In a moderate climate, the best choice for keeping a greenhouse above freezing is a small electric heater. The most cost-effective way to operate is to aim the heater away from the door and place a small circulating fan at the opposite end of the greenhouse. The idea is to create a micro weather system where the air is always turning. It is important to keep the fan on even in winter as it will stop hot pockets from going up too high and keep the air circulating, which is critical for plants. This also reduces heat loss, and you’ll save money as you aren’t wasting the heat you are producing.
For larger greenhouses, small greenhouses in cold climates or orchid growers: high capacity electric or LP or Natural gas heaters. The capacity is dictated by the cold outside temp in nighttime, the desired nighttime minimum temperature in winter and the surface area square footage of the greenhouse and the glazing. We have a formula that provides the heating requirements for your greenhouse.
For Orchid Growers – backup generators are common or gas heating in the event of power outages. Portable camping heaters are also used in the event of power outages.
Yes, options include:
Radiant baseboard heating is ideal. In-floor heating should be used cautiously, as it can damage plant roots if it’s the only heat source.
Yes, particularly for large-scale or new construction projects. It’s energy-efficient and sustainable.
Use included automatic roof vents, add shade cloth, install side vents, louvered windows, or use ceiling fans and exhaust systems. In hotter regions, evaporative coolers or shade trellises can help.
Passive cooling is more economical and energy efficient and very popular with the green movement when using convection theories. Louvered windows and side vents work well to aid passive cooling in this regard.
Larger Greenhouses, greater than 160 sq. ft., often do well with an exhaust fan system to forcibly exchange the hot inside air with fresh, cooler outside air.
Mechanized exhaust fan systems and passive cooling do not work well together. The fan will just pull from the closest source.
It’s important to note that in winter you would not want to rely on mechanized exhaust fan systems as you could be pumping in cool or freezing air which would be disastrous for plants.
They contain a wax-filled cylinder that expands with heat, opening the vent automatically. An actuator allows some control over the degree of opening.
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