Energy For Golf Courses

How golf clubs save electricity – fast!

The fastest way for golf courses to save electricity is to shop around for more competitive tariffs once your existing energy contract is coming to an end. Although this can yield significant savings, the process can be time-consuming for already-stretched golf course managers.

This is where an expert energy broker can help. The experienced consultants at Smarter Business help golf courses manage, monitor, and save on their energy costs. With our level of expertise; strength of supplier relationships; leading-edge technology; and range of fixed, flexible, and bespoke products, we are able to source the most competitive energy pricing for your needs.

Efficient energy for golf courses saves money and makes for greener businesses

Running a golf course is an energy-intensive process, with irrigation systems to run, charging of golf carts, lighting and clubhouse facilities such as kitchens, geysers, and heated pools. Energy for golf courses should not be overlooked as a necessary expense, since savings of up to 40% can be achieved by migrating to a new contract and reducing energy consumption. The more efficiently a course can be operated and the more it can save on energy tariffs, the more profitable it can become. By securing the best utilities contracts, savvy course owners and managers stand to save on energy for golf courses. But the process of shopping the market and comparing quotes is a time-consuming one, and many already-stretched managers of golf courses simply don’t have the time to shop around for potential energy savings. This is where Smarter Business comes in.

When Smarter Business takes on gas and electricity for golf courses, we ensure that the courses under our care are on the best energy rates for their particular needs. Taking your energy usage into consideration, we are able to advise on:

• The right supplier, tariffs and contract terms for your course
• Energy-efficient technology to help you reduce energy consumption
• The process of migrating to a new energy contract
• Negotiations with suppliers on your behalf

If your energy contract is set for renewal or is coming to an end within the next six months, now is the time to take the first step in securing a cheaper contract.

How can golf clubs save electricity in more ways?

With the energy-intensive process of keeping a golf course running, energy cost savings can make a big difference in freeing up extra funds. The more efficiently a course can be operated, the more profitable it can become.

What uses the most electricity?

Both the clubhouse and the course maintenance are energy-intensive.

• Irrigation
• Water management
• Lighting
• Golf cart charging
• Clubhouse facilities such as kitchens, lighting, geysers, heated pools

3 ways golf clubs save electricity

1. Use less energy

Involve key club officials and staff members in a discussion about where energy can be saved, identifying both problems and opportunities.
Key questions:

• Where is energy currently being wasted?
• Do we need to do any maintenance or repair work to reduce energy costs?
• Where do we need to spend some money in the short-term to improve energy efficiency in the long run?
• Where is there a need for capital investment to improve energy efficiency?

2. Pay less for electricity

Your golf course could be stuck on an energy contract that isn’t giving the best price for the energy you use. With a growing, competitive energy market, shopping the market and comparing golf course electricity quotes can show you some impressive savings. Switching to a new energy provider is simpler than you think, and can results in savings of up to 40% on your energy costs.

3. Golf clubs save electricity by design

It’s not always easy to retrograde existing infrastructure for energy efficiency, but new golf courses have significant opportunities to exploit the latest energy conservation developments. For example, simply reducing by the exposure of the clubhouse building to the elements, golf clubs save electricity in the long-term.

Other energy-efficient considerations for golf courses:

• Plan the course to fit as closely as possible with the existing landform to lower the energy costs of the golf course’s construction.
• Use local suppliers avoid long-distance transportation.
• Non-playing areas should be low-maintenance (preferably indigenous) vegetation to reduce energy associated with maintaining the area.

What about water for golf courses?

Efficient golf course water management is a top priority for water-intensive golf courses. Golf courses can save a lot of money by both minimising water use, and through smart water resourcing.

Many golf clubs rely on expensive mainswater to irrigate their golf courses. But using this drinking-quality water is a waste of resources and energy, since lower quality water would be sufficient for irrigation services.

So what are the alternatives for golf course water management?

The most common savings opportunities come in the form of alternatives to mainswater. The most suitable option for your golf course’s water will depend on your unique environment and budget.

Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting involves the collection and storage of water that falls on areas of the golf course where runoff can easily be collected, such as the carpark or golf club buildings. Although setup can be expensive, rainwater harvesting leads to greatly reduced long-term water costs. It also has a more favourable environmental footprint than mainswater, since energy is not being wasted in the treatment of the water.

Water abstraction

Underground water – The abstraction of groundwater involves installing a borehole and pumping system to make use of water stored underground. The use of this method is area-specific, as your course will need to have suitable rock beneath it.
Surface water – Water can also be abstracted directly from water sources above ground, such as lakes and river.
The installation of any water abstraction system needs to follow strict controls and legal requirements to ensure that removal of water from the natural environment will not have a negative impact.

Greywater systems

A greywater system reuses water that has been used for another purpose, but has a low contamination level. This water can be used for irrigation with minimal to no treatment beforehand.
Greywater sources:

• Showers
• Sinks
• Washing machines

For most golf courses, greywater from these sources won’t be sufficient for irrigation purposes. However, it can be used effectively in the clubhouse to flush toilets etc. In larger golf developments, using greywater for irrigation may be a feasible option.

Like most golf course water management systems to move off mainswater, installing a greywater system will require high short-term investment. However, it will result in reduced water costs in the long-term.

Why Smarter Business?

Smart energy usage translates into smart management of your golf course. Our Smarter Business services are designed to come up with the most effective utilities strategy to save you money:

• By looking at your existing contract, we can quickly identify instances of overcharging.
• We will source and compare quotes from different suppliers, securing you the best deals and implementing an electricity and water strategy to help you maximise the cost-effectiveness of your utilities.
• We can install smart meters and data solution technologies to identify other areas of potential savings and efficiency.

And efficient energy strategy for golf courses is just the starting point. With our comprehensive service, Smarter Business can also take care of your waste management and water services. Our team pride themselves on their expertise across the utilities management function, living up to our mission to provide a whole-of-market business comparison service, maximise savings and improve our clients’ profitability.

Speak to one of our specialist energy for golf courses consultants