Establishing a baseline for energy-efficient climate adaptations in a typical Swedish pig facility

Abstract

A facility for growing fattening pigs was investigated for building properties, energy use, and indoor climate in a cold-climate region to establish a baseline that supports future energy-efficient climate adaptation in pig buildings. The building under study was insulated and used mechanical ventilation, with air supplied through an uninsulated attic. Energy use for heating and ventilation, air temperature and humidity were recorded on 36 winter days and 35 summer days. Indoor climate conditions were within the thermal neutral zone (TNZ) 99% of the time during the winter, requiring 2 575 kWh of thermal energy and electricity for the exhaust air fan. In summer, the indoor climate conditions were within TNZ 89% of the time, requiring 378 kWh for the exhaust air fan. In winter, energy use was dominated by thermal energy. Furthermore, results show that the supply air was preheated diurnally in the attic. When supply air from the attic was warmer than indoor air, increased ventilation also increased the heat load. To avoid heat stress under current and more extreme weather conditions in the future, alternative intakes, such as wall inlets, may provide better conditions unless attic air temperatures are reduced before the air reaches the animals.