Connecticut Grower Installs Energy Efficient Double Thermal Screen
Carolyn Miller, Visual Information Specialist
NRCS - Connecticut
Taking steps to reduce their energy usage, Cromwell Growers has taken advantage of the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to install 166,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art double thermal screen in their greenhouse.
The Dutch-style gutter-connected greenhouse replaces 19 individual greenhouses destroyed by the heavy snow of 2010/2011.
The double layer thermal-screens reduce energy use, and emissions. Other energy efficient features installed as part of the greenhouse design (at owner expense) include computerized environment controls for ridge vents, ventilation fans, irrigation – including flooded floor irrigation, multiple natural gas boilers, insulated pipes and sidewalls, energy efficient lighting, and pumps.
Energy and Emissions Evaluation:
• Annual fuel use without thermal curtains: 233,560,000,000 Btu’s
• Annual Fuel use with double thermal curtains: 92,891,000,000 Btu’s
• Total Btu’s 140,699,000,000 Btu’s
Saved (60%):
(Equivalent of 137.9 million cubic feet of natural gas)
• Thermal Curtain installation reduced CO2 emissions by 1.7 Million lbs.
