2022 Buyers Guide Indoor Grow - 31

MJBizDaily Buyers Guide Indoor Cultivation
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PLANNING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
& SUSTAINABILITY
Temperature control accounts for 10% to 20% of the energy bill at major cannabis grows. For largescale
cultivation operations, this could translate to hundreds of thousands of dollars in expense.
" When it comes to utilities costs, we see averages of $15,500 per month for a 25,000-square-foot
facility, " said John Burgoon, a solutions architect at agriculture supplier Prospiant.
When designing the climate-control system and shopping the market for parts, growers should
consider prioritizing energy-efficient components that save money long-term-even if they cost
more upfront.
" The goal with HVAC technology (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) should not only be
its ability to maintain ideal set points but to do so in an energy-efficient manner, " said Ryan
Douglas, a cannabis growth consultant at Ryan Douglas Cultivation. " Some HVAC systems send air
through multiple cooling and heating cycles to remove moisture and bring the air back to ambient
temperatures, but this isn't very energy efficient. "
In addition to energy-saving HVAC components, cultivators should research HVAC operating
techniques that can create savings as well.
" Step one in saving power in a facility is to operate during off-peak hours. That's a low-hanging
fruit, " said Coleman Retzlaff, director of sales in the agricultural division at Quest Climate. " If I know
between noon and 5 p.m., I'm going to pay more per kilowatt hour than any other time, I'm certainly
not going to have my lights on. ... I choose to have my lights on when we're off the peak rates. "
ENERGY-REBATE PROGRAMS
Some states, municipalities and private companies have started to offer incentives to cultivators
who take steps to conserve energy.
" You can get energy rebates for efficient air conditioning, for more efficient HVAC, in some
municipalities, " said David Kessler, executive vice president and chief science officer at Agrify. " That
is a little bit more of an ongoing process because it requires some engineering mathematics. "
While rebate programs exist, information isn't always easy to find. It's up to the grower to check
with its HVAC manufacturers on what programs they might be eligible for.
" When you're doing your due diligence and you're looking up which equipment to use, reach out
to those manufacturers and ask them if they know of rebates available in your area for energyefficient
equipment, " said Keith Reagan, director of commercial operations at Quest Climate. " There
are some significant savings out there for energy-efficient equipment. "
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2022 Buyers Guide Indoor Grow

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