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Energy audit report will show audits a very wise move

Greenhouse energy audits are worth it. That’s the preliminary conclusion of a study soon to be released from Michigan State University (MSU).

Aluel Go, a farm energy auditor and visiting researcher in the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, is currently spearheading a study which looks at the savings that can be reaped from greenhouse energy audits. The finished report, involving graduate student Trevor McLean, will be available to the public in about a month. Audits of 25 greenhouse businesses are being examined.

In Go’s view, the study is going to be crucial in convincing industry members that spending money on an audit is a very wise move. Of the 15 audits analyzed so far, eight are typical small operations which Go says could each be saving an average of $15 000 to $20 000 (USD) every year if the recommended energy efficiency improvements from the audit were put in place.

Aside from the seemingly high cost of audits and a perceived lack of their benefits, there are other reasons that industry members have shied away from energy audits, says Go.

These reasons and much more will be available in June’s feature story on greenhouse energy audits in Greenhouse Canada Magazine and here on Energy Edge.