Energy Efficiency and Online Tools for Greenhouses

Energy conservation program
EnerSmart Brochure
Enerline article on EnerSmart program
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Energy Curtains Enercase  new brochure
Energy curtains installed in the Lake Erie Farms greenhouse are helping reduce their natural gas consumption by 25%. Learn why lake Erie Farms General Manager, Trish Fournier, calls energy curtains, "the most effective method of reducing greenhouse operation costs," in this Energy Curtains Enercase.

Energy Efficiency Studies & Surveys
Energy efficiency studies and surveys can identify and prioritize energy savings opportunities for your greenhouse. They will go a long way to determining your energy priorities and identifying what actions will save you the most money. Successful programs have been instrumental in freeing up dollars and improving bottom line performance.  Union Gas provides funding for both process and energy efficiency studies and surveys.

Program elements	Funding guidelines
Process studies	66% of cost up to $20,000
Steam trap surveys	50% up to $6,000
Energy efficiency feasibility studies	50% up to $10,000

Equipment Incentives
Companies can achieve significant energy savings by installing energy efficient equipment and technologies. Union Gas provides significant financial incentives for companies that install energy efficient natural gas equipment. High efficiency boilers, heat recovery systems, electronic burner controls, heat storage tanks, energy curtains and CO₂ condensers can save significantly lower a grower's energy costs.

Program elements	Funding guidelines
Equipment incentives	15% of incremental high efficiency upgrade costs up to $40,000 *
Demonstration of new technologies	10% up to $50,000 *

* Based on installed cost and subject to energy savings. Total incentives cannot   exceed $250,000 a year per site.

Education & Promotion
Union Gas can help you provide educational training for your greenhouse operation. If your interested in pursuing some energy efficiency training opportunities, talk to your Union Gas Account Manager.

Online Calculators and Tools

CO₂ and heating cost calculator

Growers that improve production by injecting CO₂ into their greenhouses should consider the high cost of buying liquid CO₂.  Growers can save money by generating CO₂ from their natural gas boilers.  To see how much money you can save, check our   CO₂ and heating cost calculator.  It lets you compare the cost of heating and generating CO₂ with natural gas to the cost of burning ^#6 oil and buying liquid CO₂.  You may be surprised by how much you can save by burning natural gas.

Boiler Fuel Cost Comparison - Oil vs. Gas

Boiler Fuel Cost Comparison - Oil vs. Gas tool allows you to compare the price of natural gas and #6 fuel oil while taking into account thermal and parasitic losses associated with each fuel firing.  By comparing the “true fuel costs”, you can select the most economic fuel.
 

Not sure how to use this tool?  Click here for instructions.

The thermal and parasitic losses default values are based on boiler tests conducted by Union Gas and Professor Herb Eckerlin of North Carolina State University.  To see Professor Eckerlin's presentation on Boiler Operating Costs with Natural Gas and #6 Oil click here. H aven't heard of Professor Eckerlin's achievements? Check here for his professional background.

Energy Toolbox

If you're looking to do some quick volume and energy conversions, check our Energy Toolbox. Our online calculator can help you covert 10³m³s into GJs, Dths or Mcfs -- and back again. For convenience, this pop-up calculator will remain on your desktop until you close it -- even if you exit from our website.