So, how much heat will your greenhouse need during winter This is a question you have to first answer before introducing a heater into your structure….and that’s where a greenhouse heater calculator comes in.
The secret here lies in figuring out the number of BTUs required to sufficiently heat the space.
As you may know, these calculations are so crucial.
Otherwise, chances of installing an improperly sized heating device are high.
And you know what that means: potentially big losses in harvest and damaged plants.
SHOP BEST SELLING GREENHOUSE HEATERS
Click Here For The Best Greenhouse Heaters
What Is a Greenhouse Heater Calculator?
If you reside in a chilly climate, you’ll most likely need to invest in a greenhouse heater. The quantity of BTUs produced by a heater is measured. To figure out what size greenhouse heater you’ll need, you’ll need to know the size of your greenhouse, the minimum outside temperature you expect for your location, and the lowest temperature you want to keep in your hobby greenhouse.
Based on your climate, intended minimum greenhouse temperature, and greenhouse covering, this calculator can assist you in determining the size of heater required for your greenhouse.
What You Need While Making Greenhouse Heating Calculations?
To begin our greenhouse heating calculations, we will need some basic data:
- The size of the target greenhouse
- The lowest outside temperature (expected in your area)
- The lowest temperature you intend to maintain in the greenhouse.
The Steps
Well, these calculations are pretty simple.
Here are the rest of the steps
Step 1: Finding the Greenhouse Surface Area
Start by capturing the following data;
- Height of your greenhouse(=H)
- Length of your greenhouse(=L)
- Width of your greenhouse(=W)
- Height to the ridge(=R)
- Length of the roof slope(=S)
Now find your green house’s surface area (S.A.) as follows:
- A. = [2 x (H + S) x L] + [(R+H) x W]
Let’s assume your answer comes to 600 square feet.
SHOP BEST SELLING GARDENING PRODUCTS
Click Here For The Best Pation & Lawn & Garden Products That Will Save You Time and Money
Step 2: Temperature Differences
The next step in this greenhouse heating calculation is to find what we call temperature differences (for lack of a better word)
Here you take the ideal temperature you need in your greenhouse then subtract from this the lowest temperature possible in the region where your greenhouse is located.
For example:
Assuming you need a temperature of 70 °F& the lowest possible exterior temperature is 30 °F, you would get this…
Ideal greenhouse temperature: = 70°F
Coldest outside temperature: = (30°F)
= 40°F
Click Here For The Best Greenhouses & Parts & Accessories
Step 3: Calculate the BTUs
Now, to get the BTUs, you’ll need to multiply your surface area by the temperature difference:
i.e. BTUs = Greenhouse Surface Area X Temperature Differences
Using the figures in our example, you would get 600 x 40 = 24,000 BTU’s
Your heater will, therefore, require 24,000 BTU’s to adequately warm your greenhouse.
And so, 24,000 BTU’s would be my magic figure when shopping for a greenhouse heating system!
SHOP BEST SELLING GREENHOUSE HEATERS
Click Here For The Best Greenhouse Heaters
Factors That Will Affect Your Greenhouse Heating Calculations
The following variables will affect your calculations:
- Glazing
Some glazing materials are better. For example, if your greenhouse is built with polycarbonate or double glazed glass, your heat requirement will be 30% less
This means it’s safe to take 30% of your BTU value as your heating requirement.
- Walling Material
Walls made of brick or cement barely lose heat.
Thus, if that’s the walling in your greenhouse,you will need to go back to your surface area calculation stem and reduce it by ½..
Yeah. That’s right.
For step iii, take ½of your surface area value.
So, if my greenhouse is made of cement, my BTU value would be: (½ of 600)= 300 x 40 = 12,000 BTU’s !
SHOP BEST SELLING GARDENING PRODUCTS
Click Here For The Best Pation & Lawn & Garden Products That Will Save You Time and Money
Expert Greenhouse Heating Tips
- Always repair any cracks or openings in the insulation to avoid cold air from sneaking inside during frost.
- You can add insulation in an inexpensive way by lining the interiors of your greenhouse with quality plastic sheets. This also saves on your overall heating costs.
- A layer of horticultural fleece can further protect your plants on extremely cold nights. That way, you won’t overwork the thermostat
- Use a thermostat saves money and energy as it puts off the heater during daytime or when temperatures normalize.
SHOP BEST SELLING GREENHOUSE HEATERS
Click Here For The Best Greenhouse Heaters
Final Words
A greenhouse cost calculator enables you to accurately determine the heat output your greenhouse heater must have to adequately warm your plants.
This will help you avoid the losses that arise with insufficient warming, for example, lower yields and huge energy costs.
And as you have seen, the steps are so basic.
So, try it and let us know if it helps!
- Click Here For The All Greenhouse Heaters
- Click Here For The Best Greenhouse Electric Heaters
- Click Here For The Best Greenhouse Propane Gas Heaters
- Click Here For The Best Greenhouse Fans
- Click Here For The Best Greenhouses & Parts & Accessories
SHOP BEST SELLING GARDENING PRODUCTS
Click Here For The Best Pation & Lawn & Garden Products That Will Save You Time and Money
