By: Bill Rowe
Wednesday, 5:09 am
As autumn approaches it means that cooler temperatures are on their way and frost won’t be far behind. For those who have greenhouses that they keep plants in year round, autumn means it is time to start thinking about the greenhouse heaters. If your greenhouse is not heated and needs to be, what kind of heat source should you look for? What about gas greenhouse heaters; what are the pros and cons of that type of heat for a greenhouse?
For most of us the choice of heaters is either electric or gas. When we compare them side by side we see that electric heat is more expensive than gas heat and it is only a convenient source when the greenhouse is at or near a power source. If there is no power source nearby it is very inconvenient to run extension power cords over long distances. On the positive side, electric heat does not produce fumes and it does enable efficient heat distribution.
If you opt for gas heaters, you will have no need for either electrical wiring or a strung out extension cord. You can use gas heaters that are portable and therefore useful during the “off” season. Propane gas costs approximately 50% the cost per BTU as electricity, therefore gas heaters are much less expensive to operate than electrical heaters. On the negative side we find that gas heaters are not quite as efficient as electric heaters and they do produce fumes. Interestingly though, space heaters fueled by propane produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants the space heaters fueled by either electricity or fuel oil.
Chances are if you are a greenhouse gardener you are concerned about the environment. Even if your concern only extends to worry over what sort of chemicals you are ingesting when you buy store-bought produce (enough worry to greenhouse garden) that means you are one of the increasing number of Planet Earth dwellers that have taken action to improve our environment. So, when it comes time to consider what sort of heat to use in your greenhouse, you are likely to look for the greenest alternative.
When comparing electricity and gas above you quickly see how the issue can be a bit cloudy; each type of heat has its advantages and each its disadvantages. But, from an environmental point of view, there really is no comparison. Gas greenhouse heaters are the cleanest option available.
Another advantage of propane is that the placement of propane tanks is not regulated by the EPA, you can place a tank as near to your greenhouse as you want; even underground placement is acceptable. Propane is not damaging to water or soil; it is not toxic and poses no danger to the environment. It is for these reasons that the EPA does not regulate the placing of propane tanks.
Propane is listed as an approved, alternative clean fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act. It is also approved in the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. For those who prefer to preserve and protect our planet, propane is the ideal choice.