Heaters
The above picture is of a heater. Heaters are important in greenhouses during the cool season because it creates a warm climate that your plants need if they aren't freeze resistant. The recommended kind of heater, an electric fan heater, should be placed in an open space on one side of the greenhouse. |
Thermostat
The above picture is of a standard thermostat. The importance of the thermostat is simple: it allows you too know the temperature of the greenhouse so that you can adjust it. You can locate this somewhere in the middle of the greenhouse, and not directly on the walls or it might pick up the wrong temperature. Most electric heating systems come with a thermostat that can be adjusted. |
Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans are fans that help circulate the exhaust fumes out of your greenhouse. They are important because a build up of these fumes can be dangerous. You should put in an exhaust fan on the opposite wall that you put shutters on. |
Circulation Fans (also called Horizontal Air Fans)
Circulation fans are small fans that create a flow of air that circulates throughout the greenhouse. These are important because the horizontal flow is healthy for the plants. You should place the fans every 50' to 60' on each row, and you don't need to angle them towards the plants. |
Evaporative Cooling
Evaporated cooling is a system using fans and/or pads to decrease the temperature of the air. As water evaporates from the pads it uses up energy thus reducing the temperature. The best way to install one of the systems is to consider the optimal distance between the pad and fans. You need to take into account the dimensions of the greenhouse and the tolerance your plants have to high temperatures. When you have more of a range of the plants tolerance, you can put a greater distance between the two. |
Shade Cloth
Shade cloths are typically made out of a material that wont rot or get mildew on it. It is a grid like mesh that can be placed above plants to prevent them from getting direct sunlight. This can be useful when you have certain plants that need less sun than others. The material can also be cut so it can be more specific to your plants. You should place this cloth above the plants that need less sunlight than others. |
Horizontal Fans
Horizontal fans are much like circulation fans, and they do basically the same thing. They are fans that help the circulation in your greenhouse. Good circulation can lower the chances for disease and many other harmful things. You should place these fans throughout your greenhouse to help keep the air completely circulating. |
Flood Floor
A flood floor is a floor completely made of concrete strategically angled so that it will collect the excess water from irrigation to reuse. Most of the time, plants will be placed on the flooded floor and they will get as much water as they need. |