(Newswire.net — May 7, 2019) — Greenhouse growers are facing fierce competition in today’s dynamic market, with so many companies producing high-quality crops at a low cost. But with the increasing operating costs, it is tough to remain competitive. In addition to operating costs, energy costs are also rising. You can come up with energy-efficient greenhouses that are less costly to operate to help you pad your bottom line without compromising the quality of produce.
1. Develop a wooden greenhouse
If you’re looking for an affordable and energy-efficient greenhouse, then wooden greenhouses should definitely be on top of your list. Usually, you need to install a heater in the greenhouse to maintain the temperature at night. Using a wooden greenhouse can save the need to use a heater. These units provide natural insulation. They can absorb the sunlight during the day and retain the heat at night. So, these greenhouses don’t need a heater unless you have very chilly winters where the temperature goes below 0 degrees.
2. Use solar cells
Many gardeners are trying to upgrade the lights inside the greenhouse to cut down energy costs. While this may be a useful technique, you can save more by installing solar cells. LED lights are the best replacements for conventional lights in a greenhouse. You can upgrade your lights to greenhouse LED light strips later after you install solar cells around the greenhouse. This can also minimize the energy costs from the heater if you need to install one due to the low temperature in your place during winters.
3. Add a thermal screen
Most greenhouse coverings have clear panels to allow sunlight to enter the unit. However, these panels are poor insulators. Even if you have a wooden greenhouse that provides natural insulation, it is essential to have thermal screens if you want to make the unit more energy-efficient.
Thermal screens can minimize nighttime heat loss in winter. Install a movable thermal screen that draws across the walls and roofs of the greenhouse. They offer dual benefits to your greenhouse – the screens will provide shade to the plants from excessive sunlight during peak summer and provide thermal insulation during the cold nights in winter. These screens can save 30 to 40% of the annual heating costs.
4. Insulate the greenhouse perimeter
Often, the greenhouse loses most of the heat from its perimeter along the bottom of the sidewall and through the ground. You can reduce a significant amount of energy loss by installing an insulated board around the perimeter. Depending on the area of the greenhouse, it can save almost 5 to 10% of the energy on heating costs. Make sure the insulated board extends from the greenhouse benches to the soil along the perimeter of the greenhouse.
Energy-efficient greenhouses are the trend these days. This has enabled gardeners to compete with bigger companies when it comes to producing high-quality organic vegetables. It’s easy to lose track of your greenhouse’s energy-efficiency, so be sure to keep up on these tips to help keep more money in your pocket.