Electricity used to run irrigation pumps is often a large contributor to total energy use on farms.

Ensuring your irrigation system is operating as efficiently as possible may reduce overall energy costs and can result in water savings and application efficiency. Below are some energy and water saving ideas.

Improvements that qualify for an Irrigation Efficiency Menu incentive:

• Make needed sprinkler system repairs such as replacing worn nozzles and worn sprinkler heads
• Replace worn and leaking wheel line levelers
• Replace leaking wheel line hubs on Thunderbird® wheel lines
• Replace plugged or worn out low-pressure pivot regulators and sprinkler heads
• Minimize system leakage by replacing gaskets, riser caps, and repairing leaking pipe.

*Note: Most irrigation components are rated for approximately five years before they begin to wear out and leak.

Improvements that qualify for an Irrigation Efficiency Custom incentive:

• Changing from a system that requires high pressure (greater than 55 psi) to a system that requires low pressure (less than 55 psi)
• Consider installing new, more energy efficient equipment, such as high efficiency motors with improved bearings and other up-to-date design technologies
• Ensure motors are correctly rated for the specific load usage
• Minimize system leakage, especially if you have numerous connections
• Check that your pump and irrigation systems are running at recommended flow rates and pressure with the correct suction setup to be sure it's operating at the lowest horsepower requirement. Make sure you're not applying water at a rate that is higher than the soil can accept without run-off
• Make sure all your irrigation fittings and pipes are clean on the inside. Internal scum can increase friction and pumping costs. To reduce friction losses requiring higher pressure, replace old steel mainline with new plastic mainline.

Other ideas that can save water and reduce energy costs:

• Plant wind breaks to reduce evaporation in the fields
• Consider planting less water-intensive crops
• Use energy efficient water-conserving irrigation practices. Adopt irrigation scheduling methods and deficit irrigation practices to conserve water.

Idaho Power irrigation customers can also receive an incentive by enrolling in the Irrigation Peak Rewards program that turns off irrigation pumps on days when Idaho Power experiences high system loads. These incentives can be significant. We encourage you to learn about the program to see if it could work for you.

Visit www.idahopower.com/irrigation to learn more.