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PDB

By Pdb

Lancashire, United Kingdom Gb

I have had an unheated greenhouse for many years and am thinking about heating it. I would need to be able to put it on a timer as we are away for a few weeks in Feb/March. I have been told about solar heating as electric in the greenhouse could be a problem to connect.
Has anyone used the solar panel method and how successful is it.
Many thanks




Answers

 

The only Solar option that might work with a timer is also electrical in nature, and would be subject to the same restraints, though lower voltage might make it somewhat safer. The alternative is a solar hot water system, in which black metal trays with pipes running through them are mounted on a separate roof. Water circulates through these collectors, and through a large, insulated water tank filled with stones, to store heat. At night, the warm water circulates through tubing in the floor, warming the greenhouse. It still requires electricity to run the circulating pumps, but no electricity enters the greenhouse. A simpler system would be to use a high efficiency water heater to run water through those self-same tubes. That may actually be more effective, considering how gray the UK can be in winter.

9 Aug, 2016

 

Hi, I would suggest a propane heater, which will have a thermostat to control the temp, and if you get 2 of the very large gas cylinders, and an automatic change-over valve, then you would be able to go away for a month or maybe more depending on how cold it got, all you would need is either someone to water for you, or some sort of a drip watering system, and a large enough water tank to last the time you'll be away, Derek.

9 Aug, 2016

 

Note that, unless vented to the outside, propane heaters produce minute amounts of acetylene gas, which can affect the growth, flowering, and maturation of many crops.

10 Aug, 2016

 

Hi Tug, I didn't mention that, because that information comes with the heater when you buy it, but you're quite right of course, Derek.

10 Aug, 2016

 

Depends on if you are shopping for it as a greenhouse heater, or just as a heater (unspecified)

12 Aug, 2016

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