Energy Efficiency Tips for Dairy Farmers

1. Use a Variable Speed Drive for the milking vacuum pump.  This can result in a reduction of pump energy as much as 60%! 
2. Pre-Coolers lower the temperature of the milk with well water, which reduces the amount of energy used by the refrigeration system.
3. Recover heat from the milk cooler compressors.  The heat pulled from the refrigeration system can be diverted to help heat the farms water instead of escaping into the outdoor air. 
4. Tune-Up your vacuum system.  Just like a car or tractor needs regular tune-ups, so does your vacuum to ensure peak performance.
5. The cheaper ventilation fans do not always mean most energy efficient.  It pays in the long run to spend a little more on energy efficient ventilation.
6. Upgrade your lighting to higher efficiency bulbs.  You will notice a savings.
7. Clean the ventilation fans!  Very easy to do and will save you from increasing energy use by up to 10-20%.
8. Use the proper size motors.  A motor should be big enough for the job, but no more. 

Darryl Dressler, Energy Efficiency Educator