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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

questions about air movement and also greenhouse brands question

8 years ago

I found a FarmTek Growers Supply greenhouse called Growspan Gothic Premium Greenhouse. It does not have roof vents but an exhaust fan on one end with a intake shutter on the other end and also comes with a fan. The other greenhouse I am looking at is a Grandio Elite which has four self opening vents at the roof. Both greenhouses seem to employ a different way of moving the air. Is one way better than the other? Does anyone know anything about the Growspan greenhouse? Thanks!

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Comments (2)

oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
8 years ago
Gardenqueen87,

Part of your question was -" Both greenhouses seem to employ a different way of moving the air. Is one way better than the other?"

For most greenhouse crops, one complete air exchange per minute is needed. (volume of air within the greenhouse), and either passive-vents or fans can meet this need. One is not necessarily better than the other, other than the fact that passive ventilation systems do not require electricity.

With fans, an output of 10 cubic ft / minute/ sq. ft of floor area is needed. For example, a 12 ft. X 18 ft. greenhouse (216 sq. ft. floor area) would need fans that could provide 2160 cubic ft/minute to achieve the needed one air exchange per minute.Check the specifications of the fans provided by the manufacturer.

With a passive system, roof vents generally should be 20% of the floor area, and bottom-side vents 10%. Bottom-side vents are necessary to ensure the one complete air exchange per minute. For the same 12 ft X 18 ft. greenhouse with a passive system, top vents should be 44 sq. ft. and bottom-side vents 22 sq. ft. Check the specifications of the top vents, and ensure that bottom-side vents are included or can be modified into the design.
hex2006
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
For passive vents you have to consider the height difference between the inlet and outlet vents and the temperature difference.Its very unlikely you`ll get 1 airchange per minute with passive venting.
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