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O'Keeffe's Dairy Farm
Case Studies

Posted on April 24, 2025

O'Keeffe's Dairy Farm

Read Time

3 Minutes

Flogas LPG hot water heating solution for Kilkenny dairy farmer

 

The Dairy Farm Challenge

 

Bill O'Keeffe's farm in Co. Kilkenny is home to the prize-winning Churchclara herd of pedigree British Friesians. With 180 milking cows, Bill was using large volumes of hot water to wash a 20 unit milking parlour daily and the 11,500 litre milk storage tank up three times a week. A reliable hot water supply is vital for the effective cleaning of milk lines and storage tanks as well as controlling the Total Bacteria Count (TBC) of the milk produced.

 

Mark Murphy, a local independent gas installer recommended an LPG powered system and Flogas Energy Solutions Team travelled to Kilkenny for a site visit.

"We had electric heaters to heat water which was being used throughout the day and reheating on day rate electricity. Like most dairy farmers, hot water accounts for about 30% of my energy bills so I was looking for some way to reduce that cost."

- Bill O'Keeffe

O'Keeffe's farm, Co. Kilkenny

The Flogas Solution

 

A 56kW wall-mounted Andrews Fastflo external water heater was installed and connected to a Flogas LPG bulk tank sited nearby. The new Andrews instant hot water system powered by Flogas LPG can now deliver 70 litres of hot water at 80°C in seven minutes.

"I now have instant hot water at whatever temperature I need whenever I need it so hot water storage costs are eliminated. I only pay for what I use and the new cost is equivalent to night rate electricity which is far cheaper than before."

- Bill O'Keeffe

O'Keeffe's Dairy Farm

"Once the tank is sited, it's usually only a day to install and commission the actual water heater," said Mark Murphy of Heat Services Network. "It's an easy enough installation to do for 90% of farms as you are hooking up to existing pipework so no major changes are needed."

- Bill O'Keeffe

O'Keeffe's Dairy Farm

"The problem that many dairy farmers have is that the truck which comes to empty the milk storage tank every couple of days can arrive at any time. Hot water is needed straightaway to do the wash. It puts a lot of pressure on the current electric immersion system. With the new Flogas LPG-powered system on Bill's farm, this is no longer an issue."

- Tommy Murray of Flogas

O'Keeffe's Dairy Farm

When you think electricity, think Flogas

Call Flogas for your free on-site survey and quotation

 

As an energy solutions specialist, Flogas can design and implement a complete turnkey solution for your needs so why not avail of a no- obligation free survey from us or our network of Flogas approved and RGII/Gas Safe Registered installers nationwide? We'll analyse your existing energy costs and outline the benefits and savings you'll enjoy by converting to Flogas LPG. 
To find out what we can do for you, contact us on 041 214 9600.

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