Mercury Energy - New Zealand Electricity & Gas Provider
Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Facebook
Residential Business Farming Large Business
Home About Us News Community Kids Environment Contact Us Help
 

Low cost energy tips

Click below to discover low or no-cost ways of improving your
energy efficiency:

  • Good Housekeeping
  • Dairy Farming
  • Greenhouses
    		•
  • Electricity
  • Irrigation
  • Diesel
    		•


    •

    Ensure equipment and lighting are switched off wherever possible, when not in use.
    • Close doors and windows when heating or air-conditioning is on.
    • Turn off water heaters when not in use if you go away for a few days.
    • Consider installing a solar water heater.
    • Monitor and track energy use – you cannot manage what you do not monitor. Record monthly energy use and compare to the amount of produce and past records of energy consumption. Large variations in energy use provide an early warning of any problems which can then be quickly corrected.



    •

    Use natural light wherever possible.
    •

    Replace the light bulbs in your most frequently used lights with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
    • Use ‘Energy Star’ computers and equipment with shut-down times and sleep modes.
    • When replacing a motor, choose the most energy efficient model, not the cheapest. Annual running costs can be ten times the capital cost.
    • Use electric motors that are the right size for the application.



    Water heating uses the most electricity in a dairy shed – consider these tips:
    •

    Insulate your hot water cylinder with a wrap and insulate pipes near the cylinder.
    • Use correctly sized hot water cylinders.
    • Turn off the water heater until 4 hours or so before you need the hot water by installing a timer.
    • Using electricity at off-peak times can significantly reduce power costs.
    • Use cold water for wash-downs once per day. The other washes need to be at 80°C to achieve adequate sanitation.
    • Consider installing a heat recovery unit.
    • Use plate coolers to pre-cool milk before it enters the vat.
    •

    Regularly maintain refrigeration equipment:
      •   Regularly service refrigeration units.
      •   Keep condensing coils free of obstructions and dust to
           ensure a clear air flow.
      •   Situate freezers and refrigerators as far away as possible
           from heat sources.
      •   Ensure freezers and refrigerators are fully loaded whenever
           possible.



    •

    Use gravity supply where possible because pumping water costs money.
    • Correctly match the pump to the system requirements, rather than throttling a system with a gate valve.
    • Monitor and track water use and demand with a meter.
    • Use a soil moisture sensor or a professional service to schedule your irrigation application.
    • Irrigate little and often – do not irrigate below the active root zone.
    • Where appropriate, use mulching and/or shelter belts to conserve applied water.
    • Ensure pumps are regularly maintained and any leaks repaired promptly.



    The majority of energy use in a greenhouse is for heating.

    Make the most of ‘free’ solar heating by keeping glass clean. Dirty glass reduces daylight getting into the greenhouse, reducing the amount of light reaching the plants and the amount of ‘free’ solar heating. Regular cleaning will ensure that both plant growth and energy efficiency are optimised.

    Double skin plastic construction is more energy efficient than traditional glass.

    Sealing greenhouses properly can reduce heating costs by up to 25%. To achieve this:
    •

    Check ventilators close properly.
    • Replace broken and/or slipped panes of glass.
    • Seal around heating pipes, and use brush seals around doors and ventilators.
    • Fit automatic door closers.
    • Use windbreaks to reduce the effect of high winds which can save 10%.



    •

    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.
    • Select most appropriate gear for the job by "gear up – throttle back".

    • Where does the power go?
    • Why reduce energy consumption?
    • How to reduce energy consumption
    • Low cost energy tips
    • Further information
    • Energy and climate change