How to Better Understand Environmental Control Systems
As energy and labor costs continue to rise, greenhouse and high tunnel growers are increasingly interested in automating their heating, cooling, and ventilation with environmental control systems. An environmental controller can help growers maximize efficiency, conserve energy, and optimize plant growth. Here are some of the most common questions (and answers) from growers who are looking to implement or upgrade their environmental controls.
What Are the Different Types of Greenhouse Climate Control Systems Available?
There are many types of environmental controllers for high tunnels and greenhouses, ranging from simple to sophisticated. A simple thermostat system is an inexpensive way to turn on and off equipment such as fans and a heater based on temperature. The next step up would be a controller that can motorize and automate your roll-up sides based on time or temperature.
Finally, a more advanced method would be digital environmental controls that can manage all your equipment from a central unit. These controllers have setpoints for individual pieces of equipment based on time, temperature, and humidity. They can also capture information so you can look back and make data-driven decisions about your greenhouse management, modifying setpoints accordingly.
What Equipment Can Be Controlled?
Greenhouse controllers can manage a variety of equipment, including:
- CO2 systems
- Fans
- Fogging systems
- Heaters
- Hydronic heat systems
- Irrigation
- Roll-up sides
- Shade curtains
- Shutters
- Vents
Different controllers are better suited to manage different equipment.
Do I Need to Have Power in My Greenhouse to Use a Digital Environmental Controller?
Yes, you need to have electricity in your greenhouse to connect an environmental control system. However, some controllers can be solar-powered if you are looking for an off-the-grid solution. Solar-powered controllers run on low-voltage power.
Do I Need to Have Wi-Fi in My Greenhouse to Use an Environmental Controller?
Most greenhouse environmental controllers do not require Wi-Fi to work. However, some controllers offer additional features such as over-the-air updates and mobile app connectivity if you are able to access Wi-Fi in your greenhouse.
Can I Use My Phone to Control the Greenhouse Systems?
Some environmental controls offer a mobile application to allow you to control equipment remotely from your phone, tablet, or computer. This can be useful for large greenhouse ranges, operations such as schools where someone may not always be physically onsite, or small operations where labor availability is limited. Having mobile capability also provides alarms, such as a loss of power or heat. There is typically a monthly subscription fee for mobile app connectivity.
How Can Investing in an Environmental Controller Pay Off?
The major payoff will be in energy savings. Simply overheating a greenhouse by a single degree can cost thousands of dollars in wasted energy. A digital controller can adjust greenhouse temperatures based on solar gain, outdoor temperature, time of day, energy demand, and other factors. This will not only reduce energy usage but can also increase yields and ultimately make more money for the business. Investing in environmental controls can also pay off by reducing labor costs.
For additional information on environmental control systems, including tips on installation and what will happen in the event of a power outage, please read the full article on the Rimol Greenhouse Systems website.
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