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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Exhaust fan in 6x8 HFGH

17 years ago

Hello everyone,

I built a 6x8 HFGH this summer and now I want to get it ready for the cooler weather. After reading a few posts, it seems necessary to install an exhaust fan. Does anyone have any suggestions or would like to share their ideas?

I see HF sells an exhaust fan. Has anyone put it in their 6x8?

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Comments (5)

imqtpi
17 years ago
If you're referring to the HF Solar Fan - I have one. It's OK, but it doesn't move enough air for the size of the GH. My GH calculates out to 292 CF [b/c we raised it 12"] and the fan only moves 251 CFM. I've since screened one panel (on the north side) and added a box fan and an El-Cheapo Cool-Air humidifier (and it seems to be working out well, so far!)

I'd started a thread earlier (that kinda fizzled), but there's a link - from there - to my GH site that shows how we installed the Solar Fan. Thread link below...

HTH!

-Nancy

Here is a link that might be useful: Ad'Vent'ures in Ventilation
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mudhouse_gw
17 years ago
And (hope you donÂt mind Nancy) hereÂs a link to another really good thread by imqtpi, about installing the solar fan in her HFGH. I was helped a lot by some posts in here about what kind of cooling you can expect based on how quickly the air is exchanged.
hfgh-hf solar fan installation.

IÂve just installed an electric exhaust fan in my HF 10x12. ItÂs a 16" three-speed that I ordered from ACF Greenhouses ($169 plus shipping.) For my GH, at the top speed it should be capable of exchanging the air twice per minute. So far IÂm happy with it, although I wish it was a bit quieter (I guess that just goes with the territory.)

Also, hereÂs a link to a fan calculator on the same website that I found helpful: Greenhouse Fan CFM Calculator.

IÂll be putting up a thread soon with some pics of how we installed the exhaust fan. It was really very easy.
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I have a HFGH 10-12, and put all four vents on one side, as I was concerned about wind tearing the vents out on one side. I have two Bayliss MK7's and the other two are the original manual ones. I have had the GH running for almost a year now, and never use the two manual ones. The MK7's open and close like clockwork daily. Other additions I have made are adding an exhaust fan (over door) and motorized shutter (on opposite wall), Aluminet shade cloth (50%), various fans running nonstop and a humidifier which I have coming on when the humidity gets too low for my plants' preferences. I am in southern cal., where it can be quite dry. Without the shadecloth everything inside would fry, even with all the other mods. You might consider alternatives to a second vent, but if you still think it's necessary, one option would be to install a round marine vent, which is passive. You would just install it in one of the poly panels. They are rain proof and you could install it somewhere other than in the roof, which might improve the interior draft. Not sure what you would do about it when you are winterizing, however, but I think some of them come with an option to close manually. Another idea is to modify a large panel by cutting it horizontally, line the cut edges with aluminum channel (or even aluminum tape)installing a piano hinge to re-join the cut edges, cut a bit off the bottom to compensate for the hinge, shave a hair off either side to clear the channels in the framework, and fashion a handle like the one which came with your gh. Doing this on a side panel would be better than another roof vent, since adding another roof vent just offers a partial airflow pattern. Unfortunately this would involve removing the caulking you applied. Lastly, assuming you want to make something out of the non-caulked panel (in the roof, presumably), you could still try to use a piano or other hinge, perhaps attaching it to the crown frame. If you would be using it daily, you would need to add some framework for stability. Ann
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agardenstateof_mind
17 years ago
A vent fan may well be needed in Zone 8 and 9 winters, but I think it's merely an option in a NJ winter, especially in your zone 6. The roof vents should be sufficient; I trust you have an auto vent opener? And if you have a newer greenhouse, it will have two roof vents, as opposed to the single vent in my 3-year-old HFGH.

What is important, though, is a small fan to keep air circulating inside the greenhouse, 24/7. I have a little clip-on 7" diameter from Charlie's and am quite satisfied with it.

I would concentrate on insulation, thermal mass, backup heating plan and such and track the conditions through the winter before cutting up my greenhouse to install a vent fan.
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taylor810
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I do have two roof vents, I only put a automatic opener on one of them. I think for this winter, I will wait to cut a hole to install a exhaust fan. I'll pick up a small fan. I do have a temp/hydro sensor in the greenhouse for my weather station to monitor the conditions.
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imqtpi
17 years ago
FWIW: I did update my Solar Fan Page (today, even!). I've linked it below. Scroll down about 2/3 if you'd already "endured" the original ;-)

I'm *very* happy, so far, with the "arrangement!" We're having really wacky weather right now: Warm, sunny days [mid- to upper-80's] and pretty-darned-cold nights [40's - which is mighty chilly for us Wimpy Californians!] - especially since it's only October!

Normally Mother Nature doesn't crank-down the thermostat until Nov 1 - dammit! We're *supposed* to be having our NICEST summer weather right about now!!!

Anyway, the GH has been "mostly closed up" full-time now (the screened panel is covered w/a poly panel), so the only "outlet" is where the Solar Fan is. I've got the solar fan + box fan + humidifier running (all are rigged up thermostatically). Daytime temps *can* hit 90*+. Nighttime temps have been dipping in the mid- to upper-40's (Brrrr!).

I have since added my "turn-it-on-when-it-drops-below-42*" thermostat, and an A/C heater. Heater hasn't come on yet, but it's ready...

Anyway, I "got brave" and put some plants in there a week or so, ago. Haven't had any fatalities so far (and am "guardedly optimistic!")...

Taylor: If you're nervous about cutting holes in any of the panels (I know *I* was) - you might consider doing what we did: Install the fan in the panel above the door. You can buy a hunk of Acrylic @ Home Depot for appx $15 and use that to replace the twin-wall polycarbonate "triangle." Just make sure you put Skilsaw Lubricant on the blade before you saw a hole in it (you'll save yourself from having to buy another sheet of acrylic!!!)

-Nancy

Here is a link that might be useful: 2007 Greenhouse Fan
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