[Dora5]

I have made a decision today to get a greenhouse heater.
I have potted on my tomatoes and I do not wish to be taking them out everyday now that they are in big individual pots  .
I just want to warm up the greenhouse to 10 degrees Celsius everynight over the next few weeks so my tomatoe plants are OK.
Please advise so I can make a good choice .
Thank you in advance.

[muckshifter]

I used a paraffin heater in my 6X8 greenhouse for many years,it did the job O.K not to much initial outlay but smelly,needed filling with fuel regularly,not very controllable and of course needed lighting and switching off  at the appropriate times.
I then changed to a 1.9 KW thermostatic propane gas greenhouse heater,what a revelation  , connect the gas bottle,light it,set the thermostat to 10 degrees ( did this with the aid of a thermometer as the scale on the dial isn't quite right  ), I keep a spare bottle of gas in hand and use a gauge affair that goes on the side of the bottle to avoid being without heat.
All in all wish I had bought one years ago.

[smud6ie]

I have not bought paraffin for many a year but was really shocked to see it priced at £8.99 for 4 litres in Countrywide stores. last week.
smud6ie

[muckshifter]

The price of paraffin was the deciding factor in the change to propane,my 3 KW heater was using £15 worth of it a week in cold spells,and the heat output wasn't at all controllable.

[irot]

I've been considering the same thing, how much does it cost you to run the propane heater muckshifter?  I was thinking paraffin, but now you've said what you've said I'm thinking again!

[Totty]

I often wondered about the price of running a gas heater. The initial outlay is quite high but they do make life easy. I did use a parafin heater last year but they are not at all controllable and its a pain to have to light it all the time. I installed an electric point this year and have an electric heater which is a doddle as it just comes on whenever the temp goes below 10. Is gas cheaper than electric?

Totty

[muckshifter]

I use a 19 Kg propane bottle,but it really pays to check prices in your area,our local garden centre charges £42 for an exchange bottle but I found out to my delight that one of our local garages do them for £34.50.
I started heating my greenhouse at the beginning of January and am part way through my second bottle so by my reckoning it will work out at £3 odd a week (in my currency that's less than a 1/2 ounce of baccy a week)
Also take into account that if you don't have a empty propane bottle to hand they sting you for a deposit when you first get one.

[Dora5]

Thank you so much to all who offered their advice.
I am sorry that I have not replied earlier but just did not get a chance as I have been sooo busy lately.

I have picked up an electric greenhouse heater from Argos today. I am not sure whether it is a good choice but soon I will see. I went to B&Q at the weekend and local garden centre and none had the electric heaters in  . I did not want the paraffin heater and although the gas one sounds quite good, I have the electric one now .

Can anyone tell me if I can buy an outside extension lead to use outside? I do have an outside socket but the greenhouse is at the bottom of the garden. Also, what kind of thermostat will I need to buy to use it with the heater?

Sorry for more questions