When old man winter comes around, you need to purchase a greenhouse heater if you plan to maintain your plants. Selecting the right type of greenhouse heater is one of the most important things you can do. Luckily, most greenhouse heaters are within everyone’s budget.
Depending on the size of your greenhouse, the heaters will vary in prices. If you have a smaller greenhouse that houses just a few plants, you may only need a simple 80 watt heater. The 2ft Tubular Hylite heater retails for around $40. If your current greenhouse is a large one and houses several varieties of plants, you will need a larger heater. One that is more powerful. The Bio Green heater is one such example and the average retail price is £200. As you can see, it is best to decide which size of heater your current greenhouse needs to maintain during the cold winter months.
You also need to consider the type of material that goes into your current greenhouse. Most greenhouses feature plastic as its insulation. Plastic can lose heat quickly during the cold winter nights. The best types of heaters for this particular situation are paraffin or electrical heaters. You should also install a thermostat in your greenhouse. This will allow you to adjust the heat as needed throughout the weeks.
Some may turn to gas heaters instead of paraffin or electrical heaters. While gas tends to have the cheapest running costs, they may not be the most efficient. Gas heaters tend to not put out consistent and even heat within greenhouses.
When choosing your heater for your greenhouse, you need to consider the final costs. Consider the cost of electrical units in your area and how much each type of heater will cost you per hour. For example a paraffin heater can cost twice as much as an electrical heater per hour. Yet when you turn off the paraffin heater, it retains the heat in the greenhouse longer than an electrical one does. Do you plan to run your heaters around the clock or will you use them for a few hours only?
Most prefer the electrical greenhouse heaters for their plants. It is the cheaper option per hour and requires very little equipment. A great option for those who are just starting out in the hobby of gardening. The electrical heater also does not require extensive thermostats and is easy to regulate temperatures. However your choice of heater is your personal preference. There is no wrong answer.
For more tips about finding the right heater for your home, check out these helpful tip sheets: Mr Heater Reviews, Edenpure Quartz Infrared Heater Reviews, and Your Guide to Halogen Heaters.
This article is copyright free.