Global warming is a growing concern. For growers, a reduction in the use of fossil fuels can be a way to minimize their impact on the environment. It can be very difficult in winter months to maintain the greenhouse at ideal temperatures for plants, even during the day.
During winter months, the strategies to conserve energy may not be enough to keep the air temperature within an optimum range, therefore, the use of fossil fuel is necessary to heat the growing environment. The criteria to be considered for its selection should be:
- The profitability of the investment
- That the heat source be close to the plants, supporting the entire growing area, while maintaining temperatures high enough to promote active plant growth
- The safety of the fuel source
Three of the heating systems that can meet the above criteria are: central heating systems, infrared radiant heaters, and forced-air heater units.