Energy usage in swine barns and potential energy conservation measures were evaluated in
this study. A survey of 28 swine facilities showed large variability in energy used per hog
produced between barns. Energy audits conducted in four selected barns identified the various
areas, equipment, and practices in the barn that contributed significantly to the total overall
energy consumption, thereby aiding in prioritizing areas for intervention. Using computer
simulation, various potential strategies that can be applied in a barn in terms of lighting, creep
and space heating, fans, feed motor, and heat recovery were examined. Simulation results for a
typical 600-sow operation showed that potential annual savings up to 47,391 kWh electricity (79
kWh/sow) or 88,404 m3 natural gas (147 m3/sow) can be attained.