How to Choose a Greenhouse Heater

Creating a healthy environment for plants, like one for humans, is essential for their survival. In the same way, controlling the temperature within a greenhouse, too, is crucial for plants and their well-being. An appropriate temperature helps plants thrive and live longer.

During winter, greenhouse heaters help create an optimal temperature and environment for your plants. The harsh season requires extra care for plants, and greenhouse heaters are perfect for keeping your plants warm and healthy throughout.

Based on the kind of plants you have and their requirements, you can choose a greenhouse heater that best suits your requirements. This article will help you choose the right greenhouse heater for your plants.

Key Takeaways

• Greenhouse heaters are crucial for maintaining an optimal environment for plants during the winter, ensuring their survival and growth.
• Various types of greenhouse heaters are available, including electric, propane gas, and paraffin heaters, each with advantages and considerations.
• When choosing a greenhouse heater, factors include the type of plants you are growing, insulation needs, heat requirements, energy source availability, and proper placement within the greenhouse.

What Is Greenhouse Heater?

A greenhouse heater is an essential component that ensures that your greenhouse has an appropriate atmosphere and warmth necessary for your plants. It provides additional heat inside your greenhouse during winter.

There are many types of greenhouse heaters to choose, depending on their energy sources. But electric greenhouse heaters are the most common and widely used among all the options.

They are super easy to install and use. In addition to this, they are eco-friendly and don’t emit gases harmful to plants.

Are Greenhouse Heaters Worth It?

Greenhouse heaters are essential heating devices that provide a necessary ecosystem to the plants. If you wish to maximise the yield of your plants during winter, greenhouse heaters are worth the investment.

They enable you to grow your favourite plants even in the harshest of weather conditions. When the natural temperatures drop within the greenhouse, your plants can stay warmer and won’t freeze.

Types of Greenhouse Heaters

There are plenty of greenhouse heaters on the market. Based on your requirements and temperature needs, you can choose the right one that best suits your plants.

Having a greenhouse heater benefits your plants in numerous ways. Let’s look at some of the best greenhouse heaters for your plants.

Electric Greenhouse Heaters

One of the best and most common greenhouse heaters is an electric one. It is great if you have a power supply to your greenhouse.

Electric greenhouse heaters are thermostatically controlled. This ensures that heat is delivered only when required. It is a great way to cut down some unnecessary power consumption.

If you have a direct power supply connection to your greenhouse, they are pretty easy to install. These electric fan heaters keep your greenhouse warm and circulate air around the plants. This can help plants from falling prey to cold spots and fungal problems.

Ensure precaution while operating electric greenhouse heaters since water and electricity don’t go well together. It can lead to any accidental mishaps.

Propane Gas Greenhouse Heaters

As the name suggests, propane gas greenhouse heaters are run from propane bottles. They produce CO2, which helps plant growth. In addition to CO2, they also have water vapour, so it’s essential to ensure that the greenhouse is well ventilated.

Propane gas greenhouse heaters also have thermostatic controls. The relatively low cost of gas can make them quite affordable for your greenhouse.

Paraffin Greenhouse Heaters

Paraffin heaters are one of the cheapest manual heaters bought from any local market. The fuel, paraffin, is also affordable but can sometimes be not readily available.

Just like propane gas greenhouse heaters, paraffin heaters also give out CO2, which your plants much need. They are self-contained and don’t require any external power supply.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing Greenhouse Heaters

Before purchasing a greenhouse heater, there are specific points to keep in mind to ensure that you don’t end up buying the wrong choice. Based on your plants’ requirements and surroundings, you can go ahead and choose one that provides optimal warmth to your plants.

Here are a few points you should consider before purchasing a greenhouse heater.

The Kind of Plant You are Growing

The first thing you need to consider is the kind of plant or crop you want to grow or are growing in your greenhouse. Different plants or crops have different temperature requirements.

Some crops are classified as warm-weather crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. At the same time, others are cool-weather crops, like lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage.

The kind of crop you grow best determines the heater requirements. Warm-weather crops will not thrive throughout the cool season. Hence, they require external heating to help them grow.

Your geographical location also plays a vital role in determining the kind of heater you must go for.

How Much Insulation Is Needed?

While a greenhouse heater is essential for plants during colder months, it is also necessary to insulate your greenhouse.

If you live in areas with drastic temperature changes, then insulating your greenhouse will keep your energy costs down, and you won’t have to entirely depend on heaters alone.

Insulation ensures that your plants are protected even on the coldest nights. Your insulation depends on where you live and the kind of crop that you’re growing.

How Much Heat Is Needed?

British Thermal Units or BTUs can help you find out which heater is the best choice for your greenhouse. All greenhouse heaters are given a BTU rating based on the amount of heat.

You can use this number to select the right heater for your plants. The BTU rating ensures that you don’t waste energy by overheating or underheating the well-being of your plants.

What Energy Source Is Needed?

Greenhouse heaters are available in different energy sources. You can choose which energy source you wish to use to keep your plants warm.

People with small greenhouses generally use electric heaters. This energy source requires an accessible power supply connection from your house to the greenhouse.

Natural gas heaters are preferred by people with large greenhouses and are used only when a gas line can run directly to the greenhouse.

Propane-fueled heaters are the most efficient greenhouse heaters since they are very convenient to use.

Where Should Heater be Placed?

The positioning of the heater inside your greenhouse depends on the location of vents and the surface area of the greenhouse. The placement of doors is also another determining factor.

You can seek professional help to better understand the positioning of your greenhouse heater. The correct installation of the heater will ensure that adequate warmth is provided to all plants across your greenhouse.

Features to Consider Before Purchasing Greenhouse Heater

Portability

The portability of greenhouse heaters is a vital feature to consider before buying one. Some heaters are portable and can be placed wherever and whenever needed.

Others are either fixed or hung from the ceiling.

Size of the Area

The power and efficiency of greenhouse heaters vary between models and types. Based on their outputs and strengths, you need to know the size of the area you wish to heat.

Heat Source

Different kinds of greenhouse heaters utilise various heat sources like solar, electricity, or gas. You can choose the heat source based on other factors and select the heater accordingly.

Heat Pump Source: Reliable Heating and Cooling Solutions

At Heat Pump Source, we take pride in our unwavering commitment to serving the UK with top-tier HVAC solutions. From the efficiency of heat pumps and the cool relief of air conditioning to the warmth of boilers, radiators, and underfloor heating, our dedicated team is always at the forefront of innovation. We understand the unique needs of every household and business, and we strive to provide dependable health and cooling products and services that are tailored just for you. Ensuring your comfort and satisfaction is our utmost priority. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or require support, we’re always here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact us; we’re eager to be of service.

Conclusion

Greenhouse heaters are winter essentials for your plants. If you want to enjoy your favorite plants all year, investing in a greenhouse heater is the right choice.

Heaters help your plants survive the most challenging winter nights with adequate temperatures. Based on your requirements, you can choose to purchase one that works effectively in your greenhouse.