• Energy savings of a farm can also lead to monetary savings.Small Rural Farms image by Stephen Gibson from Fotolia.com
  
  Energy conservation can be just as beneficial to those who live on farms as it is for those in suburban homes. There are many ways to conserve energy usage on farms. By implementing simple energy saving tips, farmers can conserve the energy their farms use substantially. The monetary savings of energy conservation on farms allows farmers to put their earnings toward enhancements on their farms, instead of paying high utility bills.
  
  

Operation

• Perhaps the best way to start energy conservation on a farm is by perfecting the farm's operation. Alternative energy sources such as wind energy or solar energy can be a great way to fuel a farm. Water conservation is another opportunity to save energy on the farm and a great way to conserve water is by simply using only the amount of water needed for crop irrigation. Additionally, farmers can save water consumption by irrigating crops on even-tempered days without a lot of sun or wind to hinder the process. Sediment should be cleaned from the hot water take on a routine basis. To make a farm even more energy efficient, farmers can look into water recycling equipment to use less water.
  
  

Equipment

• Farm equipment can be costly, but by following simple energy-saving tips money can be saved daily. Farmers should buy equipment that fits their needs. For instance, a farmer should purchase a tractor based on the duties it will be expected to perform. By correlating the size of a tractor to the expected workload, farmers will save on the fuel costs. Equipment should be serviced according to its manufacturer's manual and tires should be inflated correctly at all times. If a timer is installed, a hot water heater will use less water because the water temperature will be ready when needed. Electrical fencing can also be altered to run on solar energy.
  
  

Lighting

• It is better to utilize t8 florescent lighting in barns than the standard incandescent option. Using equipment that dims the lighting and motion-sensitive lighting is another great energy saving tip for the farm.
  
  

Insulation

• Insulation is just as important to energy conservation in farm buildings as it is in a house. Every entrance and window should be sealed tightly and ventilation should be abundant in barns with livestock in them. All water lines should be properly insulated and each building should have a ventilated fan that is free of debris. A good heating alternative for farms is the use of shelled corn instead of gas.