Balancing Heating Costs and Moisture Control

Posted in: Energy by admin on January 1, 1997 | No Comments

When pigs are confined within an enclosed airspace, the heat and moisture that they produce will accumulate to unacceptable levels unless there is adequate ventilation of the room with fresh outside air. Ventilation rates in winter to remove heat can be very low. If ventilation is not provided, RH will rise and condensation will occur on building surfaces. To avoid moisture accumulation in cold weather, we need to add supplemental heat. The job of the building operator is to manage the building, the heaters and the ventilation system to optimize the animal environment and minimize heating and electricity costs.
The article uses a weanling room example to illustrate the above statements. An easy to read checklist for heating and moisture control is also included in the paper. Issues such as air leaks, insulation, controllers and temperature are discussed.

Comparison of Heat Lamp to Heat Pad Creep Heat in Farrowing Units

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Guidelines for Selection of Energy Efficient Agricultural Ventilation Fans

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Look How Much Feed is Wasted

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Studies estimate that 10-15% of the feed used in grower-finishing units is never consumed by the pig but rather spilt onto the floor or lost in the manure. An idea has surfaced where adlib fed pigs are encouraged to visit the feeder less often during the day. This results in fewer meals with longer duration and intake. Feeders do tend to be visited far more frequently than is strictly necessary. Feeder design should be studied. A feeder would be loss-limiting if it provided the animal with enough room to lift its head and chew without drawing. Feeders should also have a through-view feature so the animal can see its penmates and be less threatened. Feed is also lost directly when the pig paws or roots it out. Pellets are better than meal and the adjustment of the feeder’s flow rate is vital. An important role will remain for managers in ensuring their feeders are positioned, adjusted and controlled correctly.

When Sows Drink Less

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Limiting water to swine can result in water depravation and urinary tract ailments. The author looks at water requirements of swine and how temperature may affect this requirement. Pregnant sow water intake and feed comparisons are made.

Stirring the Pit

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This article examines a type of windmill manure lagoon aerator. This windmill is mounted on pontoons anchored in the middle of an Embro farmers 330,000-gallon manure tank. The pits contents are brought to the surface gradually where they are exposed to the air. The Embro area farmers farm became the experimental site not only because he has an interest in keeping odours under control, but also because he has two adjacent manure tanks.
Odour levels were low and manure nutrient levels were not affected by the machine. No maintanance is required and the amount of power needed to spin the windmill depends on the consistency of the liquid. The agitator costs between $3000 and $5000 depending on whether they are wind or electrically driven.

Dual Ventilation Gives the Best of Both Worlds

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Dual ventilation fans and natural ventilation in the same room. Fans are used in cold months and in warm months, shut off as the sidewall curtains begin to open up. Exhaust that is too low or too high impacts energy by wasting dollars. Excess drafting from gusty winds through open sidewalls is also eliminated. With a 16-km per hour wind, a naturally ventilated barn can achieve about four times the airflow than that of a fan system. Energy dollars can be saved by not having to run the fans. Estimated fan operating costs for a dual system are 25 cents per pig compared to $1 to $1.25 for a conventional fan ventilated barn.

Smart Ways to Control the Climate

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The lastest climate controls were displayed at Eurotier in 1996. The units are reliable, use less energy and have lower installation costs. Suppliers have heeded calls for ventilation equipment to be more cleanable and to have a system of emergency ventilation in each mechanically-ventilated house. Controls are by time, temperature or relative humidity, while the designers have aimed for limited water requirements and greater durability. In total 9 devices are summarized in the article.

Heating Systems Evaluation in Swine Nursery Units

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Heat Lamps Needs of Baby Pigs

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