Energy-saving loan will help dairy farmers

A new interest-free loan for farmers wanting to invest in energy-saving equipment is now available from the Carbon Trust.

This loan could be used to install heat recovery units (HRU) to help dairy farmers reduce water heating costs by up to 50%, according to DairyCo.

By maximising the energy efficiency of milk cooling, water heating costs can be reduced significantly, they say.

An HRU is connected into the refrigeration system of the bulk tank and uses the waste heat to pre-heat water before it enters the water heater.

An HRU can cost from £1500 to £3000, but with the financial savings to be made there will be a return on investment.

To find out more about Carbon Trust loans, call 01865 885 846 or visit www.carbontrust.co.uk/loans.

To calculate your water heating and milk cooling costs use the DairyCo energy calculators, available online at www.dairyco.org.uk, or to find out about more ways of energy saving order the DairyCo booklet, Energy Efficiency on Farm, by calling 02476 478 695.