Guide - Summary
Prairie Swine Centre
Miranda Smit, Ph.D., Ken Engele, BSA, P.Ag, Bernardo Predicala, Ph.D.
Date of Publication: 2024-06-06
Energy costs have nearly doubled per hog over the last decade, and heating, lighting, and ventilation are the biggest culprits. The good news? Many fixes are simple and affordable.
Switching to LED lighting alone can cut electrical use by 75–80% compared to incandescent bulbs, with a payback in one to two years. On heating, gestating sows kept at 8–13°C performed just as well as those in warmer barns, cutting natural gas use by up to 75%. Poorly calibrated ventilation systems and leaky drinkers quietly add thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs each year.
For producers, the takeaway is clear: regular maintenance, smarter temperature setpoints, efficient fans, and tighter barn sealing can meaningfully reduce your energy bill without hurting pig health or performance. Renewable options like solar walls and geothermal systems offer longer-term savings worth exploring too.