What You Need to Know about Greenhouse Heaters

Heaters extend the use of the greenhouse in times when cold might prevent plant growth. When combined with grow lights, heaters can encourage some plants to provide crops year round. This can be a source of income for some people, as they can sell extra produce that is off-season at a premium price to local restaurants and stores.

• A heater is also vital for maintaining the ideal temperature for certain exotic plants, like orchids, or growing fruits out of their preferred environment, as in the case of citrus or pineapple.
• Both fruit type have been successfully grown in greenhouses for centuries.
• There is no question about it, a green house heater is one of the most essential greenhouse accessories.

Four things you should know to determine the correct greenhouse heater, are the total square feet of exposed surface area.

Many greenhouse sellers offer free greenhouse area calculators to help calculate the amount for you, they also offer deals on greenhouse accessories, for buying multiple products or combinations of products.

• You will need to know the lowest expected temperature for your climate.
• The USDA puts out a zone map with this information.
• If you know what crops you are growing then you should know what the internal temperature is that you need to maintain to keep the plants from being impacted by the cold.
• You will also need to know the heat loss value for the covering on your greenhouse.
• Your information given to you with the greenhouse should include an R-value. The heat loss value is one over the R-value.

Heaters can be used to heat greenhouses, cold frames, high tunnels, garages, and other spaces.

You can find Modine, tube, portable, radiant, infrared, forced air, steam, and many other types of heaters.

• These typically run on electric, propane, or natural gas. Portable heaters are great for small hobby greenhouses.
• Larger greenhouses might need a steam heater hung from the ceiling.
• Commercial forced air heaters best for important greenhouse use, like growing orchids and such.

Smaller spaces can be heated with portable heaters.

• They come in both electric and propane. Modine units deliver a good range of heat while staying lightweight.
• They can be suspended easily and installation is as simple as connecting up the power supply.
• They cone in HER horizontal or VE vertical delivery styles.

Medium sized rooms can use the same Modine heater or a Radiant heater.

• These will not heat up the entire space, but can provide extra spot heating for areas that require it.
• Hot Dawg heaters and gas heaters provide more heat then a Modine unit and run on either propane or natural gas.

Larger greenhouses will need larger heaters, like the Oil fired or separated combustion heaters.

Oil fired heaters work in places where electric, propane, and natural gas are not available. Separated combustion heaters draw air from outside to maintain safety where there might be explosive chemicals about.

Select your greenhouse heater with care, working with a professional that can assist you in finding the most economical choice for fuel, the correct amount of heat for the space you have, and the right type of heat for the plants you grow. Doing this will ensure that your heater nearly pays for itself in increased produce from your greenhouse.