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The electricity bill can often add up to a substantial amount on dairy farms. Research from Teagasc has shown that electricity usage contributes on average, 0.60c/L to milk production costs. In terms of electricity consumption per dairy cow milked, the figures vary from 4 kWh/cow/week to 7.3 kWh/cow/week. This is equivalent to €0.60/cow/week to €1.10/cow/week.
Leaky tapsA leak as small as 1L/hour can waste 8,500 litres of hot water and 3,800 Kwh per year. Identifying and elimination of leaks can be done with minimal effort, simply repaired at minimal costs and offer real energy savings. Repair any leaky taps promptly! Water heaters sacrificial anode
While many not know what the water heater sacrificial anode is, it’s the single most important factor in whether a water heater lives of dies! It’s life span depends on the quality of water, the amount of use it gets, water temperature and the condition of the tank. Examine the condition of the water heaters sacrificial anode and replace if necessary.
Reduce standby heat loss. Standby heat loss occurs in storage tanks and piping and can be reduced with additional insulation to storage tanks if appropriate and insulation of all hot water piping, and cold water piping within three to five feet of water heater. Natural light
Maximise natural ventilation and light in your winter sheds wherever possible. This will help reduce the need for artificial light and can help keep bugs and infections at bay. Cooling condenser
Make sure that the milk cooling condenser operates at the lowest achievable temperature (e.g. that it is cooled by fresh air of the coolest possible temperature and that it is clean, so that an unobstructed air flow is established). Vacuum pump motor
Make sure the vacuum pump motor is kept clean and well ventilated, it can save you a lot over the course of a year.
Dust
It may sound silly, but dusting around the milking parlour could save you money! Dust and dirt accumulation on lamps and luminary refractors will significantly reduce the effective light, which in turn increases the need for more lighting.
