Saving energy is an important issue these days. In the past, we thought our resources were endless. These days, we are much more aware of what our actions do to the climate. In early December, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) published its final report on the Covenant on Clean and Efficient Agricultural Sectors 2008 – 2020. It pointed out that total energy consumption in agriculture fell by 20% between 1990 and 2018.
Glasshouse horticulture is the main energy consumer but it has also cut back energy consumption most: by 22% in the last thirty years. That’s a major achievement. Consumption fell by 8% in the other agricultural sectors. The report focuses primarily on the energy transition, emphasising solar energy, geothermal energy, CHP and renewable energy in the form of biomass as important measures. It also discusses ways of saving energy such as insulation, energy screens, heat storage tanks and flue gas condensers.
I believe that the cultivation floor is one such energy-saving measure. A closed system of this kind eliminates the effect of moisture and cold from the subsurface. That certainly makes a difference to the gas bill. And on top of that, the right microclimate on the cultivation floor can also result in considerable energy savings. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen the windows wide open while the heating was going full blast to remove the excess moisture! A pure waste of energy!
The vertical drainage in our floors ensures a perfect microclimate. The floor is dry again very quickly after watering. So you don’t have to remove any remaining damp. Not only does that save on energy, it also keeps your crops stronger and vigorous. Whether you are working with pot and bedding plants, or vegetable plants, we have seen how every plant feels at home on the ErfGoedFloor. And that pays off in the result!
Personally, I am happy with all the attention for saving energy. When we see how the climate is changing, we can’t stand idly by. We have an enormous responsibility for the creation, which we only have on loan. And so, for ErfGoed, sustainability is a major guiding principle for the development of our products. For example, all the components of our floors can be used again. That was a deliberate decision.
The market is increasingly requiring products to be grown sustainably, taking people and the environment into account. With a cultivation floor from ErfGoed, you deliver vigorous plants and make major savings on energy. Aren’t you convinced? Let our people do the calculations for you sometime!
Feel free to call or email one of our specialists.