Greenhouse Operations Energy Conservation & Efficiency Improvements
Are you looking to reduce greenhouse energy costs? Resources for Greenhouse Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency
Greenhouse Energy Conservation & Efficiency • Lighting • Heating • Cooling • Ventilation • Fans • Automated Controls • Insulation Are there Energy Hogs in your greenhouse operation?
Resources: Greenhouse Conservation Measures Greenhouse Energy Conservation Strategies (E3160) April 2, 2012 – Author Erik Runkle and A.J. Both (Michigan State University) “This document presents 13 production strategies and technologies that greenhouse growers can use to reduce energy consumption and improve greenhouse production efficiency. Although many of these concepts can apply to virtually any greenhouse-grown crop, the focus is on the production of floriculture crops in controlled greenhouse environments located in temperate climates.”
Resources: Greenhouse Conservation Measures Greenhouse Energy Conservation Checklist Greenhouse CT Integrated Pest Management Program – University of Connecticut “Increasing energy costs make conservation and efficient use of facilities an important part of today’s greenhouse operation. New greenhouse designs, better glazing, improved heating and ventilating equipment and new management systems should be included when upgrading or adding on. With typical annual energy usage being 75% for heating, 15% for electricity and 10% for vehicles, efforts and resources should be put where the greatest savings can be realized. Many improvements have a payback of less than two years.” Updated 2013 – Author John W. Bartok, Jr., Extension Professor Emeritus & Agricultural Engineer, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut, Storrs CT
Resources: Greenhouse Energy Efficiency Things a Greenhouse Grower Can Do To Improve Energy Efficiency June 13, 2016 - Author Daniel Ciolkosz. P.E. (PennState Exension) “The following list gives some of the most common successful measures that greenhouse growers can use to reduce energy use without compromising the performance of their greenhouse.”
Resources: Greenhouse Energy Efficiency Improve Energy Efficiency in Greenhouses PennState Extension “In this video, learn the top 10 things greenhouse growers can do to improve energy efficiency and save money.” You may also View the Transcript
Lighting Upgrades to more efficient lighting
Heating Reduce air leaks
Cooling Shade Cloth
Cooling Shade Curtains
Fans Upgrades to more efficient fans
Automated Controls Programmable Thermostat
What are your greenhouse energy concerns? Have you considered getting an energy audit for the greenhouse operation? (two programs) Farm Energy Efficiency Program - The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources in collaboration with National Grid offers free energy efficiency audits for farms. Incentives and rebates are available for many energy efficient measures. A free, no-obligation energy audit for farmers Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP) (on-farm energy audit) is a Conservation Activity Plan personalized to ensure coverage of each farm’s main energy uses. An AgEMP is an analysis of a farm’s foundation and management that provides recommendations on how to reduce energy use. USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service
Farm Energy Efficiency Program Contact: Nathan Cleveland , Programming Services Officer Energy Efficiency Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources 401-574-9112 Nathan.Cleveland@energy.ri.gov www.energy.ri.gov
Agricultural Energy Management Plan USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI www.ri.nrcs.usda.gov Northern Rhode Island Field Office Cassius Spears 401-822-8833 Cassisu.spears@ri.usda.gov Eastern Rhode Island Field Office Melissa Hayden 401-822-8847 Melissa.hayden@ri.usda.gov Southern Rhode island Field Office Melissa Hayden 401-822-8847 Melissa.hayden@ri.usda.gov
No matter the size of your greenhouse operation, conservation and efficiency measures could save money on operation costs
Rhode Island Farm Energy Who can I talk to about the available funding opportunities and incentives? Jo-Anne Pacheco, Program Coordinator Rhode Island Farm Energy Program c/o RI RC&D 2283 Hartford Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 info@rifarmenergy.org www.rifarmenergy.org 401-500-0399
Greenhouse Operations Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Improvements
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