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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

On propane and winterizing the GH

15 years ago

So I have a single pane, tempered glass greenhouse, heated with 2 Empire 24K BTU propane heaters. We just finished the fourth winter. For additional insulation, I have done the following:

2005-2006: solar pool cover on the outside (fail)

2006-2007: solar pool cover cut in sections on the inside except over the ridge vent; 6R foamboard on the north wall

2007-2008: same

2008-2009: 4 mil PE film, 4 10x25' sheets in all, clipped to the inside, giving roughly a 2" space on walls and about a 6" space on the roof; same north wall insulation as before.

We had an average winter, we live almost exactly on the "zero" line running through the middle of Missouri: http://capitalclimate.blogspot.com/2009/03/us-2008-2009-winter-temperatures-near.html

Results? This year we used ~1000 gallons less propane than in previous years. To me, this is an indictment of the solar pool over technique. With a solar pool cover, you cannot easily hold it down on the outside in windy locations. And regardless of whether you use it inside or outside, it is difficult to seal off the dead space between the glazing and the cover, and that dead space is what really provides the good insulating properties.

Discussion welcome.

SB

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Comments (5)

tominnh
15 years ago
Stressbaby, What is the size of your greenhouse and do you have any pics of the winterizing? Thanks
User
Original Author
15 years ago
20' x 23' and no, I didn't take any pics of the winterizing this year.
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It all depends on what is activity growing. Also, the temperature will raise and lower RH. You are not going to be able to make it one number and leave it there, it will go up and down. I grow orchids and palm trees, I like mine to be around 60% to 100%, it was 95% the other day. You could see steam coming up, it was nice. I love a good hot humid fresh smelling greenhouse. Right now its 20Â°F outside. 58Â°F in the GH with humidity at 57. Hope this helps, Rob
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Mike, it got even worse (a record for Las Cruces.) El Paso Electric Co lost two generators early Wed so we're still having rolling brownouts. Fortunately for my greenhouse they didn't cut our power after 10PM last night. At 2:30AM the Wunderground website showed -6.4F for my neighborhood. By dawn my two 1500 watt heaters running full out were still able to hold my GH at 37F. I keep it at 45F so expected some damage. Was able to free the frozen-shut sliding doors this morning, no losses! I had loaded about 15 of my largest succulents into the living room the day before, thank goodness since some of them would not have taken 37F. When I calculated my heat need for this 10x12 polycarb GH I did not consider -6F degrees! Dodged a bullet as long as we don't lose major power tonight. They are predicting 4F for a low. That seems like a heat wave after last night. We only got 4" of snow with this, and are not pros at handling these temps like most of you. I slept with my sneakers, jeans, and long johns on last night, ready to leap into action to save what plants I could! Who knew having a greenhouse in southern NM could be so hair-raising. I hope you are all doing OK and staying safe and warm. Sheri
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Its called thermal mass. The more you have in there the slower the temp will change. Put rock or containers of water any place you can. They will absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at night. Black containers heat up better. I use anything I can find. Even empty 24 oz Pepsi bottles of water placed in spaces between pots. This also reduces the air space so the heater should be more efficient.
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calliope
15 years ago
In commercial greenhouses, when we use poly film, we put a double layer of film on, and use a squirrel cage fan to pump a layer of air between them for insulation. You bet that dead space is the insulator.
wordwiz
15 years ago
You used 1,000 gallons less? How much did you use in all? I would not have thought it would take that much fuel to heat a 460 sq. ft. structure, unless you are keeping the temps in the upper 80s or 90s.
hex2006
15 years ago
1000 gallons less than whatever it was origonally is still a big improvement regardless of the actual figure. I`ve no clue how much propane costs as i dont use it but i guess 1000 gal would cost more than the winterizing materials used.
Instant payback :)

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