Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: AlistairMcLennan on February 29, 2012, 11:55

Title: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: AlistairMcLennan on February 29, 2012, 11:55
I tried to heat my greenhouse with a Propane Tank and Heater, very big mistake as in the cold weather it used a 13kg tank in in about 4 days  :(

What do others use to keep their greenhouse warm? I assume I need to insulate it as well? Do people use electric heating?
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: lmpd on February 29, 2012, 12:12
I use a paraffin heater, which is still bloomin' expensive, at about 7 quid for 4 litres and that doesn't even last a week!!! :(
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: DD. on February 29, 2012, 12:22
Electric fan heater, well insulated greenhouse, plug in thermostat set at sufficient to keep the frost off at the mo.

During the current spell, it's not going at all.
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: AlistairMcLennan on February 29, 2012, 16:22
Impd - I thought about Paraffin but decided that was too expensive too.

DD - I had thought about Electric, just need to get a cable to the Greenhouse at bottom of garden  lol  How do you insulate?  Do you put bubble wrap on all of the glass?
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: DD. on February 29, 2012, 16:23
Every bit!
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: AlistairMcLennan on March 01, 2012, 11:08
More questions for you DD  :)

How to you attach the bubblewrap? I was thinking using small spring clamps to attach it on the frame.  Not too keen on using tape or adhesive.

How long do you leave the bubblewrap on for?
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: DD. on March 01, 2012, 11:22
Something like this:

Bubble wrap clips (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gardman-Bubble-Wrap-Greenhouse-Shading-Fixing-Clips-Washers-New-/300670295345?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Structures_Fencing_CV&hash=item4601589d31#ht_500wt_1287)

OK a long as you've slots in the glazing bar!

I try & leave it on all year, as it helps keep the heat out in summer. I renewed it this year.
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: Totty on March 05, 2012, 08:43
I used to use a parafinn heater but found that the lack of adjustment and daily checking, putting out when not needed and relighting to much fuss. Have now installed an electric fan heater which is inside one of those wooden growhouses which is inside the greenhouse. Effectivly i have a large heated propagator which all the tender things go into. I dont personnally need to heat the whole greenhouse now.
 A friend of mine has just got a gas heater which looks good, all temperature controlled, but even though gas is said to be cheaper to run, he now has to get glass cut here and there for ventillation and vents for fumes. Cant go far wrong with electric IMO
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: Caretaker on March 05, 2012, 16:29
At the moment i use a small electric tube heater at night and a electric propagater plus bubble wrap.
Fixed the bubble wrap with hot glue gun, so far it has stayed up.
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: mumofstig on March 05, 2012, 16:32
Something like this:

Bubble wrap clips (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gardman-Bubble-Wrap-Greenhouse-Shading-Fixing-Clips-Washers-New-/300670295345?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Structures_Fencing_CV&hash=item4601589d31#ht_500wt_1287)

OK a long as you've slots in the glazing bar!


I have but the clips seem to keep popping out, have an assortment of clothes pegs holding it all up now  ::)
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: middypuss on March 06, 2012, 22:16
I simply erect a blowaway plastic greenhouse(from argos) in my greenhouse and heat that with a fan heater attached to a thermostatically controlled plug set to 12 centigrade.When its cold costs around 50p/night(worst case scenario around 90p) but recently has cost virtually nothing and you get a large growing area.
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: sizer247 on March 13, 2012, 10:56
i use a parafin heater an i paid £6.50 for 5 litres i only had a small flame an my seeds have come thru in 2 weeks class! i got the heater off ebay brand new £20 not bad , im very pleased with how its worked out
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: mumofstig on March 13, 2012, 10:58
How much parafin did it use in a week?
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: aelf on March 13, 2012, 12:25
I use one of these:

http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/products/parasene-large-cold-frame-heater

But I only paid £3 for it at a car boot sale  :)

It holds about 2 litres of parrafin and, if you keep the wick short, it lasts about 12 days. It is only really for keeping the chill off when the temp drops below freezing but it does a good job.

Downside is that soot builds up on the mesh over the flame and needs cleaning off every couple of days.

Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: BigPaddy on March 13, 2012, 16:53
Small paraffin heater inside four tier greenhouse thingy inside greenhouse.

I am also considering trying what I saw another chap doing. He has a candle in a clay pot. On top of that he puts another pot upside down. The pots warm up and give out enough warmth to keep a covered space within the greenhouse nice and warm. I think there is something in restricted airflow which makes the candle burn slowly, I'll need to ask about that.

BIG-Paddy
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: sickboyshadow on May 15, 2012, 23:14
Hi new to the site but have a small poly tunnel in my garden.

I use a small paraffin heater keeps the temp at around 8 - 10 degrees

I searched on google and found a local petrol station that still sells paraffin at 92p a litre, you just take a petrol can down. So is not to expensive
Title: Re: Heating a Greenhouse
Post by: mumofstig on May 15, 2012, 23:18
I have the paraffin heater on for the coldest nights in the glasshouse and tonight there are 2 fat candles alight in the polycarb g/house as well.