Heater suggestions for a 6' X 8' Greenhouse

[kruegersc4]

Hello,

I just bought a greenhouse that's about 6' X 8' and 7' tall, and am looking into heaters for it. I was just wondering, from those of you with small greenhouses, what companies you have bought heaters from and what models. I am currently looking at this heater, but as I know little on the subject, I don't want to make a bad decision.

 

[adnedarn]

First of all, do the calculations to figure the BTU that you need. From there you can search out heater options. My greenhouse is 8*16*10 but last winter I cut it in half and only heated one side. I use a propane heater. This year though I'll attempt to heat the whole thing, we'll see how it goes!

Here is the calculator- http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/heat-calc.shtml

 

[kruegersc4]

I just measured my BTU, and if I made no mistakes, it's about 3205. So the heater in the link should cover what I've got?

 

[adnedarn]

if your calculations are correct, yeah. Do you have 220 in the g/h though?? You could go with a 110v witch would be easier to run power, and cheper.. something like the first one here: http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/heaters3.shtml



Oh, I don't know the BTU output but I use one of these: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=35277-33454-EW6507L in a cold spot of my g/h.. it works really well too. I think they are popular cause they work fine in high humidity. So, you could look into that too.

 

[ilbasso]

I am thinking of a grow chamber in my basement for lowlanders but would need a way to heat it during the day. Would this be the kind of heater that I'd look into? I would imagine that indoors would pose some different challenges.

Oh, and you don't know how amusing it is to sit here in northern Ohio reading about heating old spots in a green house in the desert of Tucson!

 

[adnedarn]

for basement I would go with an electric. The oil filled lets off a nice consistent heat. When something with open coils blast hot air... That's another reason I chose to use that.


While I do live in a desert and it isn't nearly as cold here as it is there, the plants I grow still like to be warmer than my winter temps allow for. Also we're talking about a sizable greenhouse out in the middle of a yard VS your basement.

BTW I went through 3 fills of my 100lb propane tank last winter. Plus the electric heater running.

 

[kruegersc4]

if your calculations are correct, yeah. Do you have 220 in the g/h though?? You could go with a 110v witch would be easier to run power, and cheper.. something like the first one here: http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/heaters3.shtml
QUOTE]

That does look more efficient. Infact, if I really wanted to, I could buy two of those and it would still be cheaper, and probably distribute the heat more evenly if I put one on both ends of the greenhouse. (Not planning on that yet).

I am also looking for an evaporative cooler for this greenhouse if anyone has any recommendations.

 

[adnedarn]

Have you said where you're from? If it is humid most of the summer then an evap cooler may not work for you. They work here since we are usually so dry. If it is humid where you are, fans that suck in fresh air and vent out the hot air may be enough for you.

I use this cooler: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=215791-420-MMB12A&lpage=none

And just adapt in a thermostat system since these are on/off (by switch)

The smaller version: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=114854-420-MMB10A&lpage=none
I think would be fine for your size. (the one I use is rated for 1000 SQ ft the smaller is 700SQ ft)

 

[kruegersc4]

Thanks for all the links. I live in Humboldt County, California (Fortuna, to be more exact). During hot days, I think the humidity is usually 40-60%. I'm not sure exactly, I can't locate the really good website I found that showed graphs of average humidity/temperature throughout the year.