Iowa Farmer Today
12-30-06
Heat system cuts propane costs
By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
ALTON -- It may have a long name and it’s somewhat unconventional, but all Pat
Zenk knows is the new energy system in his hog finisher is saving him money.
Zenk, who farms near here in Sioux County, had a Reverse Ambient Solar
Energy Reclamation System (RASERS) installed in his finishing unit and his
home in July. The result, he says, has been a much smaller propane bill.
“We haven’t had really cold weather yet, but the propane (in the finisher) just
doesn’t kick in like it used to,” says the Northwest Iowa farmer. “And, I don’t think
we’ll need it that much to heat the house this winter.”
The system, developed by Kevin Flammang, owner of Waters Hot Inc. near
Orange City, collects heat from the air and transfers it into a water-heating
system. RASERS is capable of collecting heat units up to about 20 degrees
below zero.
“This system can take heat out of anywhere, and use it over and over,”
Flammang says. “It’s much more efficient than propane and gets a tremendous
return on your investment, especially in areas where a lot of heat is lost.”
The system consists of a finless evaporator panel, a compressor and a heat
exchanger, he explains.
He says the panel is unique because it is remote and does not encompass the
compressor.
It also does not rely on a fan to draw air across the evaporator coil. It can be
placed just about anywhere where there is excess thermal energy and without
dust collecting on it.
The evaporator captures thermal energy through the use of refrigerant gases. It
is then transferred to the compressor, where the expanded gas is compressed,
resulting in more heat in the refrigerant liquid.
The hot liquid is passed through a heat exchanger, where another fluid, such as
water, absorbs the excess heat and raises its temperature.
Flammang says the cooled refrigerant liquid is re-circulated back out to the
evaporator panel, where the process is repeated.
“In a hog building, for example, we can take heat from the exhaust vents and pit
fans, and keep using those BTUs over and over,” he says.
The system uses very little electricity, Flammang adds, reducing the need for
propane. He says propane only is used for emergency backup.
The system also has been shown to reduce humidity in hog buildings, Flammang
adds.
Making hog buildings less humid should result in fewer respiratory problems,
says Jay Harmon, ISU Extension ag engineer in Ames.
He says producers do a nice job of making sure buildings are winterized,
although many tend to use too much insulation or keep buildings too warm.
“If you are blowing insulation in, the payoff isn’t that great unless you have a
building that has no insulation,” Harmon says. “We need to make sure the
curtains are kept tight as well.”
Several rebate programs are available to producers who make buildings more
energy efficient, he says.
Harmon says producers should pay particular attention to nurseries.
“Those pigs don’t need to have temperatures at 90 degrees if the building isn’t
drafty,” he says. “It’s more important to adjust those fans.
“You also need to watch the heat lamps and make sure you are using the correct
wattage. If you create a hot spot, those pigs will move away from the lamp and
under the sow.”
Flammang says RASERS systems are not only being used in hog buildings and
homes, but also in businesses and other establishments. He also is looking at
using the technology in dairy barns and poultry facilities.
He says the cost for a residential unit is no more than a conventional heating
system. With livestock buildings, the cost is going to depend on the need.
“I think farmers have always understood that at times you need to spend a little
money to save some money,” Flammang says.
“You will find that while your electric bill will go up some, you are going to make
up for that with what you save on propane or natural gas.
“We really think this is an excellent system.”
Zenk, who buys weaned pigs for his finishing operation, says the system has
worked well.
“It is less humid in the building, although I think we will need some auxiliary heat
when it gets colder,” he says. “And, while our electric bill is slightly higher, we are
using very little propane.
“So far, I like how it is working.”