1) Fans on - always. No exception.
2) Make sure every little seam is well sealed.
3) Set the thermostat for the minimum temperature your plants can live
with.
4) Do NOT artificially heat the GH on gray days. Let solar heating do the
work when it can.
5) Add sheets of polyethylene film and inflate the space between the film
and your GH cover.
6) Paint the north wall of the GH white to reflect as much light as
possible into the structure.
7) Keep as much water in black containers as possible in the GH. They will
absorb solar heat and re-emit it into the environment.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"angraecum_habit" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi All,
I'm sure you've all heard and dreaded the predictions about heating
costs this winter. This will be only my second year with my gh up and
running. I would love to hear ideas for how some of you have been able
to keep those costs as low as possible without harming your orchids
(too cold, too little light, etc.)

I have quite a variety of 'chids in my gh. The majority are
intermediates, but I also have some intermed.-warm types and some
cool-intermed. types. Last winter I set the thermostat to a min. of 55
F. This year I am considering dropping it to 50 F. I use a Southern
Burner natural gas, vented model. My gh is 15' x 16' and about 10' high
at the roof line. While I am in a relatively mild climate to many of
you (Central California Coastal area), it can get down in to the low
30's F at night. An occasional dip in the high 20's F.

What about insulation (without sacrificing too much light)? Fan
positioning? Fans on, or fans off? Heat curtains? Shade cloth on the
inside?

Thanks in advance....

Lori