid in energy savings.
- Insulate your hot water cylinder with a wrap and insulate pipes near the cylinder.
- Use 'Energy Star' computers and equipment with shut-down timers and sleep modes.
- Track water use with a meter - many pumping hours can be wasted through undetected leaks.
- When replacing a motor, choose the most energy efficient model, not the cheapest. Annual running costs can be 10 times the capital cost.
- While not strictly reducing energy use, using electricity at offpeak times can significantly reduce power costs.
- Monitor and track energy use - you cannot manage what you do not monitor.
Diesel
- Regularly service and tune all farm vehicles and machinery.
- Correctly ballast the tractor to optimise wheel slip.
- Radial ply tyres properly inflated to low pressure values can achieve better fuel efficiency.
- Use minimum tillage techniques.
What you can do to help . . .
What five changes can you make?
| Task | By who? | By When? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 |
Track your electricity use & costs
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity use | |||||||||||||
| Electricity costs |
Useful websites
- www.energywise.org.nz (tips on being more energy efficient)
- www.emprove.org.nz (tips for reducing the energy your business uses)
- www.eeca.govt.nz (the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority website)
- www.climatechange.govt.nz (the NZ Climate Change Office website)
- www.maf.govt.nz (the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry website)
- www.4million.org.nz (tips on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions)
- www.agrilink.co.nz (energy reports and tools)
Written by Andrew Barber (AgriLINK NZ Ltd) with support from:
the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, the NZ Climate Change Office and the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority.
