Energy use is the second largest operational expense for greenhouses after labor. Numerous energy conservation strategies can be implemented to reduce usage, including retractable energy curtains, high-efficiency heaters, energy-efficient lighting, and optimally managing the growing environment.
At the beginning of every season, greenhouse growers should consider practices that reduce their energy bills or smaller projects, such as managing the growing temperature, installing more horizontal airflow fans, sealing leaks, and maintaining heating systems. In the off-season, growers often consider the larger energy-efficient projects that require significant capital investment or construction, such as installing energy curtains, root zone heating and large lighting installations. Some practices and equipment, such as energy curtains, are only practical and have an adequate return on investment for medium to large growers growing during the coldest, darkest months of the year.
Therefore, greenhouse businesses should evaluate how their energy efficiencies and practices stack up against other growers of comparable size in Michigan. To do this, Michigan State University Extension developed a new Greenhouse Energy Index Decision Support Tool to assist businesses in evaluating their energy practices and projects. On Jan. 22, 2025, at 10 a.m., Aluel Go, program manager at Michigan Farm Energy, will talk about this new Greenhouse Energy Index Decision Support Tool during a virtual event. During this session, you will be able to confidentially compare your numbers with benchmarks developed by those who have completed an energy audit in Michigan in the past.
The new tool helps growers determine their own business' energy efficiency levels and how implementing common energy conservation measures would affect your usage. It will assist greenhouse businesses in prioritizing energy efficiency projects and determining how their energy efficiency measures up to similar-sized operations in Michigan.
While open to out-of-state growers, participants in similar climates to Michigan will benefit most from the session since the standards were developed from Michigan-based farm energy audits. While we may take volunteers to provide their metrics as an example, participants will not be required to share any of your business' numbers with other participants.
Register now for MSU's Energy Efficiency Index Tool
Source: Michigan State University