It is well worth your while obtaining an overview of energy consumption on the farm. Start with energy accountancy. Take regular readings of your electricity meter(s) (once a month). Separate the consumption into household, farming, heating, water heating. If possible, register both kWh and kW. Then compare all your figures with benchmark figures that have been provided in the calculator section of this web-portal (Feeding, ventilation, milk cooling etc.)
 

On dairy farms, the average consumption of electricity per cow can range between approximately 400 kWh-1200 kWh/year or 4-12 kWh/100 kg of milk. Wherever possible use electric applications instead of fuel driven processes (e.g. tractor transmission drives) – efficiency is much higher and you can exactly dimension the application to the process.

1. Milking
   • Correct dimensioning of pipes and the number of milking systems determine the dimension of the vacuum pump
   • do not over dimension the whole installation
   • do not operate the milking systems longer than really necessary
   • make use of speed variable drives – reduce the speed frequency (you can make savings of up to 40 %!)
2. Cleaning of milking installations
   Milking facilities with instantaneous water heaters lead to high power peaks (kW) compared to boilers. If you use an instantaneous water heater then be sure to remember:
   • to make use of a timer and use the heater out of milk-cooling periods
   • that the correct dimensioning of these facilities is vital to achieving low energy consumption
   • that boilers are often an energy saving alternative
   • to preferably warm your water using the heat recovered from the milk cooler.
3. Cooling and storing milk
   Normally for cooling there is a consumption of 2.5 kWh for 100l of milk. To avoid higher consumption and in order to reduce the energy consumed during milk cooling and storing, try implementing the following suggestions:
   • dimensioning of store capacity in keeping with individual needs
   • accurate dimensioning of the cooling facility (not too large) and of the location for the cooling compressor (do not heat the milk in the storage room)
   • place the storage tanks on the cooler side (north) of the building
   • regular maintenance is vital for lower energy consumption.
     • regular control of cooling liquids
     • periodic cleaning of the compressor unit
     • control of cooling temperature
   • keep the suction side at least 50 cm away from the wall
   • ensure good ventilation
   • protect the fins of the air condenser from dust
4. Heating of drinking troughs (only for colder European areas)
   • Use heat recovery over plate heat exchangers
   • insulate the drinking place instead of investing additional heating
5. Feeding
   Preparing of roughage requires high electrical power if there is a need for hay drying or storage in high fodder silos. So consider using:
   • mechanical feed systems (e.g. chain conveyors) instead of pneumatic units
   • dry the hay outside
   • preferably uncongested storage of the hay and lower storage for air drying
   • do not use electrical drives for lifting at the same time as other large appliances (e.g. liquid manure pump)
   • although computer controlled feeding systems (e.g. for concentrated feed or mixing the feed) need up to 880 kWh/a, they lead to cost savings due to increased milk production and improved animal health
6. Dunging
   • Manure pumps often have a high electrical capacity (kW). Don´t over dimension them!
   • Use small pipes and a low pressure head
7. Heat recovery
   • With a heat recovery system you can heat 75 l of water while cooling 100l of milk. That leads to 1000 kWh energy coming out of the milk, that saves your heat energy coming from fuel.
   • With 20 cows you can heat an average, normal insulated house of 100 m².
   • Money invested in heat recovery will give you a very quick return on investment!
8. Lighting
   Lighting represents a very small share of on-farm energy consumption (about 2 % of the entire electricity consumption). However energy saving measures and lighting improvements are easy to implement:
   • use efficient lighting systems instead of light bulbs
   • make sure lights are regularly cleaned (!)
   • make sure outdoor lights are suitable for cold temperatures
   • instead of halogen floodlights use more efficient systems (see the Lighting section)
   • Make use of timers and motion detectors