greenhouse heaters - Page 3 - Orchid Board

ericst11 · #21 02-01-2010, 06:01 PM

does anyone have any good links to look at and price greenhouse heaters or other types of heaters that can be used in that setting.

Becca · #22 02-01-2010, 06:23 PM

I just did a Google search for Greenhouse Gas Heaters and found a couple of links that looks like they could be useful:

Modine Heaters, Greenhouse Heaters, Greenhouse Heating, Garage Heaters, Garage Heating, Warehouse Heaters, Warehouse Heating, Dayton Garage Heater, Hot Dawg Heater, Gas Heaters, Electric Heaters, Portable Heaters, Oil Heaters, Commercial Heaters, Ind

ACF Greenhouse Heaters & Heater Size + Cost to Heat Calculators

Edit for Another link: http://www.greenhouses-etc.net/heating/index.html

harrywitmore · #23 02-01-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

What is the other option for a thermostat then? I planned on having electricity to run the fans n such anyways...just not for the heater. But I thought I would ask anyways for those who do not intend to have electricity at all.

I believe there are other models that do not have electronic thermostats but I'm not sure what they are. The fans won't work on any if the power is off of course. I would just make sure you know how the thermostat works.

BikerDoc5968 · #24 02-01-2010, 06:29 PM

Becca without the invisible stuff you have nothing! I got tired of the power outages in my area a few years back and installed a whole house natural gas generator. The G/H is on that circuit so I don't have that problem but for others without this type of backup plan, could get pretty cold in the G/H. I guess you could go the route of solar panels or DC batteries.... build a fire in the middle of the GH???????

Home Depot/Lowes sell a blue flame, non-vented, 30,000Btu/hr heater for $238.00/$269.00 that will heat 1000 sq/ft. All of these "Blue Flame" heaters are pretty much the same no matter what name is on the faceplate.

ericst11 · #25 02-02-2010, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the links i will be doing my research and i was woundering do the blue flame heaters work as well and how often do you have to change tanks and what size tank do you need in a propane system.

BikerDoc5968 · #26 02-02-2010, 09:45 AM

Eric, you seem very interested in the propane units. Is that because you don't have an available natural gas source? Or something else? Both units work exactly the same except one of them is rated slightly lower in Btu's... can't recall at this moment... But the propane units take up more room because of the tank, unless your thoughts are to bury a large refillable tank or have something above ground outside the G/H. I have no experience with how long the propane lasts but think about your BBQ tank and when it comes to heating, I would imagine that size tank would be a drop in the ocean! Natural gas is just a 1/2" flex copper line with some compression fittings and shut-off valve.

harrywitmore · #27 02-02-2010, 09:45 AM

Your gas company will help you size a tank. You will want a permanent tank since the smaller ones would need to be filled too often. For one heater I would have at least a 100 gallon tank. It all depends on how big the heater, how warm you intend to keep it and what the normal degree days is for your area. I would opt for larger as opposed to smaller. It cost more to fill but needs filling less often.

If you have Natural Gas available I would definitely go with it. Propane I think is more expensive and is much more dangerous in the event there is a leak.

BikerDoc5968 · #28 02-02-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

Your gas company will help you size a tank. You will want a permanent tank since the smaller ones would need to be filled too often. For one heater I would have at least a 100 gallon tank. It all depends on how big the heater, how warm you intend to keep it and what the normal degree days is for your area. I would opt for larger as opposed to smaller. It cost more to fill but needs filling less often.

As you can tell I'm a real lover of NG.... but Harry brings up another thought and that is SUPPLY.... NG never has to be refilled nor does it run out and that would be the last thing you need on a cold winter weekend night is an empty propane tank.... granted none of these "gas" heaters are perfect because the pilot flame could go out and if you don't have some way of monitoring the temp... well, you get the picture! That's why I have the 240W electric backup and I have a wireless thermometer so I can see what's going on from inside my home.

ericst11 · #29 02-02-2010, 12:05 PM

Thanks for the info i think i will go with natual gas i just have to find out where my line is and i'll call for that and find someone to do it , sounds like thats the way to go and now to find a system to heat it i wont need it till next winter but i want to start looking to save my pennys and know as much as possible. So i might know what to look for . I know everyone differant but to get the gist of things is better then going into it blind folded. thank you.

BikerDoc5968 · #30 02-02-2010, 02:32 PM

Eric, is your home on a slab or do you have a basement? It will cost tons to try to find a gas line outside and then to connect to it. I guess more importantly is how far from the house is the G/H going to be located. If you heat with NG in your home then the gas line is right there and you simply tap into that line with a compression "T" and run your gas line placing a shut-off for the new line somewhere along its length. Gas lines are EASY! all you need is a pipe cutter for about $10.00 and a flaring tool about $20.00. A contractor will cost you tons! Now if the G/H will be located some distance from the home then you can still tap into the source in the basement but you'd be better served by running black pipe out to the G/H and burring it.