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Home > Archive > Gardening in England > April 2006 > Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
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Greenhouse Heaters - Gas or Electric - Which is best?
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| Redrose 2006-04-12, 2:21 pm |
| Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
the electric bill is getting rather large!
I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
thoughts about this?
Thank you,
Tony.
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| Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;¬) 2006-04-12, 3:21 pm |
| Redrose wrote:
> Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
> the electric bill is getting rather large!
>
> I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
> thoughts about this?
what about Paraffin?
My Mum gets 4 gallons each autumn from what's left in the paraffin tank
in our stock room and that does her all winter.
Although her greenhouse is only a small one.
--
http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK.
http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL!
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| cineman 2006-04-12, 3:21 pm |
| Regarding Gas, this makes a great deal of moisture in the air, so will need
well ventilating, which rather negates the purpose.
As far as electric is concerned, assuming you are aware of the saftey needs,
3Kw sounds a bit OTT, I have used a 700w convector heater this year, on a
timer, 1 hour on 1 hour off, even with -5c havent lost any plants or
seedlings yet.
regards
Cineman
"Redrose" <redrose@mytrashmail.com> wrote in message
news:9d91f$443d2ba4$3e1e217b$31836@news.usenext.de...
> Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater.
> but
> the electric bill is getting rather large!
>
> I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has
> anybody any
> thoughts about this?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Tony.
>
| |
| Malcolm Race 2006-04-12, 3:21 pm |
| Redrose wrote:
> Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
> the electric bill is getting rather large!
>
> I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
> thoughts about this?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Tony.
>
Why heat the whole greenhouse? I am currently bringing on approx 250
Busy Lizzies and 100 Geraniums in an electrically heated propagator
(within a greenhouse). This is a bed of sand with an insulated base and
an 80W soil warming cable. On top is a 4' x 2' cold frame insulated
with bubble plastic. In a worst case scenario with external temp below
zero, the air temp in the propagator is always above 8C. I have used
this system for 4 or 5 years and have had no problems.
Malcolm
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| htmark98 2006-04-12, 4:21 pm |
| I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
double socket to stick to glass?
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"htmark98" <paycheck98@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1144867575.570610.12400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
> I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
> double socket to stick to glass?
>
You don't. You put an extra bit of wood in, across the glass if required,
but firmly fixed to the firm structure, and fit the socket to that.
By the mode of question, I guess you are DIY. Are you aware of the safety
implications here? Electricity has no respect for human skin and life. You
are only dead once. Electrics and water do not mix ............. unless you
know how and when and the greenhouse is not one of them
Mike
Marine Electrical Design Engineer (Rtd)
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| htmark98 2006-04-12, 5:21 pm |
| Yeah know how electrics just never seen sockets in an all glass house,
seen them on a brick/glass ones. How do you stick wood to a couple of
cms of aluminum which is very soft stuff?
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| The Natural Philosopher 2006-04-12, 5:21 pm |
| Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;¬) wrote:
> Redrose wrote:
>
> what about Paraffin?
>
> My Mum gets 4 gallons each autumn from what's left in the paraffin tank
> in our stock room and that does her all winter.
>
> Although her greenhouse is only a small one.
>
Gas and paraffin also add wter vapour and CO2, which may be good for plants.
Lost cheaper than lectrickery
| |
| BoyPete 2006-04-12, 5:21 pm |
| Mike wrote:
>
> "htmark98" <paycheck98@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1144867575.570610.12400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
>
> You don't. You put an extra bit of wood in, across the glass if
> required, but firmly fixed to the firm structure, and fit the socket
> to that.
>
> By the mode of question, I guess you are DIY. Are you aware of the
> safety implications here? Electricity has no respect for human skin
> and life. You are only dead once. Electrics and water do not mix
> ............. unless you know how and when and the greenhouse is not
> one of them
>
> Mike
> Marine Electrical Design Engineer (Rtd)
And I beleive current regs/law, is that this should be installed by a
qualified electrician, or checked by one, and a safety cert. issued. I'm
told cost of check and cert is around £80! Take care my friend.
--
ßôyþëtë
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| Phil L 2006-04-12, 5:21 pm |
| BoyPete wrote:
> Mike wrote:
>
> And I beleive current regs/law, is that this should be installed by a
> qualified electrician, or checked by one, and a safety cert. issued.
> I'm told cost of check and cert is around £80! Take care my friend.
He could do the same as dozens of other people and run an extension lead
down there, it will only be for 3 or 4 weeks at the most, once May gets here
it will be redundant.
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| Mike Lyle 2006-04-12, 5:21 pm |
| htmark98 wrote:
> Yeah know how electrics just never seen sockets in an all glass house,
> seen them on a brick/glass ones. How do you stick wood to a couple of
> cms of aluminum which is very soft stuff?
Try Maplin or any real electrical supplier, and explain the problem.
They'll have an in-line waterproof connection set which won't need to be
attached to anything, just hung out of the way. You should be fused down
for power coming from the house wiring, of course (as if I ever
bothered!).
--
Mike.
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--
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"Mike Lyle" <mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4a54tmFra3u8U1@individual.net...
> htmark98 wrote:
>
You don't 'stick' it, you fix it using the fixings of the greenhouse. I have
battens and shelving fitted to an Ali greenhouse.
Soft? High powered fast ferries are made of Ali. Life Boats are made of Ali.
With the proper support and fixings, Ali is very light and strong. Soft in
certain comparisons, but tough.
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| Chris Bacon 2006-04-12, 6:21 pm |
| htmark98 wrote:
> I'm thinking of running electric to my greenhouse how do you get a
> double socket to stick to glass?
Use a TIG welder.
HTH.
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"Chris Bacon" <chrispbacon@thai.com> wrote in message
news:443d6b34@newsgate.x-privat.org...
> htmark98 wrote:
>
> Use a TIG welder.
>
> HTH.
Double side sticky tape for speed
| |
| chris French 2006-04-12, 10:21 pm |
| In message <4a53usFrgeovU1@individual.net>, BoyPete
<petcrow@lineone.net> writes
>Mike wrote:
>
>And I beleive current regs/law, is that this should be installed by a
>qualified electrician, or checked by one, and a safety cert. issued. I'm
>told cost of check and cert is around £80! Take care my friend.
Sort of. This would probably come under part P of the building regs. You
have the choice of getting it installed by someone who is a member of
one of the recognised organisations who can self certify. Put in a
building regs application - the local BCO will organised whatever
inspection they require. There are fees for BR applications.
Ignore Part P, and just do it.
--
Chris French
| |
| chris French 2006-04-12, 10:21 pm |
| In message <9d91f$443d2ba4$3e1e217b$31836@news.usenext.de>, Redrose
<redrose@mytrashmail.com> writes
>Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse
how big?
>by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
>the electric bill is getting rather large!
>
To what temp are you heating - a few degrees makes a lot of difference.
Is the Gh insulated with Bubble wrap etc., are you heating the whole lot
or have you partitioned off a bit?
--
Chris French
| |
| The Natural Philosopher 2006-04-12, 10:21 pm |
| htmark98 wrote:
> Yeah know how electrics just never seen sockets in an all glass house,
> seen them on a brick/glass ones. How do you stick wood to a couple of
> cms of aluminum which is very soft stuff?
>
Car body filler
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--
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"Owain" <owain47125@stirlingcity.coo.uk> wrote in message
news:1144880594.9758.4@damia.uk.clara.net...
> htmark98 wrote:
>
> Well duh.
>
> You drill a square hole in the glass and use a dry-lining box
>
> Owain
OH MY GOD you will now be lambasted for giving wrong and misleading and
dangerous information. Go get him owners. Where have you come from?
Gardenbanter? ;-)
Mike
| |
| Rob Morley 2006-04-13, 12:21 pm |
| In article <Gfb%f.38394$8Q3.4710@fe1.news.blueyonder.co.uk>
cineman <oldwifey@midlands.dontwanadoo48.com> wrote:
> Regarding Gas, this makes a great deal of moisture in the air,
.... and everyone knows how bad water is for plants ...
| |
| meow2222@care2.com 2006-04-13, 4:21 pm |
| Redrose wrote:
> Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
> the electric bill is getting rather large!
>
> I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
> thoughts about this?
electric is the most expensive of all options. If you use electric
ensure its on an rcd, or for a permanent install, an rcbo for each
circuit. Electrics in greenhouses are different to electrics in the
house, and leakages due to water, damp, bugs and dirt are to be
expected. Use toughened glass bulbs (eg PAR38), enclosed fittings, or
preferably fl/cfl. GLS and halogen bulbs are liable to shatter.
Bottled gas works well and is pretty safe. With 2 cylinders and a
changeover valve you can ensure it doesnt freeze now and then and you
dont waste gas.
Paraffin is the cheapest, but isnt really safe. CO ouput is something
they do unless you keep a proper eye on them at all times, a wick that
isnt kept trimmed and shaped will produce CO. They can get knocked
over. Nearly all are spill proof but if you screwed the cap on askew it
wont be, and there are heaters that arent spill proof. Daytime
ventilation before entering the greenhouse is good practice with
paraffin. When these heaters were used in houses, deaths occurred.
The 2 other options are solar thermal and insulation. A layer of
polythene of bubble wrap will reduce heat loss day and night, and an
external sheet of silvered mylar can reflect more heat and light in
during the day. Raising daytime temp increases the night time minimum,
more so if youve got insulation.
Directing central heating boiler exhaust into the greenhouse is an
effective option rarely used, and is as safe as portable gas heating.
Might not be very effective if youve got a 95% efficient boiler though.
Controlled house ventilation with the exhaust to the greenhouse is one
last option.
NT
| |
| meow2222@care2.com 2006-04-13, 8:21 pm |
| Redrose wrote:
> Hello, at the moment I am heating my greenhouse by a 3 kw Electric heater. but
> the electric bill is getting rather large!
>
> I am thinking of switching to a Propane Gas heater of 2 - 3 kw, has anybody any
> thoughts about this?
electric is the most expensive of all options. If you use electric
ensure its on an rcd, or for a permanent install, an rcbo for each
circuit. Electrics in greenhouses are different to electrics in the
house, and leakages due to water, damp, bugs and dirt are to be
expected. Use toughened glass bulbs (eg PAR38), enclosed fittings, or
preferably fl/cfl. GLS and halogen bulbs are liable to shatter.
Bottled gas works well and is pretty safe. With 2 cylinders and a
changeover valve you can ensure it doesnt freeze now and then and you
dont waste gas.
Paraffin is the cheapest, but isnt really safe. CO ouput is something
they do unless you keep a proper eye on them at all times, a wick that
isnt kept trimmed and shaped will produce CO. They can get knocked
over. Nearly all are spill proof but if you screwed the cap on askew it
wont be, and there are heaters that arent spill proof. Daytime
ventilation before entering the greenhouse is good practice with
paraffin. When these heaters were used in houses, deaths occurred.
The 2 other options are solar thermal and insulation. A layer of
polythene of bubble wrap will reduce heat loss day and night, and an
external sheet of silvered mylar can reflect more heat and light in
during the day. Raising daytime temp increases the night time minimum,
more so if youve got insulation.
Directing central heating boiler exhaust into the greenhouse is an
effective option rarely used, and is as safe as portable gas heating.
Might not be very effective if youve got a 95% efficient boiler though.
Controlled house ventilation with the exhaust to the greenhouse is one
last option.
NT
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