Alexei Volkov
With colder temperatures and shorter light hours, a greenhouse is essential for keeping your plants growing healthily. There are many ways to heat a greenhouse, but some materials, such as plastic sheeting, should be avoided as they amplify the cold. To maintain warmth, you should focus on reducing heat loss and increasing thermal mass. Insulating materials such as foam boards, double-layered plastic films, and bubble wrap can help prevent heat from escaping. Additionally, materials with high thermal mass, like soil, absorb and store heat during the day and slowly release it at night. For those in high-latitude and high-altitude areas, wood heat is a viable and cost-effective alternative to propane, gas, and petroleum products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Foam boards, double-layered plastic films, bubble wrap, horticultural fleece |
| Heating | Radiant heating, aquarium heaters, wood heat, soil heat storage |
| Design | Three solid walls with a fourth wall covered in transparent plastic film, thermal curtain system |
| Other | Keep out of prevailing wind, use accurate controller to minimize energy waste |
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What You'll Learn
- Use insulating materials like foam boards or double-layered plastic films
- Line the inside of the plastic with bubble wrap
- Use a thermal curtain system with climate screens
- Avoid using plastic sheeting or a tarp as it amplifies the cold
- Use a wood stove, but be cautious of the risk of melting or igniting the plastic
Use insulating materials like foam boards or double-layered plastic films
Insulating materials such as foam boards or double-layered plastic films are excellent ways to keep a plastic greenhouse warm. These materials act as an extra layer of insulation, preventing heat from escaping to the colder outdoors. Foam boards, for instance, are lightweight and economical, making them ideal for small greenhouses. They can be easily attached to the inner walls of the greenhouse, effectively maintaining the internal temperature and enhancing warmth during the winter. Although these boards might slightly reduce light transmission, the insulation benefits they provide during cold seasons are significant. For small or mini-greenhouses, you can conveniently remove and reinstall the foam boards as needed. For instance, you can take them down during sunny days to allow plants and soil to absorb heat and put them back at night to retain warmth.
Double-layered plastic films, on the other hand, are effective insulation solutions for medium-sized greenhouses. They are often used in conjunction with a thermal curtain system and climate screens, providing an energy-efficient and temperature-controlled environment. The curtains and screens can be adjusted according to different climate conditions, optimising energy use and creating a favourable environment for plant growth.
Bubble wrap is another innovative way to insulate your plastic greenhouse. By lining the inside of your plastic greenhouse with bubble wrap, you can preserve indoor heat while still allowing sunlight to pass through. This method makes perfect sense as the large bubbles of air in the bubble wrap act as insulation, trapping heat inside and keeping the greenhouse warm.
Horticultural fleece is a synthetic material made of polyester or polypropylene, resembling wool to the touch. It is a popular gardening fleece that provides additional protection to plants during cold seasons. Horticultural fleece can help shield plants from frost, ensuring their survival through harsh winters. It is lightweight and soft, allowing for easy cutting and reinforcement to prevent it from being blown away by strong winds.
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Line the inside of the plastic with bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is a great way to insulate your plastic greenhouse and keep it warm. The large bubbles of air in the wrap act as an insulating barrier, helping to prevent heat loss from the warm interior of the greenhouse. This is similar to how double glazing works.
Bubble wrap is also translucent, so it does not prevent sunlight from entering the greenhouse. This means that anything growing inside will still get plenty of light. The bubble wrap should be attached with sticky tape or plastic greenhouse pegs. It is easy to store, as it can be removed during the summer months and kept in a small space.
Bubble wrap insulation is not a perfect solution, as it is single-use plastic and will eventually need to be thrown away. It can also prevent humidity from escaping, so careful positioning of vents is required. Some people find it a lot of effort to install and remove, but it is a very cost-effective way of keeping a greenhouse warm.
Overall, lining the inside of your plastic greenhouse with bubble wrap is a great way to keep it warm during the winter months, especially if your greenhouse has a large percentage of its surface area comprised of glass.
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Use a thermal curtain system with climate screens
Thermal curtain systems, also known as climate screens, are an effective way to keep a plastic greenhouse warm. These curtains are made of closed-knit or close-weave fabrics that limit heat transfer with the outdoors and help retain heat during cold days and nights. They also prevent unwanted heat gains from the sun if used for shading during summer days.
The use of thermal curtains in greenhouses offers several benefits. Firstly, they provide insulation and reduce thermal losses, helping to maintain a more uniform temperature for the crops. This is especially beneficial during colder months when up to 80% of the heating demand may occur at night. By using thermal curtains, you can minimize energy consumption and reduce operating expenses.
Additionally, thermal curtains can be transparent, allowing maximum light transmission during the winter while providing insulation. Alternatively, they can have shading properties to prevent excessive light saturation during the summer, diffusing sunlight and reducing cooling loads. This shading feature is particularly useful for ornamentals and lettuce in moderate to warm climates.
The installation of two thermal curtains in a greenhouse is a common practice. The first curtain is typically an energy curtain that provides significant savings in heat, while the second curtain acts as a partial energy curtain or shade curtain, offering additional energy savings. This dual-curtain system enhances energy efficiency and often provides a return on investment within a few years.
When using thermal curtain systems, it is important to monitor the temperature above the screen to maintain stable conditions, especially during the active operation of equipment opening and closing. This practice ensures effective climate management and maximizes the benefits of the thermal curtains in your plastic greenhouse.
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Avoid using plastic sheeting or a tarp as it amplifies the cold
When looking for ways to keep a plastic greenhouse warm, it is important to remember that plastic sheeting or a tarp should not be used as a method. This is because, instead of warming up the greenhouse, these materials will amplify the cold and its effects.
There are several other ways to keep a plastic greenhouse warm that are more effective. One way is to use insulation to conserve heat without expending fuel. Bubble wrap can be used to line the inside of the plastic greenhouse, as the large bubbles of air can preserve indoor heat while letting sunlight through. For small or mini-greenhouses, foam boards can be used as an insulation option. They can be easily attached to the inner walls, maintaining the internal temperature and improving warmth in the winter. However, they may slightly reduce light transmission.
Another method is to use a thermal curtain system with climate screens, which is an energy-saving and temperature-control solution. At night, this system unfolds special insulation curtains to reduce heat loss through the top and sides of the greenhouse, lowering energy consumption while keeping the interior warm. Climate screen technology allows for precise control of greenhouse conditions, including light, temperature, and humidity.
In addition to these methods, it is important to consider the size of the greenhouse and the cost of the heating method. For larger commercial greenhouses, more professional insulation solutions may be required. Soil heat storage, for example, uses the natural ability of soil to absorb and store heat during the day, making it a suitable option for small greenhouses.
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Use a wood stove, but be cautious of the risk of melting or igniting the plastic
Wood stoves are an effective and affordable way to heat a greenhouse, especially with the rising costs of propane, gas, and petroleum products. However, when it comes to a plastic greenhouse, caution is needed due to the risk of melting or igniting the plastic.
If you plan to use a wood stove in a plastic greenhouse, it is crucial to take several safety precautions. Firstly, ensure that your wood stove installation complies with all local code requirements. Stand-alone pellet stoves are generally easier to operate and often come with temperature controls, making them a safer option.
To mitigate the risk of melting or igniting the plastic, special attention should be given to the stove venting system. Most stove vent pipes are double-walled, which helps to keep them cooler. Consider wrapping the section of the pipe that passes through the plastic with heat-resistant material for added safety. Additionally, you can frame the area where the pipe passes through the plastic with cement board to provide a more durable barrier.
Another important consideration is the air intake for the wood stove. Wood stoves consume and draft a significant amount of air. Ensure that your greenhouse has adequate ventilation to provide a source of fresh air for the stove, so you don't pull in cold air from other parts of the greenhouse. The wall behind the stove should be solid, and it is recommended to have a clearance of at least 90 cm in each direction around the pipe and stove to minimize the risk of igniting nearby combustible materials.
While a wood stove can be a viable option for heating a plastic greenhouse, it is important to carefully plan and implement safety measures to prevent any potential hazards. Always consult with professionals and follow local regulations to ensure a safe and effective installation.
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Frequently asked questions
Insulating materials such as foam boards or double-layered plastic films can help to reduce heat loss.
Horticultural fleece is a synthetic material that can help protect plants from frost during the winter. Bubble wrap can also be used to line the inside of your plastic greenhouse.
According to UST standards, the greenhouse must remain at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit inside if it is to work properly.
Wood and pellet stoves are a cheap and effective way to heat a greenhouse. For smaller greenhouses, soil heat storage is a strategy that uses soil as a natural heat source.
Ensure that your greenhouse is protected from the wind, as plastic will not last long.
