Agency helps farmers save energy , LEESPORT Want to fmd out where you can save energy and money on the farm? tThe Pennsylvania Energy inters, located in 10 regions throughout the state, are “gearing up” to provide this free advisory service to fanners under a federally-funded program. According to Ed Mazur, a member of the Region 2 Energy Efficiency team, this type of energy-saving advice has been available for small businesses in Pennsylvania since last June. He pointed out, however, that the agricultural portion is “just swinging into gear.” Of all the regions within Penn sylvania, Mazur claims the Berks region has “done the most” in the agricultural energy-saving area.” To date, they have provided assistance on 5 farms 3 dairy and 2 swine operations. What does the Energy Efficiency team look for in making recom The Concrete Choice of Farmers for 21 Years SMITH CATTLEGUARD® Farm Products Fenceline Feed Bunk - Smooth Centerline Feed Bunk -Adaptable surface, rounded corners for less to all types of overhead feeding waste systems Stock Tanks - Approved by Soil Freeze-Proof Waterer - No out- Conservation Service for a clean side source of energy requited to reliable water supply keep water ice-free, even in sub zero temperatures Please send me free informal i Cattleguards Name Address City Route 1095 mendations to fanners on how to save energy and money? According to Mazur, the team ‘ ‘ looks for places where energy can be saved through proper main tenance, ventilation, lighting, water heating, gram drying, and milk cooling.” “We may suggest new procedures to the fanner, like using well water to cool milk,” explains Mazur, pointing out that farm visits usually last about 1 hour and consist of a walking tour of the farm. After the trip around the farm, each fanner is provided with a personalized analysis on where and how energy can be saved, says Mazur. Farmers receive per centages on how much energy can be saved rather than monetary figures as is done with other small businesses. Recalling the advice he shared with one dairy farmer, Mazur says he suggested a small change in The Smith Cattleguard - No. 1 In the country. Save the time \d '{ opening and closing gates. Feed Bunks CONCRETE SAFETY SYSTEMS w tr* 1 Freeze Proof Waterers State Bethel, Pa. 19507 operation that could save the farmer 15'percent on his electric bill. “I advised him to preheat the cold water, before running it into the water heater by circulating it through a copper coil in the milk vat,” he recounts. “The cold water not only will be preheated, but it will help to lower the milk’s temperature in the tank by a couple degrees.” The cost of this energy-saving idea, notes Mazur, would be about $35 to $4O. The expense, he says, would be incurred for the pipe needed to reroute the water. In this case,, the farmer already had a copper coil,' avoiding that ad ditional cost. During the farm visit, Mazur suggested this same farmer in sulate his water heater and also lower the temperature of the water to the minimum for a dairy operation. For a cost of about $l5 for the insulation, the farmer could All products feature: Durable Precast Concrete Steel Reinforcement Simple Installation Low Maintenance High Quality All products available 12 Ft. Cattleguard *395 14 Ft. Cattleguard *42 5 16 Ft. Cattleguard *450 Freeze-Proof Waterer *250 F. 0.8. Plant Stock Tan!' t. Zip Phone realize a savings of about 5 per cent, Mazur claims. Another area where energy can be easily saved, adds Mazur, is ventilation. He recalls how one particular dairy farmer was losing cooled area through the space around the fans. “In the summer tune, cool air would escape back through the spaces instead of flowing into the barn,” he explained. “We suggested the farmer seal the space around the fan and also make better use of natural ven tilation, thereby reducing energy costs.” Other energy-saving tips the efficiency team might suggest include: maintaining farm machinery with regular tune-ups and lubrication to help save gas; using wheel weights only when necessary and removing them from tractors at other tunes; and regular cleaning of belts, fans and radiators. from stock 1 icvnsed bv, FAbl SFT' Industries (717) 933-4107 Lancaster Famine, Saturday, April 10,1902—835 SOLM-MX' MODEL ' magnum- ■ By PRRHiUC Solar powered electric fencer uses free energy from the sun. Maximum power... longer iife...no operating costs. Ail new, 12-volt, solid state circuitry reduces battery drain to the minimum shocks through wet weeds and brush. LF 4-2-82 with Panel without Panel FULL TWO-YEAR WARRANTY For all your fencer needs, it will pay you well to start with, or switch to, the oldest name in electric fencers and the world's largest selling brand.. DOES HOT HAVE IT, CONTACT PEOUEA BATTERIES Ronks, PA 17572 Distributor & Warranty Station for Parmak money ‘•I saw one tractor that had about a foot of dirt on the radiator,” observed Mazur. Although most,of their work is done with existing facilities, Mazur said the Energy Team can put farmers in touch with contractors and sale personnel who have technical specifications on energy efficient buildings. “We make sure the farmer isn’t getting a bum steer,” he said. The nicest part about all this advice is that it’s all free ot charge. Unfortunately, not all the regional offices are staffed with farm ex perts and are not as experienced in making on-farm visits as the Berks office. According to Bradley Smith who beads the Region 6 office of the Pennsylvania Energy Center, covering Perry, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Cumberland, Adams, and York counties, his office has not been visiting farms because of the lack of expertise. “I’ve recommended to our state office that energy saving in formation should be given out through workshops and training sessions rather than trying to get into every aspect of the farm operation,” he says. “We haven’t done anything on individual farms because it’s just too complicated and we can’t find qualified people to do the job for the money we could pay them. Basically, our staff is made up of engineering students.” To emphasize his “too com plicated” sentiments. Smith ex plains that his staff can complete 10 small business surveys in the time it would take to do one farm. “To give you an idea, the small business survey contains two worksheets, whereas the farm survey has 40.” Smith tells how the complexity of (TurntoPageß36) IF YOUR LOCAL DEALER
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