Greenhouse heating question
 

In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Steve

Greenhouse heating question
 

On Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:10:47 -0800, Steve B wrote:
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Strange. I always used sunlight to warm a greenhouse.

Greenhouse heating question
 

On Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:04:43 -0600, AZ Nomad
wrote:

On Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:10:47 -0800, Steve B wrote:
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Strange. I always used sunlight to warm a greenhouse.


It depends on how cold the nights are. I use an electric heater at
night to keep the temperature warm enough to prevent stunting the
plants. As soon as the sun comes up I have to watch the thermometer to
make sure that it doesn't get too hot.

The only time I run the heater is when I have seedlings in the
greenhouse. I do not try to grow stuff during the winter since the
quality of produce is not worth the cost.
--
USA
North Carolina Foothills
USDA Zone 7a

Greenhouse heating question
 

"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:10:47 -0800, Steve B
wrote:
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Strange. I always used sunlight to warm a greenhouse.


perhaps you should consider patenting that technique and attach a a switch
so you can turn it on at night.

Greenhouse heating question
 

"Steve B" wrote in message
...
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Steve


The best is the least inexpensive method, whatever that is for your setup
and area. I have seen setups area in more temperate areas use a closed loop
system w/ a hose coiled under compost. Others; water barrels painted black
for heat sinks, These tricks don't work here in the cool PNW maritime
climate. The C02 could boost plant health, but it would be a waste of time
it your plant are dormant as most are in winter. If you are a commerical
grower then heating is a cost of business and you usually get a bit of heat
from all those 1000w bulbs.

I am building warming benches (bottom heat ) w/ heat cables( ~1$ a foot+
thermostat), but electricity is relatively inexpensive here compared to
fuel. I can put plants on the warm sand and if necessary, enclose them with
bubble wrap, all inside the house. Old christmas lights wrapped around
plants can help, the old 100W bulb is good for a few feet in an open GH, I
would use a blower if you use a propane BBQ grill, definate test by temps at
various feet away from heat source.

here are the commericals setup: http://brae.calpoly.edu/CEAE/greenhouse.html

Greenhouse heating question
 

On Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:05:09 -0800, gunner wrote:

"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:10:47 -0800, Steve B
wrote:
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Strange. I always used sunlight to warm a greenhouse.


perhaps you should consider patenting that technique and attach a a switch
so you can turn it on at night.

Use a layer of rocks on the floor to hold heat from the daytime sun.
This isn't rocket science.

Greenhouse heating question
 

In article ss,
"gunner" wrote:

"Steve B" wrote in message
...
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Steve


The best is the least inexpensive method, whatever that is for your setup
and area. I have seen setups area in more temperate areas use a closed loop
system w/ a hose coiled under compost. Others; water barrels painted black
for heat sinks, These tricks don't work here in the cool PNW maritime
climate. The C02 could boost plant health, but it would be a waste of time
it your plant are dormant as most are in winter. If you are a commerical
grower then heating is a cost of business and you usually get a bit of heat
from all those 1000w bulbs.

I am building warming benches (bottom heat ) w/ heat cables( ~1$ a foot+
thermostat), but electricity is relatively inexpensive here compared to
fuel. I can put plants on the warm sand and if necessary, enclose them with
bubble wrap, all inside the house. Old christmas lights wrapped around
plants can help, the old 100W bulb is good for a few feet in an open GH, I
would use a blower if you use a propane BBQ grill, definate test by temps at
various feet away from heat source.

here are the commericals setup: http://brae.calpoly.edu/CEAE/greenhouse.html

Hmmm ...

Do plants need Oxygen as well as CO2?

The root growth for new plants I believe needs Oxygen more than CO2.
If one puts the propane barbecue heater inside the greenhouse this may
be bad for the plants because the heat would use up the Oxygen. If I
went with a propane heater it would be a camper style heater in which
the heater is outside and blows the heat inside the greenhouse OR has an
exhaust vent to the outside. Electric mats under the plants are probably
the best way to go. Electric is also nice for the over head watering
systems.

Electric can be a problem if the greenhouse is not near a power source.
So therefore ... propane.

Enjoy Life ... Dan

--
Garden in Zone 5 South East Michigan.

Greenhouse heating question
 

In article ,
AZ Nomad wrote:

On Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:05:09 -0800, gunner wrote:

"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:10:47 -0800, Steve B
wrote:
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Strange. I always used sunlight to warm a greenhouse.


perhaps you should consider patenting that technique and attach a a switch
so you can turn it on at night.

Use a layer of rocks on the floor to hold heat from the daytime sun.
This isn't rocket science.

That being the case then water would be the heat sink of choice because
nothing holds heat better than water. Ideally, the container would be a
thermal conductor, but fish tanks, or other transparent materials would
make it easier for the water to trap the heat.
--
"When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist."
-Archbishop Helder Camara

http://tinyurl.com/o63ruj
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm

Greenhouse heating question
 

"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:05:09 -0800, gunner wrote:

"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:10:47 -0800, Steve B
wrote:
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were made
about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane
barbecue.
It was stated that the CO2 would be good for the plants. I was
wondering
about the CO produced, and what the levels would be.

What is the best/worst ways to do supplemental heat in a greenhouse?

Strange. I always used sunlight to warm a greenhouse.


perhaps you should consider patenting that technique and attach a a switch
so you can turn it on at night.

Use a layer of rocks on the floor to hold heat from the daytime sun.
This isn't rocket science.

OK, bad humor. Passive solar applications and man's useage has long been an
interest of mine. There are too many varibles for it to be a reliable
source of heat, perhaps a good supplement, but the other side of the coin
is that heat sinks work in the summer much better, usually to the deterimate
of the plants.

Greenhouse heating question
 

"Dan L." wrote in message


Hmmm ...

Do plants need Oxygen as well as CO2?

The root growth for new plants I believe needs Oxygen more than CO2.
If one puts the propane barbecue heater inside the greenhouse this may
be bad for the plants because the heat would use up the Oxygen.

I don't believe any of these three points are necessarily true.

If I
went with a propane heater it would be a camper style heater in which
the heater is outside and blows the heat inside the greenhouse OR has an
exhaust vent to the outside. Electric mats under the plants are probably
the best way to go. Electric is also nice for the over head watering
systems.

Good to vent the Carbon Monoxide buildup if people work in the area and I
agree bottom heat is better.

Electric can be a problem if the greenhouse is not near a power source.

So therefore ... propane.

and for emergency situations a charcoal or wood grill would help.

Enjoy Life ... Dan

--
Garden in Zone 5 South East Michigan.

Greenhouse heating question
 

Wildbilly wrote:

Use a layer of rocks on the floor to hold heat from the daytime sun.
This isn't rocket science.

That being the case then water would be the heat sink of choice
because nothing holds heat better than water.

Nothing? Really?

LOL!

Greenhouse heating question
 

Steve B wrote:
In another newsgroup, there's a discussion about heating a greenhouse.
Electric heaters were mentioned. Also kerosene, but comments were
made about fumes and stickiness. Someone recommended a plain propane
barbecue.

The moisture produced will condense on the glass, releasing its heat to the
outside through the glass. Efficiency suffers.

Greenhouse heating question
 

In article ,
"Bob F" wrote:

Wildbilly wrote:

Use a layer of rocks on the floor to hold heat from the daytime sun.
This isn't rocket science.

That being the case then water would be the heat sink of choice
because nothing holds heat better than water.

Nothing? Really?

LOL!

Picky are we? OK, one thing is better at holding heat, ammonia.
--
³When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.²
-Archbishop Helder Camara

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFull
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm

Greenhouse heating question
 

Wildbilly wrote:

one thing is better at holding heat, ammonia.

I assume we're talking about specific heat?
Is the ammonia allowed a phase change?


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

Greenhouse heating question
 

In article
,
Wildbilly wrote:

In article ,
"Bob F" wrote:

Wildbilly wrote:

Use a layer of rocks on the floor to hold heat from the daytime sun.
This isn't rocket science.

That being the case then water would be the heat sink of choice
because nothing holds heat better than water.

Nothing? Really?

LOL!

Picky are we? OK, one thing is better at holding heat, ammonia.

A search for R-values via

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation)

Seems related.

Bill who noticed that a wet hand is very much colder than a dry one.

--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/757.html What is Global Dimming??
Less light more shade world wide food implications