|
Post by Flytrap on Apr 4, 2006 1:32:15 GMT -5
Hi all -
a lot of the CP advice out there is geared for the many international CP societies out there ...and thus have a lot of 'stuff' not available here in Canada. In particular, are the Australian, Singaporean and warmer US places that enjoy the company of the lowland Nepenthes. *envy*
I really enjoy the UK forum, but I hadn't seen much on this topic... so, Here's my question to all of you temperate growers: What's an efficient and economical way to heat a greenhouse and/or large terrarium in Canada?
|
|
|
Post by Syble on Apr 4, 2006 8:08:41 GMT -5
Well that depends on weather you like green power or if your more interested in natural gass... I do remember from my schooling days that the 2 coasts are the hardest places to have greenhouses, the east because of the wind and cold, the west because of the clouds and mountains. All of the green houses here are typically heated with natural gass. There are a gaining amount for wind and geothermic energy.... and a fair amount of small houses are fond of the wood fuel. But that's here, near leamington the tomatoe capital! Sib
|
|
|
Post by Flytrap on Apr 4, 2006 11:34:20 GMT -5
I was thinking of building a hot water loop cycle... that way, if the electricity cuts, the hot water will stay remain warm in the tubes for a few hours while I scramble about for a propane heater backup. Any experience from any of you?
Wood burning may work for me, but how do you control the amount of heat? ie. it gets really hot when it starts up, and then slowly burns itself down over time.
Green energy sounds cool, but the problem is energy storage cells and windpower when the weather is calm.
|
|
|
Post by Syble on Apr 4, 2006 14:18:22 GMT -5
Geothermic energy is also considered green. Here the wood systems are common more for houses. My neighbour claude uses it as his only means of heating his house, and hot watter, ect. It's very safe aslo as your not actually burning it in your house or green house as it may be. He has an outhouse looking building on the opposite side of his driveway from his house, stokes it up I think twice a day? A water pump of sorts controles the temperature, the hotter it's needed, the faster the water is pumped, and vice versa, slower cycle equals lower temperature. Thanks, Sib
|
|
|
Post by tom on Apr 4, 2006 17:57:27 GMT -5
For your setup, it much depend of what you are looking for as Temperature, size of your terrarium/greenhouse, which type of light (natural, artificial, both), climate, exposition (to sun, wind) price of different type of energy of your area (in fact, which is the cheapest, and the ease of use/storage of it), and your average temperature in winter.
For a moderatly sized terrarium, I think a submersible aquarium heater in a good layer of water a the bottom of a tank, with a fan and insulating the outter wall of the terrarium if need should be the easiest.
For a greenhouse, well, I would need more info (as above) to try to find solution (I have a course right now named: Cultivation in greenhouses, so it's the right time to test if I learned my lessons haha).
A friend of mine is having his greenhouse heated by a wood furnace and hot water in pipe. I,ll ask him to explain me how he did his setup when I'll see him (about late april)
|
|