Heating The Greenhouse

[NancyH]

Hi, it's been a long time sice I was on your site. I live in central California 10 miles from the coast in the coastal mountain range. I have a 9x12 green house covered in Lexan with a extra layer on the side walls. I have put bubble wrap on the interior of the ceiling to help with the insulation. I run a fan a few hours of the day (I have a solar fan that kicks in when the sun is out and hits the panels) and a electric heater that is set to come on when the temp in the greenhouse reaches 57. I just got my electric bill and OUCH!!! Way worse than last year. I use a Venado electric heater. Does anyone have a better idea for the heat? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Nancy

[Anton]

I use an oil filled radiator type heater that I have on a digital timer.

[solay]

I know what you mean. Our bill was $200 more last month than usual. My husband is about to have me get rid of my G/H and I just got it. I ordered bubble wrap but it's on back order until mid February. There's gotta be a better way.

[Brooke]

Solay have you thought of the swimming pool solar cover? Many folks back here in the tundra use it to insulate their g/h's. The other option is regular bubble wrap used for packing. Some swear it lasts as long as the other bubble wrap but I don't use either one. Did you check FarmTek.com for the insulation?

Propane or natural gas is a much cheaper way to heat a g/h after you invest in the heater and have it vented.

Good luck - I know electric heat is expensive.

Brooke

[lmartiny]

I have a friend in Orlando who has many plants and does quite well with her orchids too. Years ago, during a cold snap, they draped a tarp over a line and made a tent. They put 55 gal drums inside that they filled with water. The drums of water absorbed some of the cold and kept it warmer. Then, you can recycle the water to water plants.

[davetheorchidaddict]

I have used several different electrical heaters both 110 and 220 types with some success in my 12 x12 gh, the main problem was the inability to get temperatures down low enough at night. Last summer I heard about a Quartz Infrared Heater which was surpose to be more economical so I tried one and am quite satisfied with the results and the orchids seem to like it because more of them are bloomng than in the past.

[solay]

I ordered the bubble wrap already and some sort of foil type thingy that's for G/H insulation. I'm waiting for them to come in. As for the heater, I bought a 220v electric heater that hasn't been installed yet since we haven't gotten an electrician to put in the outlet.
I've been using an indoor dish type heater I bought form Costco for now. I think maybe that's the problem. It's not very efficient. I hope the insulation will cut my heating down. I mean way down!

The water drums sounds interesting but I don't have room in my small G/H. The tarp would work but what about the sun light? Maybe a clear tarp?

[NancyH]

Hi Guys, thanks for responding. Dave, I see that you are in Florida. What does the temp drop to in the night. Here it will get into the low 30's. Is your heater on a thermostat? Anton, I considered an oil heater, but was worried about the efficiency as it takes a while for it to heat up. Have you used the reg. heaters and was there a big positive change in your electric bill? I think either Farm Tech or Charlie's Greenhouse has a single clear cover you can drape over the greenhouse. I am going to do a little research and see what I can find for what price. At this rate I will be saving $ with some other improvements cover wise. Happy Growing! Nancy

[davetheorchidaddict]

Nancy, the one that I purchased just has 5 settings which seem to work well, I got it from The EdenPURE GEN3 Quartz Infrared Portable Heater they have a larger one that has the thermostate but the one I got works well for me. The temperature tonight and tomorrow night is to get into the twenties, these are not normal occurances for us most of the time we get temps in the low 30's for a few nights each year but we start warming up next month and in March I should be back in the pool.

[slippery_biscuit]

Solay, the dish type is definitely not the way to go. Those infrared heaters are designed to warm the objects in front of them, not heat a room. Think of them as an instant, on-demand type of service. You'll do much better with the 220v heater installed (assuming it is going to provide warm air).

NancyH, I have a 220v heater (approx 2400 watts) heating my 8x12 greenhouse that is covered with twinwall polycarbonate. It has been in the 20's here near Seattle and the temp holds to the mid fifties inside. My target winter nightime low is about 58 degrees, so it is working great. No idea what the cost is per month. But I do know that it is drawing half of what a 110v heater would.

[Anton]

This is the type of heater I am using at present, but will be too small in my new GH.

It's a Dimplex oil filled column radiator.

Adjustable thermostat control
Frost guard setting
Overheat protection
High quality construction with tough durable finish
Carry handle
Power settings: 1,500 W
Voltage: 230V/240V 50Hz
Continuous adjustable thermostat
Supplied with approx. 1.6m of approved flex
Dimensions(mm):
Free standing: 360(h) x 310(w) 140(d)
Weight: 4.4kg (approx.)
Fitted with thermal cut out for extra safety

I have it connected to a digital timer to come on in the early evening and turn off once the sun has risen and starting to warm the GH.

[NancyH]

Hi Dave, I ordered the Eden Pure heater like yours. I see in the news that is has been cold in Florida. Anyway, I will be curious to see what difference there will be in my electric bill. I will let you all know after I use the new heater for a month or two. Happy growing! Nancy

[davetheorchidaddict]

NancyH, that is a mild statement about it getting cold here, the night before last it got down to 19 which is real cold to me. My heater kept the interior of the gh at 47, which I am satisified with that. I have been able to get it down to 50 to 55 most of the cool nights and have more orchids in bloom than I have ever had at this time of the year, even some that have never bloomed. I am thrilled because I have a leafless reblooming which is a first for me. I really feel that heater is the main reason.

[NancyH]

Hi Dave, Got the heater. I started it right after I received my last electric bill (Ouch!!!) It will be interesting to see any change in the bill. Do you really let your greenhouse get down to 47? My lowest is about 56. I have an automatic thermostat that turns on the heater automatically to keep the low. Maybe you have orchids that are more cool growing. I have such a hodge podge from warm growers to cooler growers. I have them in zones as far as temp. goes, but 47 seems so low I would be afraid they would all turn to mush.

[solay]

Thanks Slippery Biscuit. I do have a 220v greenhouse heaterI bought a while back but have not gotten the chance to get an outlet installed for it. Hope to get that going by next winter. The dish was a "just for now" solution that turned out to be way too expensive.
Now the weather is getting warmer so not sure if I should put up the bubble wrap and insulation.
NancyH, I'm interested in seeing how much of a difference your heating bill will be with the new heater. I may be looking for a new one myself if the 220v one ends up costing too much next winter.

[NancyH]

Hi Solay, I have my greenhouse bubble wrapped also. It was a pain, but I do think it helps. When constructing I should have splurged for the twin wall or tripple wall, but because I live in a more temprate climate I thought I would not have this problem. I will let you know aboutthe bill.