Innovative Grower Leads the Charge on Efficient Heating Practices

Proving that you don't need to be a big player to make a difference, K&L Nurseries in Christchurch have been recognised for their efforts to become more Energy Efficient by installing a state-of-the-art boiler which utilises the greenhouse waste from the growing operation to heat the facility effectively from it's own waste product.

The EECA Energy Efficiency Awards took place on 28th May in Auckland, a biennial event designed to recognise excellence in energy savings 'beyond the basics'. Competition is to a high standard, attracting a record 150 entries in 2014. K&L Nurseries, a Christchurch-based Gerbera grower, took out the Business Excellence and Supreme Awards, a fantastic achievement.

K&L's innovation involved a switch from an older coal-based heating system to a new biomass boiler sourced from Austria, the first of it's kind to be installed in New Zealand. The change has resulted in many benefits to the business both commercial and environmental. The change over has resulted in a saving of $100,000 per annum in energy costs, reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 3,500 tonnes and enabled the use of 100 tonnes of green waste per annum as fuel, producing in turn non-toxic ash which has further utility as a fertiliser.