4 Steps to Maintain Energy Efficiency
Commercial greenhouse growers, for the most part, have had a good 2021. With everyone still hesitant to change their tendencies of staying close to home, spring plant sales were good. Potted crops and other floral crops have moved well.
Energy cost increases, supply chain delays, labor shortages, and significant jumps in most input and shipping costs are potential issues affecting the industry.
Keeping up with general maintenance, such as annual greasing of vent arms, and looking at the cost of running old HPS lights compared to the new advanced LEDs are all helpful in reducing costs. Here are some more steps to consider regarding greenhouse energy efficiency, greenhouse maintenance, and heating system efficiency.
1. Inspect your structure
Check the glazing for cracks or spaces. Any cracks will let in cold air and increase your energy bill. The longer you wait to fix it, the more it will cost. Check to see if any glass is loose. Regularly check that vents close tightly to reduce heat loss.
2. Maximize heating efficiency
Growers need to make sure they’re getting the most out of their heating system. More times than not, simple maintenance can help in Maximizing Heating System Efficiency In Your Commercial Greenhouse. Pipe insulation is the first step. Often the main pipelines from boiler rooms aren’t properly insulated, which causes heat loss. You don’t want valuable heat being wasted in your boiler room instead of effectively distributing the heat in your greenhouse. Inspect all pumps and valves to ensure there aren’t any leaks. The more leaks there are, the more money it costs from your heating system. Review your climate control settings. Seasonal adjustments should be made to compensate for sudden drops in temperature. Test your sensors and gauges. They fail from time to time and need to be replaced. Other things to do are an annual burner and boiler checkup, keeping your boiler room free of clutter, and checking your steam valves.
3. Check your supplemental lighting
Between November and February, greenhouses located in cooler regions experience short days and lower light levels. This makes supplemental lighting a necessary solution. Choosing the Right Lighting for Your Greenhouse is crucial. The lighting you choose, along with how long they operate will depend on the type of crop and temperature. When choosing between HPS and LEDs, just keep in mind that while HPS lights are less expensive, they use 25% more electricity than LEDs. Make sure that the shadow cast from your light fixture doesn’t block any natural light in critical areas of your benches.
4. Consider having energy curtains installed greenhouse energy efficiency
When it comes to energy savings and heating system efficiency, installing curtains properly so they fit tight is important any season of the year. Energy curtains are meant to help modify the climate in your greenhouse when the conditions outside aren’t ideal, thus enhancing greenhouse maintenance. Most of the heating takes place during the night, so having the curtains closed during this period will maintain the heat near the plants while keeping out the cold air, which is crucial for heating system efficiency. While it may be costly to install a double layer curtain, the return on investment is quick in energy savings. Anywhere from 20 to 75 percent. Here are 3 Considerations for Greenhouse Curtains: Using your curtains in the winter, the type of curtains that should be installed, and automating your curtains for maximum energy efficiency.
Following these steps will help you increase energy efficiency and will help to provide an optimal environment for your crops. GGS helps growers get the results they want and are always here to provide you with what you need to improve your greenhouse efficiency. Contact the GGS team today