Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Management

Energy efficiency and conservation is the easiest, simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce your energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. And if you're considering installing a renewable energy system, reducing your energy use first means that a smaller, less costly system will meet your needs. This section contains information about green energy efficiency, conservation and management including:

• General Efficiency Information
• Lighting Efficiency and Management
• Fuel Efficiency and Management
• Ventilation and Irrigation Efficiency and Management
• Heating, Cooling and Insulation Efficiency and Management
• Crop Drying Storage Handling
• Stand-by Emergency Power
• Farm Profiles of Energy Efficiency
• Green Energy Generation

General Efficiency Information

• 25 Quick On-Farm Energy Saving Tips
• Conserving energy in the farmhouse, on the farm and on the move
• Energy Efficiency in Food Processing
• Ventilation Heat Exchangers: Save Energy, Save Money and Reduce Greenhouse Gases in Livestock Barns

Lighting Efficiency and Management

• Energy Efficient Dairy Lighting
• Energy Efficient Poultry Lighting
• Energy Efficient Swine Lighting
• Lighting for More Milk
• Using Less Energy on Dairy Farms
• Comparison of Energy Use and Piglet Performance Between Conventional and Energy-Efficient Heat Lamps is a field study (in PDF) that compared the conventional 260W IR heat lamp with an energy-efficient 175W radiant heat lamp for swine farrowing operations.
• Photoperiodic Manipulation of Lactation in Dairy Cattle offers dairy producers a management tool that increases efficiency of the lactating cow. The technique is cost-effective, simple, and does not involve extra labour or cow handling. It's as simple as leaving on the lights.
• Lighting for Poultry with Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Fuel Efficiency and Management

• Oil and Gas Exploration, Production and Legislation on Ontario Farms
• Tips to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Ventilation and Irrigation Efficiency and Management

• Energy-Efficient Mechanical Ventilation Farm Systems
• Hot Water, Energy and the Milking Centre
• Improving Energy Efficiency in Livestock Facilities
• Horse Barn Ventilation
• Tunnel Ventilation for Livestock and Poultry Barns
• Conserving Energy in Irrigation

Heating, Cooling and Insulation Efficiency and Management

• Using Sprayed-in-Place Poly-Urethane Foam Insulation in Farm Buildings
• Sizing and Laying Out a Short-Term (Summer) Refrigerated Storage For Fruits and Vegetables
• Troubleshooting Cold Storage Problems
• Forced-Air Cooling Systems for Fresh Ontario Fruits and Vegetables

Crop Drying Storage Handling

• Natural Air Corn Drying Systems
• Reducing Energy Use in Grain Dryers
• Grain Aeration
• Barn Hay Drying
• Crop Drying with Heat Pumps - an Agricultural Technical Brief from the National Food and Energy Council (External PDF)

Stand-by Emergency Power

• Farm Generators: Making Connections the Safe Way
• Standby Electric Generators for Emergency Farm Use
• Tractor-Driven Generators: Producing Quality Power
• Understanding Portable Generators

Farm Profiles of Energy Efficiency

• Free Stall Dairy Farming Profile
• Tie Stall Dairy Farming Profile
• Swine Farming Profile
• Poultry Farming Profile

External links

Ontario Government Resources

• Ontario's Renewable Energy Information Centre (REIC) (MEI)
• Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (REFO) (MEI)
• Ontario Power Authority
• HydroOne

Canadian Resources

• EnergyStar Canada - Identify products that are the most energy-efficient
• Energuide - Canada - Compares the advantages of an energy-efficient equipment and household appliances
• BC Hydro's Power Smart Buying Guides - Guides offer what you need to know when acquiring energy-using products

International Resources

• Focus on Energy - Agriculture and Rural Business
• ACEEE Energy Efficiency in Agriculture (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)