Better Farming - August 2016

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48 Farm News First > Better Farming August 2016
HOWITWORKS
cause overheating of the electrical
supply wires if not installed with
discretion.
Before we leave the laundry area, I
would like to note that the electric
clothes dryer has become primarily a
fluff-only device. It is rarely used in
the drying mode. In the summer the
clothesline works well, as do the
drying racks behind the propane
heater in the basement in the colder
weather. The humidity addition is not
a problem in an older farmhouse!
Lighting systems
I am very surprised at the numbers
of old 175-watt mercury-vapor
security lights that still grace many
farmsteads. The newer 65-watt
high-pressure sodium lights will
provide the same amount of security
lighting for less than half the energy.
It does not provide a colour of light
that is suitable for writing or reading
dials or gauges. (But then you don’t
normally have a desk underneath
your security light.) However, if you
have a grain dryer panel close by, you
can install a small light above the
panel, or carry an iPhone for night
checking!
Many other lights can be changed
or upgraded to save energy. I have a
three-bulb light fixture above the sink
where I shave. Three 40-watt incan-
descent bulbs previously provided the
necessary light. However, I discov-
ered a set of the same large globe
light bulbs that only use nine watts
each while providing the same light
output. They have a start-up delay to
full light output. That doesn’t bother
me but it does annoy my wife and
daughter when they want high light
instantly. But I remind them that I
pay the hydro bill!
Certainly many kinds of highly
efficient light bulbs and fixtures have
become available. They can and
should be used in poultry, swine and
dairy barns as well as residences and
other heated buildings if suitable for
the application.
Cooling caution
Many newer refrigeration and freezer
units for residences and other warm
locations do reduce energy use
significantly. However, four years ago
I bought a new and larger refrigera-
tor/freezer combination unit for my
shop to replace the older and smaller
energy guzzler. The need was
twofold: to store market garden
produce and cold drinks and provide
Those three energy-saving bulbs are
over my bathroom mirror. I can afford
to wait a few seconds until they come
to full brightness. They reduce the
electrical consumption by 77 per cent.
A 24-hour timer is connected to an energy efficient water heater. Note
also the anti-siphon pipe loop and piping insulation.
Just on
Full bright