Energy Efficiency - Agriculture
Increase Pump Efficiency

• Now's the time to be testing your pumps, and take advantage of the Agricultural Peakload Program. For more information check out www.energy.ca.gov or contact Fresno State Center Irrigation Technology at: 1-855-297-3029
  
  
• Test your well pumps and improve overall pumping plant efficiency — that is, the combined efficiency of the pump and motor or engine.
  
  
• For pumps between 55 percent and 60 percent efficiency consider adjusting the impeller.
  
  
• For pumps between 50 percent and 55 percent efficiency consider adjusting the impeller first; consider repairing or replacing the pump if adjusting the impeller has no effect on efficiency.
  
  
• Consider repairing or replacing pumps with less than 50 percent efficiency .
  
  
• When replacing standard motors, buy new energy efficient electric motors.
  
  
• Reduce the total dynamic head of pumps (power consumption) by installing variable speed drive controllers. These systems work best in Time-of-Use rate schedules on deep wells with frequent startups.
• Use energy efficient water-conserving irrigation practices. Adopt irrigation scheduling methods and deficit irrigation practices to conserve water
  
  
• Sign for Time-of-Use rate schedules with the utility company. By using Time-of-Use schedules you can reduce total costs and possibly avoid power interruptions. The likelihood of power interruptions occurring during peak times is higher than during off-peak times. By already being prepared to use power off-peak, it is possible to avoid interruptions.
  
  
• Call your utility company and sign up for a Time-of-Use rate schedule that works for you.
  
  
• Calculate if your current pump and irrigation system can deliver, in 18 rather than 24 hours, the water your crops need.
  
  
• If you need to make changes to the pump and/or the irrigation system, calculate the cost and figure out how to implement the project. Talk with the utility company about financing options.
  
  
• Adjust your work schedule to meet the new Time-of-Use hours.
  
  
• If you are a dairy farmer irrigating crops and milking cows, do all the above recommendations - but don’t forget to also install variable speed drive controllers in the vacuum and milking pumps.

For additional information on pumping equipment, purchase the University of California, Davis "Irrigation Pumping Plants" publication, at (530) 752-1130.