Reduce Gas Price

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Image by USDAgov
One million BTU propane fueled boilers at Excellent Harvest Farm on April 19, 2011 in Strasburg, PA, completed Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant supported renovation six months ago that replaced an 80-year ancient structure with a new 4,000 sq. ft. facility that features energy efficient glass roof with curtains that block or trap heat, radiant heaters in or higher than the floor, and the replacement of an oil-fired hot-air furnaces with propane fueled boilers that supply fin-tube and cement embedded tube elements with hot water. With current fuel prices, there is a projected 2011 energy cost savings of more than ,000; a 40% reduction in energy costs – exceeding projected savings. Plant health and quality has improved and been more consistent since the temperature and humidity is computer controlled and distributed evenly throughout the facility. Utilizing sensors and a roof mounted weather station the system can maintain four different climate zones 24-hours a day. Two 1,000,000 BTU propane fueled boilers heat the water to 190 degrees for the 8,000 feet of fin-tube heating elements were used everywhere the original foundation, and the 8,000 feet of tubing that was embedded in a new cement foundation. With traveling through the energy efficient system, water only looses 20 degrees. When temperatures become to hot, motorized roof vents open to allow rising heat to being paid away from; a 98% energy savings from fantastic fans that previously mandatory air out. Both systems make a microclimate in and round the plant trays in the growing and sales room. Representing Excellent Harvest Farm Chris Powell says, “You don’t need to have a lot of land to have a lot of green houses. There are places in cities everywhere vegetables are grow on store roof tops and selling them not more than in the same structure.” USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.