planning ahead for winter-solar pool covers

[mojomick]

I know it is the midst of summer and people are fighting the heat, but I am trying to plan ahead for winter. I have been reading old posts about using solar pool covers over the greenhouse for winter insulation. Does anyone have any experience now that it is several years later? Does it work? Any problems? Best way to hold it in place with wind. I live in zone 6, winter heating bills are high. Thanks, Mojomick

[Ray]

You're basically talking about huge sheets of "bubble-cap" plastic material, aren't you? If the bubble side is adhered to the interior of the greenhouse covering, it will act as extra insulation.

A couple of things to consider: insulation works by having air pockets that are not connected, so the more bubble, the better, and it will reduce the incoming light intensity a bit - not a great deal, but some.

[DebsC]

I was hoping there would be more interest in this topic by now. I've been thinking about the same thing. Even though I live in Arkansas and our winters don't get as cold as yours, they can get below zero F for a week or two at a time.

I heat my greenhouse with propane so I need to cut corners everywhere I can!!! Right now I line the inside each fall with a heavy duty plastic, staple it to the frame.

But it's a job!!! And since it goes below the vents and exhaust fan, the timing has be right or the GH will get too hot.

Here's some links to the solar pool covers I've been looking at. If anyone has any ideas on snugging up the GH for winter, I hope you'll share.

Solar Pool Covers, Solar Pool Blankets

Pool Solar Covers

Also, here's a pretty good article about winterizing greenhouses.

Dealing with the High Cost of Energy for Greenhouse Operations

Good luck and I hope you'll let us know what you decide to do.

[jowben1]

If you are going to purchase one, check out Craigs List, as I see them for sale quite often.Actually I have one in my storage room that's never been used.

[dounoharm]

i bought one last winter and used it all winter....i was pleased with the savings on propane....i saved 15-20% i think....i went from using 120 gallons a month to 100....or just under....i just put it up here for the second year....i hope it does as well, tho there are a few little rips in it...i put grommets in the sides and fastnen it down with clips on the roof line and bungees down the sides...this year i switched propane companies....i found a company that offers an agricultural rate for propane, its .60 less a gallon.....so i anticipate quite a diff in savings over this winter.....i just have the pool cover over the roof, not the sides, as i hear that can cause your humidity to skyrocket....and i am in nc, not a major cold area, but we get quite a bit of freezing weather....any pool supplier can get you one, i ordered from some outfit online...make sure you get grommets on it or install them yourself....gl

[nutgirl]

Is everyone referring to the floating bubble wrap-style pool blankets that are colored blue? Don't they make the greenhouse too dark?

Maureen

[jowben1]

Mine is clear....

[nutgirl]

Thanks, Jowben1

Duhhhh, shows you how much I know, I always thought they were blue.

Maureen