Are you a passionate gardener hoping to prolong the length of your growing season or keep your greenhouse warm in the winter? By installing a warm floor heating system, you can effectively maintain warmth in a greenhouse. By keeping temperatures at their ideal levels, it not only distributes heat evenly but also encourages healthier plant growth. We’ll walk you through the steps of installing a heating system in your greenhouse in this guide so you can easily complete the task on your own.
It’s important to comprehend the fundamentals of how a warm floor heating system operates before getting too technical with installation. A warm floor system radiates heat upwards from the ground, in contrast to conventional heating techniques that depend on air circulation. By using this technique, plants are guaranteed to receive warmth at their roots, simulating the environments in which they naturally flourish. Furthermore, radiant heat uses less energy and distributes heat evenly, making the environment comfortable for gardeners and plants alike.
Let’s now address the practical aspects. An experienced do-it-yourselfer is not necessary to install a warm floor system in your greenhouse. With the correct supplies, equipment, and a little perseverance, you can complete this project expertly. We will provide you clear diagrams and instructional videos to help you along the way, along with step-by-step instructions. All the information you require to get started is available, regardless of your level of experience with gardening.
There are various options available for selecting the heating system for your greenhouse, such as hydronic and electric systems. Depending on variables like greenhouse size, climate, and individual preferences, each has pros and cons. We’ll thoroughly examine each of these choices, assisting you in choosing the best one to meet your unique requirements. We’ll also go over the significance of using the right insulation and heat retention strategies to optimize your heating system’s efficiency.
We’ll go over how to install a warm floor system yourself in this guide on setting up a heating system for a greenhouse. In addition to keeping your greenhouse comfortable on chilly days, a warm floor encourages the best possible growth for your plants. We’ll simplify the procedure into clear instructions that are complemented by instructional videos and diagrams. This article will provide you the tools to create a cozy and supportive environment for your plants while getting the satisfaction of a do-it-yourself project, regardless of how experienced you are with gardening.
- Is it possible to make a warm floor in a greenhouse?
- Methods of soil heating
- Water floor
- Electric floors
- Air heating
- Bi -heater
- Which heating system to choose and why
- Installation of infrared film
- How to maintain the temperature at the right level
- Video on the topic
- Preparation of greenhouses for landing. We start the heating system after winter.
- Heating in the greenhouse. We lay the warm floor
- House heating: warm floor and radiator!
Is it possible to make a warm floor in a greenhouse?
You cannot survive the winter without greenhouse heating. There are several heating systems in use, but warm floors are the most efficient and cost-effective. They heat the soil uniformly and produce the appropriate microclimate.
There are several benefits to installing a heating floor in a greenhouse.
- allows you to grow plants in any season;
- provides rapid germination of seeds;
- leads to accelerated development and early fruiting of plants;
- creates suitable conditions for growing the most thermophilic cultures;
- does not dry the air and does not burn oxygen;
- reduces the risk of the formation of burns on the leaves;
- reduces energy consumption.
Warm floors in greenhouses create ideal conditions for agricultural crops to bear fruit all year round.
Methods of soil heating
The primary goal of warming the soil in the greenhouse is to give the plants the ideal temperature. It is advised to use a combined heating method because it is crucial that the earth not dry out when heated.
Different systems, such as air heating or warm floors (electric, water, or infrared), can be used to heat greenhouses.
Water floor
A warm water floor is made up of multiple layers, each of which has a specific function. The pipeline, which circulates coolant, is the primary component. Polymers, metals, and polycarbonate make up pipes.
The floor pipeline is installed in accordance with various "Snail" or "Snake" schemes. It is connected to the collector group and the power source, which could be the boiler, central heating, or boiler.
TO advantages The greenhouse’s hydropols, which are beneficial to plants, include the surface’s uniform warming and the heat’s vertical distribution. Furthermore, the sexual water system uses little energy and takes up no space that could be used.
Basic minus such sexes: the room’s lost height as a result of the structure’s multiple layers of "pie." Furthermore, since a pump unit and heating equipment must be purchased, installation won’t be inexpensive.
Electric floors
It’s obvious from the name that electric floors run on electricity. Although the installation process for these models is far simpler and more cost-effective than water heating, they are rarely installed in greenhouses due to high electricity tariffs.
- Cable – cable laid on the floor according to the Snake or Snail scheme. The installation process is similar to laying a water floor.
The benefits of cable electric floors include uniform heating, longevity, and low cost. Cons: Expensive electricity and time-consuming installation.
- Cable mats – their difference from cable floors is that the wire is fixed on the grid according to a certain scheme, so the laying process is much easier.
- Infrared – carbon fumes film, and waterproof coating. The floor is easy to install, and does not require filling the screed. Emits heat in the form of infrared waves. Since the thermal efficiency of the infrared canvas is not high, the film is laid in a depth of not more than 15 – 20 cm, so there is a risk of its mechanical damage during land. The plus of such systems is a uniform distribution of heat, and the saving of electricity.
A thermostat with a sensor is needed to adjust electric floors; this makes the configuration process automatic.
The existence of adjacent electrical networks is a prerequisite for the greenhouse’s electric heating system.
Air heating
One straightforward method of heating the greenhouses is air heating. Arranging such a design on your own is not hard, and it also doesn’t require a big financial outlay. However, this model’s heat is insufficient for the winter and is only appropriate for the spring and autumn seasons.
The heat buildup that enters the greenhouse during the day is the basic operating principle. The 200 mm clay layer that makes up the battery is hidden by the foliage.
This is how the procedure appears:
- Air masses move through asbestos pipes (size 100 – 200 mm), under the influence of a small fan;
- on the attraction of the day, the air gives heat through the walls of the pipe clay;
- at night – she transfers the accumulated warmth to the beds.
Clay is covered with a heat-insulating material to improve heating efficiency.
Winter operation of this system is possible, but improvements and investments are required. To accomplish this, you must install a heater in the space, such as a wood or gas furnace. Heat will travel from it to the soil via pipes.
Bi -heater
A cost-effective way to keep the greenhouse at the ideal temperature is with a bi-heater. The foundation is biomaterial, which releases heat during its breakdown:
- mowed weeded grass or fallen foliage;
- waste of animal life;
- sawdust.
It is advised to install combined heating to simultaneously maintain the ideal temperature of the soil and air in the greenhouse.
The low temperature (+25) and inability to modify the heating intensity are the drawbacks of this type of heating.
Which heating system to choose and why
You should consider your financial situation as well as the characteristics and location of the greenhouse when selecting a warm floor for it. The price of the coolant is another crucial indicator.
The choice points toward the water’s floor if there is a nearby source of hot water. This option is better even if there is only cold water available, as it is sufficient to install a low-cost water heater.
Electric floors are the better option if there is no water supply and a power grid is present. Large greenhouses should be heated with cable models. Cable systems need to have a minimum power of 75 watts per m2 in order to heat the soil efficiently. You can install the film if the greenhouse is small enough, as it can be used to heat a small space and is easy to install.
When a multi-tariff meter is installed, electric heating is more frequently used, which lowers the cost of heating the greenhouse at night.
- Then you need to compact the base, it is better to make it a rink.
- Lay thermal insulation – foam 100 mm.
- Cover the insulation with polyethylene film.
- Pour the film with sand – a layer of 50 mm.
- Pour sand with water – it will make it denser.
- Install the mounting grid – it is needed to fix the pipeline.
- Put the pipes – recommended diameter 2 cm, distance between loops 200 – 300 mm. It is better to take metal, they carry out heat well. When using plastic products, you need to put a protective mounting net on top of the pipes.
- Pour the pipeline with another layer of sand.
- Lay out the soil on top of the sand.
The water floor supply pipes and return are then connected to the heat source via pipes. There are several methods for doing this.
- It is necessary to install a mixing and distribution node with a three-way tap and an additional pump. According to this scheme, part of the coolant from the boiler goes to the batteries. This is an expensive option and does not suit everyone.
- Directing water from the return of radiators to the warm floor is cheap and full -fledged heating.
Connecting the home boiler to the heated floors in the greenhouse will be the most cost-effective solution.
- The soil layer is removed 30 – 40 cm with a spatula. It is better to do this in warm weather, then the layer of land is easy to throw aside.
- The base is compacted and filled with sand – 5 cm. A polyethylene film for waterproofing is laid on it.
- Wire hooks are made, they will be fixed with a cable. It is possible to lay it without them, but there is a risk that the wire shift during installation. Hooks can be replaced with a mounting grid to which the cable will be attached.
- Strips of thermal insulation material, 6 – 7 cm wide, are cut out. They are laid on top of the film, in the locations of the cable.
- The heating element is placed on the isolation of the "snake", and is fixed with hooks.
- The wire is connected to the thermostat, which is located at the planned place.
- The temperature sensor is installed. It is passed under the cable and fixed with a bracket. All wires leading to the regulator and sensor are placed in a corrugated pipe, this will protect them from damage.
- The cable is covered with a film, and is covered with sand – a layer of 5 cm.
- Fertile soil is poured on top.
Now that the greenhouse’s floor is heated, you can move on to the test check.
Installation of infrared film
All models undergo the same preparatory work when warm floors are built in the greenhouse, and the infrared film is no different.
- The canvases are connected to a single circuit, the device is connected to the thermostat. All connecting couplings are isolated.
- The heating element is covered with polyethylene.
- The film is covered with a layer of wet sand, and a metal mesh is laid on top.
- The removed soil layer is returned to place, temperature sensors are installed in its middle.
Subsequently, the greenhouse’s warm infrared electric floor ought to be tested.
How to maintain the temperature at the right level
Many greenhouse crops do best at temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees. A temperature of thirty degrees is needed in the aisles of the greenhouse if it is intended to grow seedlings before planting them in the ground.
A thermostat is used in the greenhouse to keep the temperature at the desired level. With electric floors, it enables a 30% reduction in electricity costs. This is made possible by the intermittent process of sexual heating. When the temperature falls below the necessary level, the regulator activates, and when it reaches the specified level, it deactivates.
A mixing unit regulates the temperature in water systems. Up till the targeted level of heating, it will mock the cooled coolant.
The Tichalman diagram is advised in order to prevent sudden drops in temperature and to increase the intensity of heating; the existence of a heat accumulator is assumed. In that case, forming a collector group is not necessary.
Benefits of Warm Floor | Learn about the advantages of installing a warm floor in your greenhouse. |
Types of Heating Systems | Explore different heating systems suitable for greenhouse floors. |
Materials Needed | Find out what materials you"ll need to lay the heating system. |
Step-by-Step Guide | Follow a detailed guide on how to lay the heating system yourself. |
Schemes and Diagrams | Access visual aids to help you understand the layout of the heating system. |
Video Tutorials | Watch videos demonstrating the process of installing a warm floor in a greenhouse. |
For plants to grow successfully in your greenhouse, especially in the winter, you must create a warm and comfortable environment. Installing a warm floor heating system is one efficient way to accomplish this. You will not only save money by installing this system yourself, but you will also learn a great deal about the heating requirements of your greenhouse.
It is essential that you properly plan and design your heating system before beginning the installation process. Think about things like your climate, the kind of plants you’re growing, and the size and design of your greenhouse. This will guarantee effective heat distribution throughout the room and assist in determining the best heating solution.
There are several approaches you can take when it comes to heating system layout, such as solar-powered, hydronic, or electric systems. Make sure you do your homework and choose the option that best suits your needs and budget as each has pros and cons. Speaking with authorities or seasoned greenhouse operators can also yield insightful advice.
Now that you’ve chosen the heating system, it’s time to dig in and get to work. To help you through the installation process, refer to the step-by-step instructions and make use of useful resources like schematics and instructional videos. Take your time to make sure that the heating components and connections are placed correctly, and that there is enough insulation to reduce heat loss.
Remember to test the system once the installation is finished to make sure everything is operating as it should. To maximize performance, keep an eye on the temperature and make any necessary adjustments. You can enjoy a plentiful harvest and a flourishing greenhouse garden all year round by creating the perfect environment for your plants to thrive with a well-installed warm floor heating system.