The Value of Maintaining Energy-Efficient Heating
April 23, 2022 Reliable and efficient greenhouse heating in the winter is critical. Fortunately, there are several resources growers can turn to. Here’s a closer look at advice from suppliers and other experts from across the controlled-environment industry.
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Cold-Month Protection
According to Jamie Tuinstra, Product Manager at Modine, unit heaters can be a greenhouse’s best friend in colder months. Warm air is pushed into greenhouses and circulated throughout the growing area, keeping plants warm without increasing humidity levels substantially. Multiple units can be used, especially in large commercial greenhouses.
There are two main types of gas-fired unit heaters. Power exhaust units draw the combustion air for ignition and run the burners through an opening in the heater. They draw in air within a space and exhaust flue gases through one pipe to the outside. These units cost less to purchase, but they may not be as energy-efficient as another heater option.
Separated combustion units pull air from outdoors or a separate room for combustion air. Only clean air is used in combustion, making these units better able to operate in working environments with harsh conditions — such as negative pressure, high moisture, and humidity or chemicals — that can shorten the lifespan of a unit. Separated units require more piping and cost more upfront, but these units will cost less over their lifespan because of their efficient operation.
Learn more in an article from Tuinstra here.
Long-Term Savings Benefits
Jim Rearden, CEO of BioTherm, says rising fuel costs have led many growers to take advantage of advancements in combustion technologies in order to better control how heat is distributed in the greenhouse.
“Upgrades in boiler equipment have dramatically improved heating capacity and efficiency, even when covering multiple acres,” Rearden says. “With fuel cost concerns on top of labor and hard goods availability, growers are looking for any savings they can realize.”
When it comes time to calculate the return on investment of new technology like this, Rearden suggests a long-term approach.
“You need to know when you’ll get your money back, but you also need to recognize the secondary benefits of enhancing your crop and optimizing your greenhouse environment,” Rearden says.
The emergence of the greenhouse vegetable and cannabis markets has led BioTherm to expand its focus to include air conditioning, dehumidification, and other tools that can help growers produce crops in a rugged environment.
“We’ve taken a deep dive into providing systems that will optimize humidity and temperature, as well as CO2 enrichment,” Rearden says. “For vegetable growers in particular, optimizing CO2 can reduce the amount of light you might need for your plants.”
Three New Products to Consider
Effinity (Modine): Promoting clean air and fuel savings, the Effinity with Building Management System Integration operates at up to 97% thermal efficiency, the highest available in North America for commercial gas-fired unit heaters. The separated combustion unit provides a dependable, consistent performance accompanying Modine’s Concervicore Technology. For more information, visit Modinehvac.com.
Roll’N Grow (BioTherm): Roll’N Grow is a one-of-a-kind machine that bonds with various types of heating tubes to weed barrier (black or white) or to open mesh (for bench applications). The master rolls are up to 12 feet wide, with widths to match floor or bench needs. Simply roll the mat out on the surface, connect the manifolds and supply and return lines to a hot water source and pump. A thermostat with a soil probe controls the system based on media temperature. Roll’N Grow helps apply root zone heating to growing beds or benches with growth-enhancing gentle heat. Benefits include reduced fuel costs, increased production, more compact plants, and reduced disease problems. Learn more at BioThermSolutions.com.
Raypak Boiler (BioTherm): The generation and delivery of heat through a hot water system is an efficient method of transporting energy, whether the distance is long or short. With the piping in place, it also makes it easy to add, adjust, and change the central heating technology as new capabilities come to market. BioTherm offers several Raypak condensing boiler models: XPak, XFyre, and XTherm.
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