The idea for growing food in greenhouses dates back to the Roman emperor Tiberius who loved to have his weird-looking vegetables all year round. Greenhouses made always having your favorite food on the table possible.
Living in colder climates means knowing how to heat your winter greenhouse properly. Keep plants warm and cozy during the months when fields are covered in frost by exploring the several options for heating your greenhouse given below.
Passive Solar Heating
The sun is an endless source of heat and energy, and what’s best, it’s free! So one way to heat your greenhouse during winter is to install solar panels and use renewable energy sources to create a system that will provide heat.
Another more basic and budget-friendly option is the passive solar heating method. Use black water containers that will absorb the heat during the day. The water will naturally release heat into the greenhouse at night. Be sure to line the containers on the north wall in full sun in a way that won’t shade the light from the plants.
Hot Water Heating
Dating back to 19th-century greenhouses, hot water heating systems are an eco-friendly way to heat water even today. One way is by heating the water with a hydronic heating system that uses solar panels.
Another way is adding a coiling pipe in a composting system where the decomposing material generates heat. The water passes through the lines inside the compost heap and keeps the temperature of the soil higher than usual.
Boiler Heating
Boilers can provide hot water through the pipes and heat the greenhouse. Boilers can run on several sources like renewable electricity, gas, solid fuel, wood, or biomass.
The initial investment in heating a greenhouse with any boiler may be a bit pricey, but you’ll cut costs in the long run.
Air and Ground Heating
The ground-to-air heating system uses the humid air from the greenhouse and passes it below the soil. The heat energy collected there is pumped back into the greenhouse at night to keep it warm.
Ground source heat pumps are also an option but tend to be rather expensive. Another heating option is setting up air source heat pumps, which are cheaper.
Use of Hotbeds
Hotbeds are raised beds containing decomposing manure and straw, or more precisely, they’re compost heaps built from organic materials. The heat is produced from below, where the materials break down and provide natural warmth.
It is not obligatory to use straw and horse manure. You can use many compostable materials to generate heat and create the same effect.
Electric Fan Heating
Regardless of the size of your greenhouse, electric fans help circulate the heat throughout the space. Just plug them in and go about your chores. Almost all electric fan heaters have an installed thermostat to control the temperature, but check this before leaving it unattended.
Conservatory Craftsmen: Passive Solar Deep Winter Greenhouse
Heating your greenhouse lets you keep your plants alive even during the cold winter. To ensure you have the right system, ask for help from our professionals at Conservatory Craftsmen. We pride ourselves on building stunning residential and commercial spaces while bringing nature inside.
If you have questions about your winter greenhouse or need help building one, get in touch, and we’ll be happy to assist.