How Much Money Can You Save With An Energy Audit? – Ag Matters

We've discussed getting discount electricity delivered to your farm.  Now, Mary Wrege at Cornell Cooperative Extension offers another way to shave expenses, an energy audit.  Here's how to get an low-cost or no-cost audit. 

Most farm energy audits identify numerous, easy, low-cost ways to reduce energy consumption and save money.  Proper maintenance can improve poor performing equipment.  If replacement is needed, the audit will show you were to find available funding.

There are several Flex Tech contractors for the New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Under the Flex Tech program, consultants can perform farm energy audits and NYSERDA will cover all or most of the cost.

Here's some basic information you'll need to complete an audit:

Dairy: 
Milking herd size
Number of young stock
Annual milk production
Type of facility (tie-stall, freestall with parlor, etc.)

Greenhouse:
 Size and type of house
 Type of crop under glass/plastic
 Footprint
 Months of use
 Total annual electricity cost for the farm
 Total annual kilowatt-hour use on the farm
 Total non-field fossil fuel use (fuel oil, propane for water and/or space heating)
 Monthly electricity bills for the last 12 months

All of the information is used to develop a very detailed audit report that shows you how energy is used on your farm, how you compare with other similar farms, and how you can improve energy efficiency and save money.  You can get more information on an energy audit and apply online at NYSERDA's website.  Or contact Mary Wrege, Renewable Energy Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County at, (315) 736-3394 ext. 131 or e-mai mpw57@cornell.edu
SOURCE:  Cornell Cooperative Extension - Mary Wrege
Northeast Agriculture Technology Corporation  - Dick Peterson