Temperature changes several times a day. And during the night, it could really drop to a low level that may not be healthy for plants. Thus, to keep the temperature at a suitable level for a successful plant growth, greenhouse heaters are needed. In choosing the right greenhouse heater, you must take into consideration not only the capability of having a good temperature during cold, winter nights, but also the costs to be incurred in installing and running it.
Kinds of Greenhouse Heaters
- Electric heaters. This kind of heater is most suitable for smaller greenhouse structures. Electric heaters can efficiently maintain specified temperature levels. These do not produce any fumes and there is no further need for ventilation when these heaters are being used.
- Gas heaters. Since these heaters are fuelled either by natural gas or bottled ones, they can be less efficient that the electric heaters. Their waste products due to combustion are discharged into the greenhouse and ventilation is required when they are in use. Also, these heaters should be placed in a safe location and need constant monitoring and replacement.
- Paraffin heaters. This kind of heaters is the most basic among the three. Paraffin heaters need constant refilling and wick-trimming. They also need fuel to run, thus, fumes are again discharged into the greenhouse and would need ventilation. However, paraffin heaters can reduce the risk of frost damage and act as emergency standby.
Heater Mounting
- Hanging. These heaters are mounted directly to the ceiling or hung from it. It is advantageous to use because of less floor space consumed. They should just be hung high enough as to not be an obstruction.
- Wall. This type of heaters is mounted directly to the wall and vent towards the outside of the greenhouse. No floor space is required but the area in front of them should be clear.
- Floor. This type is not mounted as they have their own stand and can be placed anywhere on the floor of the greenhouse. That is the disadvantage of this type because it occupies a lot of space.
Heater Combustion
- Open. This kind of heater uses air inside the greenhouse for combustion. As long as the air does not have contaminants in it, this will work just fine. Flammable liquids should not be placed near an open combustion heater, though, because its burner is not sealed.
- Separated. A gas heater uses this kind of combustion mechanism wherein it uses the air outside the greenhouse for combustion. Its burner is also sealed to trap all the air in from outside of the greenhouse. The exhaust pipe is run to the outside of the structure.
- Sealed. This kind is a lot similar to the separated combustion type. The burner is completely sealed inside and there is no access to air inside the building. Sealed combustion heaters use direct vent both for exhaust and intake.
Heater Vents
- Unvented. Being unvented heaters, combustion-produced gases are directly released to the heated area. Unvented heaters are only for temporary use because of the sensitivity of some plants.
- Gravity. The exhausted air from this type of heater should rise through the pipe and released outside, thus, the vents should be vertical. The air expelled must be replaced by outside air.
- Power. These power vented heaters have a blower that pushes air through the pipe and outside the structure. The vents may be arranged vertically or horizontally, and the vent pipes are smaller making it more efficient.
- Direct. This kind of venting is special to sealed combustion types. It has only one vent pipe with both the inlet and exhaust; one pipe is inside the other. The amount of air that leaves the pipe is the same amount that it pulls as intake. There is no additional air outside needed to replace the expelled air.
Another thing to consider in a greenhouse heater is its output range or the measure of the heat output. You can ask your nearby greenhouse store to check out your needed output range based on the area of your greenhouse and other factors. There are also web sites that can do the computation for you.
There are definitely several kinds of greenhouse heaters to choose from. For you to decide on which one to purchase, it is best to first do an assessment of your current greenhouse structure and its needs. You can also ask advice from experts in building and maintaining greenhouses for better results.
Most homes have a front lawn or a backyard with trees and grass. The person can easily make a few changes then it will be better than it was before. A good hobby that some individuals have taken in the spare time is gardening and the same thing can be done if one decides to have a greenhouse.
The first thing that needs to be done is assess the area where the greenhouse will be. If there is not that much space in putting a free standing version, then perhaps attaching the greenhouse to the home is a good idea.
The first thing to be done is to measure the area. The greenhouse should have enough sunlight for the plants and shade when it gets too hot. This can be done by making some observations at different times of the day.
The home may be affected by the cold climate or the heat during the summer. Preparations need to be done to install and heater and a ventilation system which could to counter the threat and make the flowers grow in the greenhouse.
The kind of heater to be used for a greenhouse can be powered by electricity since the area isn’t that big. Getting something like those that use oil or gas may only be needed if the structure is expanded.
Both systems will provide the gardener sufficient oxygen and carbon dioxide that is needed for the plant to grow.
Another way of giving plants enough space to grow is the type of panels used for the greenhouse. Since plants need sunlight to grow, the type of material used for the windows and ceiling are important.
Traditionally, glass can do the job but some studies have shown that too much sunlight passes through and kills the plants. To avoid this, panels made of film, plastic or Plexiglas is much better.
The greenhouse should also use the ideal kind of flowers that will survive the climate. The person can ask the sales representative at the gardening store or look at the label posted on each plant before buying and bringing it home.
When everything is ready, the person has two options. The first is draw the design then go to a supplier who can do that or go directly to the contractor to make a drawing then have it made.
If the person doesn’t have an idea where to start, one can look at how the other people who do this as a hobby in the neighborhood do it. The person can also visit the arboretum or look at gardening magazines just to get an idea what kind of greenhouse is best for the home.
The soil in that part of the house should be prepared before construction is under way. Basically, this is just to enclose the area so it is alright if there are plants in the site already.
The greenhouse can later be improved to not only have soil but have water at all times that will enhance the plants growth. This technique which is done by farmers to increase crop production is called hydroponics farming.
When the gardener, has enough money, soil can be changed to water channels that release water mixed with nutrients to the plants. There are various ways to do this and doing some research on the way this can be implanted will get the gardener moving on the right track.
Another thing needed to properly work in the greenhouse is having the right equipment. This can easily be purchased at the local gardening store and these should be stored properly when not in use.
It will be a good idea to have this locked to prevent children from playing with it and accidents from happening.
Gardening doesn’t always have to be done by a professional. The person can do in a creative way to make the house stand out. By doing some research first before having it installed, the place will really look great when construction has been completed.
By knowing the proper techniques in maintaining the greenhouse and planting the right flowers, this place will be another room that will really make the individual feel at home.
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