News > A Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions – Agricultural Livestock Waterer

A Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions – Agricultural Livestock Waterer

December 2023

Throughout 2023, Stearns Electric will be featuring residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural EnergyWise programs, rebates and other cost and energy saving features in our Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions. In December, we are featuring member Czech Dairy and Agricultural Livestock Waterers.

Member Interview

CZECH DAIRY
Members since 1991

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO INSTALL AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT CATTLE WATERER?
When we built our new cattle barn in 2021, we installed our new energy-efficient waterers along with two smaller ones in an older barn. It gave us more flexibility not having to thaw water in the winter as the old waterers were steel.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST BENEFIT OF USING THE NEW WATERERS?
The time savings from not having to thaw the water when it gets really cold. We now have up to an hour of time back that we can use for more important tasks on the farm.

ARE THERE ANY INCONVENIENCES OF USING THE NEW WATERERS?
The initial cost of installing the new waterers was really the only inconvenience, but that investment has now paid for itself.

HOW MUCH DID YOU RECEIVE IN REBATES?
We received a rebate of $75 per waterer installed.

HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU SAVED?
For the specific waterer we have, we pay about half of what we did previously with the old waterer, which is a savings of approximately $35 per month.

HOW MUCH ENERGY HAVE YOU SAVED?
We save nearly 125W of energy per heating hour as the heating element in the new waterer operates with a lower heating element wattage.

Agricultural Livestock Waterer

The Agricultural Livestock Waterer Rebate is for the installation of insulated or energy-free livestock waterers in place of standard electric waterers. Livestock waterers provide fresh water in a trough but keeps the water fresh and clean by limiting the amount of water allowed to sit in the trough when not in use.

REBATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Evaluation must be complete before funds will be issued for the rebate.
• Members and vendors must submit itemized equipment invoices, rebate applications and manufacturer equipment specifications.
• The Cooperative reserves the right to conduct random inspections of installations.
• Rebates must be applied for within 12 months of invoice date.
• Project must comply with all program-specific rules and qualifications. The member is responsible for checking with the Cooperative to determine funding and availability to verify program parameters.

*The maximum rebate shall not exceed 25% of materials cost OR project cost, up to $10,000 per member.

Stearns Electric offers residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural rebates for our member-consumers. By upgrading to more efficient equipment and enrolling in our EnergyWise programs, you will save money and energy every month. Contact Stearns Electric at (800) 962-0655 for more information.

Click to see the full December Innovative Energy Solutions feature here.