To maintain the optimal temperature in the greenhouse, different heating systems are used. The choice of the method depends on a large number of different factors - financial capabilities, dimensions of the building, climatic conditions of the region, etc. Some craftsmen manage to independently make a heated greenhouse, significantly reducing the cost of materials and wages.
What is greenhouse heating for?
Growing crops in greenhouses requires heating. Cold structures have a rather limited use, in contrast to places equipped with a heating system. If you start heating the greenhouse already in April, the seasonal work of the summer resident will be extended by three months. In this case, you can plant seedlings much earlier and collect the first crop in June. With this approach, there will be plenty of time for a second and possibly even a third crop.
Mediterranean and tropical plants must grow in well-heated rooms throughout the year. Greenhouses made from the most expensive and insulating materials still need heating to keep the temperature above freezing with the arrival of cold weather.
Greenhouse heating methods
There are several ways to heat a greenhouse. To choose the most suitable one, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of each and the possibility of implementation in a particular case.
Solar accumulators
To heat the greenhouse without gas and electricity, without spending fabulous sums, it is recommended to pay attention to the use of solar batteries. This method is easy to implement and budgetary.
You will need to dig a hole approximately 20 cm deep, cover with a heat insulator and plastic wrap, a layer of coarse wet sand and a layer of soil. This combination of segments allows the accumulation and storage of heat energy. The only drawback of this method is the limited temperature range. If the outside temperature drops below 10 degrees, heating inside the room will not be enough and the plants will suffer.
Air heating
A very simple way to implement. You will need a piece of pipe made of high quality steel. One end of it is led into the greenhouse, and the other is led out into the street. Under the street end, with the arrival of cold weather, you need to light a fire. Through the pipe, warm air will penetrate into the room.
The disadvantage of the air method is that you need to constantly keep the fire burning. In some cases, this is inconvenient and dangerous.
Gas heating
Heating a greenhouse with gas has many advantages. There is only one drawback, but a significant one - high cost. In order to save money, some people use gas cylinders. When heated by gas, carbon dioxide is released into the air, which inhibits the vital activity of plants. It must be disposed of with a good ventilation system.
Furnace heating system
To use such a heating system, a vestibule is required. A brick oven with a chimney and a chimney is laid in it. It is recommended to heat it with wood.
Electric heating water heating
In financial terms, such a heating system is the most economical and profitable.The stores have a large selection of electric heating appliances, you can also make them yourself with your own hands.
If you decide to make the device yourself, you will need water pipes, heating elements and an old fire extinguisher. The last segment will play the role of a hull system, for this you need to cut off its upper part, place the heating element inside and fit the water pipes.
The heater heats the water, and it gives off its heat to the room air. As soon as the room temperature reaches the set point, the sensor will automatically work and the system will temporarily turn off.
Solid fuel boiler
A solid fuel boiler is a type of water heating. This technique is considered universal because it is economical, easy to implement and easy to use. The unit can be installed outside the premises or in the vestibule of the greenhouse. Fuel must be added no more than 3 times a day; the system is equipped with a sensor that automatically turns off the boiler when the preset temperature in the room is reached.
A solid fuel heating system is a safe technology that does not require constant supervision.
How to choose the best option
The next step is to find the fencing factor. It is equal to the ratio of the area of translucent greenhouse structures to the floor area. Example: k = 1000/750 = 1.3, then Q = k * based on data from the standards = 1.3 * 388. = 517.3 W / m2. In the end, it remains to find out the total heat loss. To do this, the specific 517.3 W / m2 is multiplied by the area of the polycarbonate greenhouse (750 m2): 700 * 517.3 = 362110 W or 362.1 kW.
To select a boiler that is suitable in terms of power, it is enough to multiply the obtained heat loss indicators by the safety factor. Whichever heat source is chosen, it should not work constantly at maximum power, this will negatively affect its working capacity and the duration of its operational life. For greenhouses built of glass or polycarbonate, the safety factor is at least 1.3, and covered with plastic wrap - at least 1.5.
When choosing solid fuel boilers, it is better to give preference to models of long burning with one and a half power reserve and optimal dimensions of the firebox. This will allow you to approach the unit as little as possible and monitor its operation.
There are a large number of different heating methods, each of which has many individual characteristics and nuances in work. The summer resident must choose what suits him in terms of quality and price factor. If there are difficulties in choosing, it is better to first consult with people who are experienced in these matters.
