These tools were designed to help farmers and ranchers identify ways to reduce their
energy costs. The modules determine if energy conservation equipment is being used
and then estimates the current energy usage. The tools will calculate the estimated
energy and cost savings for the use of high efficiency equipment and energy conserving
practices. The results generated by these tools are estimates based on models and
help to determine which equipment or practices are worth pursuing to reduce energy
consumption.
An on-site energy audit may be beneficial to uncover other energy conservation measures
not covered by these tools. Please contact your local NRCS office for additional
assistance.
Renewable energy can be used to displace electricity, water heating or space heating
with fossil fuels. Using renewable fuel also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and
conserves the use of fossil fuels. These tools will help estimate the energy production
from solar photovoltaic panels, solar hot water panels, wind turbines, biogas from
anaerobic digesters and biomass such as wood, wood pellets, corn and prairie grass
pellets. Before investing in renewable energy production, it is usually more cost
effective to invest in energy conserving equipment and processes to reduce your
energy demands as much as possible. This has the added benefit of reducing the size
and investment cost of renewable energy technologies.