Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
the electric bill is getting rather large!

I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
thoughts about this?

Thank you,

Tony.

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Redrose wrote:
Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
the electric bill is getting rather large!

I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
thoughts about this?

what about Paraffin?

My Mum gets 4 gallons each autumn from what's left in the paraffin tank
in our stock room and that does her all winter.

Although her greenhouse is only a small one.

--
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Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Redrose wrote:

Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
the electric bill is getting rather large!

I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
thoughts about this?

Thank you,

Tony.

Why heat the whole greenhouse? I am currently bringing on approx 250
Busy Lizzies and 100 Geraniums in an electrically heated propagator
(within a greenhouse). This is a bed of sand with an insulated base and
an 80W soil warming cable. On top is a 4' x 2' cold frame insulated
with bubble plastic. In a worst case scenario with external temp below
zero, the air temp in the propagator is always above 8C. I have used
this system for 4 or 5 years and have had no problems.

Malcolm

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Regarding Gas, this makes a great deal of moisture in the air, so will need
well ventilating, which rather negates the purpose.
As far as electric is concerned, assuming you are aware of the saftey needs,
3Kw sounds a bit OTT, I have used a 700w convector heater this year, on a
timer, 1 hour on 1 hour off, even with -5c havent lost any plants or
seedlings yet.
regards
Cineman


"Redrose" wrote in message
...
Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater.
but
the electric bill is getting rather large!

I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has
anybody any
thoughts about this?

Thank you,

Tony.

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------

"htmark98" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?


You don't. You put an extra bit of wood in, across the glass if required,
but firmly fixed to the firm structure, and fit the socket to that.

By the mode of question, I guess you are DIY. Are you aware of the safety
implications here? Electricity has no respect for human skin and life. You
are only dead once. Electrics and water do not mix ............. unless you
know how and when and the greenhouse is not one of them

Mike
Marine Electrical Design Engineer (Rtd)

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Yeah know how electrics just never seen sockets in an all glass house,
seen them on a brick/glass ones. How do you stick wood to a couple of
cms of aluminum which is very soft stuff?

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;¬) wrote:
Redrose wrote:
Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric
heater. but the electric bill is getting rather large!

I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has
anybody any thoughts about this?

what about Paraffin?

My Mum gets 4 gallons each autumn from what's left in the paraffin tank
in our stock room and that does her all winter.

Although her greenhouse is only a small one.


Gas and paraffin also add wter vapour and CO2, which may be good for plants.

Lost cheaper than lectrickery

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Mike wrote:

"htmark98" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?


You don't. You put an extra bit of wood in, across the glass if
required, but firmly fixed to the firm structure, and fit the socket
to that.

By the mode of question, I guess you are DIY. Are you aware of the
safety implications here? Electricity has no respect for human skin
and life. You are only dead once. Electrics and water do not mix
............. unless you know how and when and the greenhouse is not
one of them

Mike
Marine Electrical Design Engineer (Rtd)

And I beleive current regs/law, is that this should be installed by a
qualified electrician, or checked by one, and a safety cert. issued. I'm
told cost of check and cert is around £80! Take care my friend.
--
ßôyþëtë

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

BoyPete wrote:
Mike wrote:

"htmark98" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?


You don't. You put an extra bit of wood in, across the glass if
required, but firmly fixed to the firm structure, and fit the socket
to that.

By the mode of question, I guess you are DIY. Are you aware of the
safety implications here? Electricity has no respect for human skin
and life. You are only dead once. Electrics and water do not mix
............. unless you know how and when and the greenhouse is not
one of them

Mike
Marine Electrical Design Engineer (Rtd)

And I beleive current regs/law, is that this should be installed by a
qualified electrician, or checked by one, and a safety cert. issued.
I'm told cost of check and cert is around £80! Take care my friend.

He could do the same as dozens of other people and run an extension lead
down there, it will only be for 3 or 4 weeks at the most, once May gets here
it will be redundant.

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

htmark98 wrote:
Yeah know how electrics just never seen sockets in an all glass house,
seen them on a brick/glass ones. How do you stick wood to a couple of
cms of aluminum which is very soft stuff?

Try Maplin or any real electrical supplier, and explain the problem.
They'll have an in-line waterproof connection set which won't need to be
attached to anything, just hung out of the way. You should be fused down
for power coming from the house wiring, of course (as if I ever
bothered!).

--
Mike.

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
...
htmark98 wrote:
Yeah know how electrics just never seen sockets in an all glass house,
seen them on a brick/glass ones. How do you stick wood to a couple of
cms of aluminum which is very soft stuff?


You don't 'stick' it, you fix it using the fixings of the greenhouse. I have
battens and shelving fitted to an Ali greenhouse.

Soft? High powered fast ferries are made of Ali. Life Boats are made of Ali.
With the proper support and fixings, Ali is very light and strong. Soft in
certain comparisons, but tough.

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

htmark98 wrote:
I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?

Use a TIG welder.

HTH.

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

"Chris Bacon" wrote in message
...
htmark98 wrote:
I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?

Use a TIG welder.

HTH.

Double side sticky tape for speed

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

In message , Redrose
writes
Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse

how big?

by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
the electric bill is getting rather large!


To what temp are you heating - a few degrees makes a lot of difference.
Is the Gh insulated with Bubble wrap etc., are you heating the whole lot
or have you partitioned off a bit?
--
Chris French

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

htmark98 wrote:
Yeah know how electrics just never seen sockets in an all glass house,
seen them on a brick/glass ones. How do you stick wood to a couple of
cms of aluminum which is very soft stuff?

Car body filler

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------

"Owain" wrote in message
...
htmark98 wrote:
I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?

Well duh.

You drill a square hole in the glass and use a dry-lining box

Owain

OH MY GOD you will now be lambasted for giving wrong and misleading and
dangerous information. Go get him owners. Where have you come from?
Gardenbanter? ;-)

Mike

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

In article
cineman wrote:
Regarding Gas, this makes a great deal of moisture in the air,

.... and everyone knows how bad water is for plants ...

I have used both gas & paraffin in the past but prefer electric because it is easier to control.

THis is my set up;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk...20Set%20up.htm

Click on images to enlarge.

I rarely use my fan heater, it has to be exceptionally cold for me to use this.

I find my thermostatically controlled heated propagator and hot bed very economical to run.

I now have a wireless thermometer/ barometer fitted i.e. control panel is in house and the sensor is in the greenhouse now I can monitor whats happening in my greenhouse from the comfort of my house.

In the event that it gets exceptionally cold, and I have stuff in need of protection I nip up the yard and switch my fan heater on.

It has only been on about four or five times this winter.

I hope this helps!

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Redrose wrote:

Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
the electric bill is getting rather large!

I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
thoughts about this?


electric is the most expensive of all options. If you use electric
ensure its on an rcd, or for a permanent install, an rcbo for each
circuit. Electrics in greenhouses are different to electrics in the
house, and leakages due to water, damp, bugs and dirt are to be
expected. Use toughened glass bulbs (eg PAR38), enclosed fittings, or
preferably fl/cfl. GLS and halogen bulbs are liable to shatter.

Bottled gas works well and is pretty safe. With 2 cylinders and a
changeover valve you can ensure it doesnt freeze now and then and you
dont waste gas.

Paraffin is the cheapest, but isnt really safe. CO ouput is something
they do unless you keep a proper eye on them at all times, a wick that
isnt kept trimmed and shaped will produce CO. They can get knocked
over. Nearly all are spill proof but if you screwed the cap on askew it
wont be, and there are heaters that arent spill proof. Daytime
ventilation before entering the greenhouse is good practice with
paraffin. When these heaters were used in houses, deaths occurred.

The 2 other options are solar thermal and insulation. A layer of
polythene of bubble wrap will reduce heat loss day and night, and an
external sheet of silvered mylar can reflect more heat and light in
during the day. Raising daytime temp increases the night time minimum,
more so if youve got insulation.

Directing central heating boiler exhaust into the greenhouse is an
effective option rarely used, and is as safe as portable gas heating.
Might not be very effective if youve got a 95% efficient boiler though.

Controlled house ventilation with the exhaust to the greenhouse is one
last option.


NT

Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
 

Redrose wrote:

Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
the electric bill is getting rather large!

I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
thoughts about this?


electric is the most expensive of all options. If you use electric
ensure its on an rcd, or for a permanent install, an rcbo for each
circuit. Electrics in greenhouses are different to electrics in the
house, and leakages due to water, damp, bugs and dirt are to be
expected. Use toughened glass bulbs (eg PAR38), enclosed fittings, or
preferably fl/cfl. GLS and halogen bulbs are liable to shatter.

Bottled gas works well and is pretty safe. With 2 cylinders and a
changeover valve you can ensure it doesnt freeze now and then and you
dont waste gas.

Paraffin is the cheapest, but isnt really safe. CO ouput is something
they do unless you keep a proper eye on them at all times, a wick that
isnt kept trimmed and shaped will produce CO. They can get knocked
over. Nearly all are spill proof but if you screwed the cap on askew it
wont be, and there are heaters that arent spill proof. Daytime
ventilation before entering the greenhouse is good practice with
paraffin. When these heaters were used in houses, deaths occurred.

The 2 other options are solar thermal and insulation. A layer of
polythene of bubble wrap will reduce heat loss day and night, and an
external sheet of silvered mylar can reflect more heat and light in
during the day. Raising daytime temp increases the night time minimum,
more so if youve got insulation.

Directing central heating boiler exhaust into the greenhouse is an
effective option rarely used, and is as safe as portable gas heating.
Might not be very effective if youve got a 95% efficient boiler though.

Controlled house ventilation with the exhaust to the greenhouse is one
last option.


NT

I bought an electric Parasene 2kw a while ago. I used to have a gas one but couldn't be bothered with it. The electric one is much better for me personally.

Have a look at this link:
Fuel Prices

Electricity has an average price of 12.6p per kWh (assuming you're not on economy 7)

Propane starts at 9.2p, but that's for a cylinder over a metre high, which you're unlikely to be using on a greenhouse heater; smaller sizes of cylinder are between 13.3p and 26p per kWh

So your best bet is to improve insulation and use your heater as efficiently as possible - keep the plants in one partitioned-off area and heat that, get an accurate thermostat.

Yes indeed, more indoor plants are killed through over-watering than through underwatering. So your irony is mis-placed.

Seriously - in winter, plants aren't growing fast - even with greenhouse heating, it's still too cold, and there isn't enough light. Some plants ma be completely dormant - eg cacti, which can survive low temperatures, but only if they're dry. So too much moisture in the area in winter is a problem.