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9 tips to save energy

Energy is one of the biggest costs for many growers. Nevertheless, some horticultural businesses still waste a relatively large amount of energy, for example due to a lack of maintenance of the boiler, insufficient insulation and air leaks. In this article we will give 9 tips on how to save energy. These tips do not require a large investment, but can lead to considerable savings.
Heating system
Ben Peters
Technical Accountmanager | November 25, 2023 | 3 min. reading time

1. Maintenance of the heating system

If a heating system is not maintained properly, this can lead to corrosion, lime scale and blockages. 
A result could be an increase of the energy cost because the heating system has to work extra hard to maintain het greenhouse temperature. That is why it is important to maintain the heating system properly and have it inspected annually.
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9 tips to save energy

Energy is one of the biggest costs for many growers. Nevertheless, some horticultural businesses still waste a relatively large amount of energy, for example due to a lack of maintenance of the boiler, insufficient insulation and air leaks. In this article we will give 9 tips on how to save energy. These tips do not require a large investment, but can lead to considerable savings.
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Ben Peters
Ben Peters
Technical Accountmanager | November 25, 2023 | 3 min. reading time
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Heating system
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1. Maintenance of the heating system

If a heating system is not maintained properly, this can lead to corrosion, lime scale and blockages. 
A result could be an increase of the energy cost because the heating system has to work extra hard to maintain het greenhouse temperature. That is why it is important to maintain the heating system properly and have it inspected annually.
Want to read more?
This is a premium article. Do you want to read the entire article? Log in and get access to the article directly. 
Don't have an account? Create an account for free. As soon as we have processed your request you get access to the entire article.

2. Check the insulation of pipes

In a well-insulated boiler room for a greenhouse should be between 12 and 15⁰C all year round. If the boiler room is warmer than 15⁰C it means the system is losing heat from the heating system. The generated heat must be transported to the greenhouse and not delivered to the boiler room! Therefore, it makes sense to carry out periodic spot checks on the insulation of the pipes (don't forget the bends!). On a well-insulated pipe through which water from 80 to 90⁰C flows, you should be able to lay your hand without burning.  

3. Turn off circulation pumps

Small circulation pumps with a plug often run all year round, even when there is no heat demand. The power consumption of these pumps may not be that high but it is not necessary. If there is no heat demand, turn these circulation pumps off temporarily.

4. Switch off a stationary boiler

If you are using multiple energy sources and the boiler is actually on stand-by for most of the year, check how often the boiler is still running for a short time and why. You can consider turning the boiler off completely for part of the year. Make sure that you open both the front and the hatch at the back of the boiler to prevent the risk of condensation forming during standstill.

5. Prevent air leaks

Prevent air leaks from the greenhouse to the outside or to unheated areas. In this way you can prevent heat loss and save energy. Air leaks often occur at doors, windows, penetrations and ventilation openings.

6. Check the screen

Check that the screen fits tightly to the profiles. If this is not the case and there are cracks, heat will escape and the energy is lost.

7. Insulate around the greenhouse soil

Avoid leaking energy from the warm greenhouse soil indoors to the cold(er) soil outside. To do this, place PUR or tempex plates 3 to 5 cm thick along the base of the greenhouse, half a metre buried. PUR has the advantage that it has a closed cell structure and therefore does not absorb or permeate water.  

8. Place insulation plates behind the heating pipes

If you are growing on cultivation gutters, place PUR, tempex or other insulation boards with a reflective layer behind the heating pipes to keep the heat inside the greenhouse. Place the panels on the base of the greenhouse against the front and side wall glass to a height where it has no adverse effects on the crop (such as shade).

9. Painting the heating pipes

You can also save energy by painting the heating pipe in the greenhouse white. A white heating tube reflects up to 50% more light and provides up to 20% more heat output. By painting the heating tubes you reduce the heating costs. Would you like to know more about having your heating installation painted? Agro Active provides these services.
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