Upgrading your milk chilling system is about more than just compliance. It’s also about cutting running costs, reducing repairs, protecting every litre of milk you produce, and keeping your farm sustainable for the long term.
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Upgrading your milk chilling system is about more than just compliance. It’s also about cutting running costs, reducing repairs, protecting every litre of milk you produce, and keeping your farm sustainable for the long term.
Are milk cooling costs impacting your margins? For many farmers, milk cooling is one of the biggest electricity expenses on the farm – it can make up to 40% of your total dairy shed power bill. With energy costs climbing, older or inefficient chillers are not sustainable.
Modern Coolcare milk chillers are designed to change that. Using advanced technology, they can cut energy use by up to 30%1 while producing free hot water2 for your dairy operation too. For farms that rely on multiple hot water cylinders to keep daily operations on track, the potential energy savings represent a significant boost to their bottom line.
Canterbury farmer Ashley Sheriff knows the benefits first-hand.
“We’re saving around $700 a month on power and hot water. The system runs smoothly, and we haven’t had a single cooling issue since we upgraded.”
Coolcare units snap-chill milk to 6°C before it reaches the vat. With efficient base chilling and built-in monitoring, the system keeps energy use low, milk quality high, and gives farmers confidence in their daily operations. Older systems, by contrast, rely on slower vat base chilling – using more power and risking missed milk cooling targets that can lead to deductions or lost Co-operative Difference payments.
Coolcare milk chillers incorporate built-in monitoring and telemetry systems. These units track various parameters throughout the process, including compressor performance, vat temperature, and f low rates. Equipped with over 60 sensors, the system is designed to identify potential issues early and notify the local dealer for attention.
“It’s like having a technician watching your chiller around the clock. That peace of mind is huge during the peak summer months,” Colin Allen from Coolcare explains.
Don’t stress about hot summers, higher milk flows or warmer nights putting extra pressure on older chillers. Even well maintained systems can struggle, leading to longer chilling times, breakdowns, and rising repair costs.
Allan Steele from Coolcare says repairs or maintenance costs are climbing across the board.
“Farmers upgrading to Coolcare systems are seeing lower power bills, fewer callouts, and reduced parts replacements. That’s where the real savings stack up.”
Allan Steele
Coolcare
Upgrading also future-proofs systems. Many traditional milk chillers use R404A gas, which is being phased out. Replacement costs have risen in recent years. Coolcare systems use modern refrigerants that won’t be phased out, exceed NZCP1 regulations, and deliver environmental benefits with fourth generation refrigerants that significantly reduce emissions.
Fonterra’s and Coolcare’s Pay-As- You-Save Programme (PAUS) makes upgrading simple. Leasing options allow farmers to spread costs while enjoying immediate savings and efficiency improvements.
Colin says it’s a “no-brainer”.
“You’re spending smart - not just ticking a compliance box but improving your operation for the long run.”
If your chiller is showing its age, or you’ve had too many cooling issues this season, now’s the time to act. A modern Coolcare system doesn’t just chill your milk – it keeps your bottom line cool too!
Article supplied by Cool Care
1. Based on electricity savings of a standard DX milk chilling system with an energy efficiency rating of 2 compared to a Coolcare Varicool 2 system.
2. Coolcare milk chilling systems generate up to 500 litres of free 70°C hot water per hour.