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Do-it-yourself air heating of a greenhouse. Heating a Greenhouse with Your Own Hands: Detailed Instructions. Air heating installation

To maintain a certain temperature regime They use different heating systems. The choice of heat supply method depends on the size of the building, the climatic conditions of the region, the availability of a particular type of fuel, financial capabilities and other factors.

Some home craftsmen undertake to organize the heating of the greenhouse with their own hands - such a solution will significantly reduce labor costs, don’t you agree? Of course, independently arranging stable heating is not an easy task, but it is quite achievable. The first step is to choose a heat source.

We will tell you what greenhouse heating options exist, what are their specific features, advantages and disadvantages of use. Based on the information presented, you will be able to decide on the type of heating, perform a preliminary calculation of thermal power, and select working units and elements of the system.

Heating a greenhouse is necessary to compensate for heat loss that occurs through the walls and ceiling of the structure, as well as due to the entry of outside air. To reduce heating costs, it is first necessary to properly insulate the greenhouse and minimize air exchange with the street.

In addition to the material from which the greenhouse is made, special attention should be paid to the tight fit of the structure to the soil. To do this, it is better to make a shallow foundation insulated from the inside when constructing a greenhouse.

It must reliably hold the structure in strong winds, prevent the formation of cracks and minimize heat exchange with the street through the top layer of soil.

To solve the last problem, even in the conditions of the northern regions, a depth of 30 centimeters is sufficient, since the thermal conductivity of the soil is very low. The intensity of vertical heat exchange between the soil layer inside the greenhouse and the underlying soil layer is very small.

In winter, snow can be used as a natural external insulation along the edges of the greenhouse.

Snow is an excellent thermal insulation material. However, the greenhouse structure must be able to withstand additional weight, and the material must not bend under its weight.

For normal plant growth, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the air and soil-vegetative layer in a certain range. If the greenhouse operates continuously, the fertile soil will be heated due to heat exchange with the internal air. Moreover, its temperature will be almost the same as under natural conditions in summer.

The soil and ground layers freeze in winter to a depth depending on the geographic latitude of the region and the structure of the rock. To warm the soil and the adjacent top layer before planting, it is necessary to either maintain a positive air temperature for a very long time (up to a month).

An alternative solution is to carry out special actions to transfer heat directly into the soil. This can be done using a system of underground pipes into which coolant is supplied.

The amount of energy spent on heating the greenhouse depends on the following factors:

  • Surface area of ​​greenhouse walls and roof. The lower this indicator, the less heat loss. Therefore, to save energy, it is better to use a rectangular or semicircular shape of the structure.
  • Thermal conductivity coefficient of the material. The lower this parameter, the better material retains heat.
  • Temperature difference between indoor and outdoor air. The higher its value, the greater the heat loss.
  • Air exchange through leaks. To reduce energy costs, it is necessary to eliminate the uncontrolled flow of cold air.

The wide variety of private greenhouse designs and the quality of their installation seriously complicate temperature regime modeling. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the amount of energy required to heat a particular object only experimentally.


Such methods approximately calculate the required power of the heating device. The problem is the difficulty of determining the dispersion coefficient for a specific object (+)

Autonomous heating based on fuel combustion

Using the combustion process as a heat source is the most commonly used method for heating small greenhouses. Such heating has some specifics, since it is necessary to take into account the increased tightness of the room, the desirability of heating the soil and the need to maintain humidity.

Stoves and solid fuel boilers

One of the simplest devices used to heat greenhouses during cold periods is a stove. The popularity of using such a device is due to the low cost of fuel. It can be uncalibrated firewood, dry grass, coal and coal dust, garbage and flammable liquids.

When heating with stoves, it is necessary to ensure stable draft, since ventilating the greenhouse if combustion products get inside will lead to its cooling.

When using a metal stove, heating occurs quickly and energy is transferred to the surrounding air. It is also the cheapest and easiest to use heating method. You can build such a unit yourself.

On our website there is a selection of articles on the manufacture of different types of metal stoves that can be used to heat a greenhouse:

A stone stove heats up more slowly and retains heat longer. This is more suitable for heating small spaces with a medium or narrow temperature range. However, such a stove must be folded and, if necessary, cannot be moved, like its metal counterpart.

There is an idea of ​​heating space in a greenhouse using hot combustion products. To do this, it is proposed to place the stove in a pit, and lay the chimney horizontally below ground level with its subsequent exit to the surface.

With this placement of the chimney, there will be a significant increase in its length, as a result of which hot gases will give off more heat inside the room

This option will really increase the heating efficiency.

However, during practical implementation the following difficulties will arise:

  1. Requirements for chimney assembly material. The air temperature leaving the furnace is very high. Therefore, the chimney should not have good heat transfer, otherwise the soil around it will burn out. Asbestos pipes can be used as a material for removing combustion products.
  2. Compliance with the rules for placement of chimneys. It will be necessary to provide inspection windows in the chimney to clean it from soot. Therefore, you need to lay the pipe between the beds.
  3. The need for power supply. A long horizontal section does not contribute to the creation of normal draft, so it will be necessary to install a smoke exhauster. This means the need to supply electricity to the greenhouse or periodically recharge the battery.

Therefore, the idea of ​​underground chimney placement has not found wide application in practice.

Instead of a standard stove, you can use solid fuel ones. They burn fuel more efficiently and do not allow rapid heat release, which eliminates the possibility of damage to plants from high temperatures. Such factory-made boilers are easy to use and maintain, and are also compact.

Gas boilers and convectors

For greenhouses, a good alternative to stove heating is the use of a gas or convector. For small private buildings, equipment operating on the basis of gas cylinders is usually used.

Before installing a gas boiler in a greenhouse, it is necessary to thoroughly strengthen one of the walls to which it will be attached

It is better to place the gas cylinder outside the greenhouse. But in this case, it is necessary to solve the issue of preventing freezing of the gearbox during a long period with negative temperatures.

Connecting a greenhouse to the gas network is a rather complicated bureaucratic procedure. In addition, during the annual mandatory inspection by a gas service specialist, comments will be made.

In any case, the presence of a combination of gas supply and the use of open fire in a confined space requires increased safety measures. The best solution is to have a gas analyzer, as well as an automatic flame extinguishing system that is triggered when the maximum permissible concentration of a flammable substance in the air is exceeded.

From the standpoint of comparing the financial costs of installing and using stoves and gas equipment, it is impossible to draw an unambiguous conclusion. A simple gas convector costs about 12-14 thousand rubles.

This is more expensive than metal devices running on solid fuel:

  • costs for metal and consumables self-production potbelly stoves cost about 3 thousand rubles;
  • A small-sized factory solid fuel installation, for example, the NVU-50 Tulinka model, costs about 6.6 thousand rubles.
  • a long-burning installation model NV-100 “Klondike” costs about 9 thousand rubles.

A stone stove will be more expensive than a gas convector due to the cost of building the foundation and laying it.

It is advisable to install a stone stove if you are sure that the greenhouse will be located at this location for more than one year

The cost of liquefied or natural gas spent on heating any room will be cheaper than purchased firewood and coal. However, greenhouses are heated, as a rule, with free or cheap combustible waste, which is always sufficient in rural and dacha areas.

The problem of air leaks and humidity

The use of heating devices in which open combustion of fuel occurs leads to the need to remove combustion products through the chimney. In this case, compensation for the volume of exhaust air is necessary.

In buildings, it is possible through uncontrolled inflow (infiltration) which occurs due to the presence of cracks and holes in the walls and ceiling.

The design of modern greenhouses, such as polycarbonate, creates an airtight space. In this case, the problem of air intake is solved by the presence of vents and the installation of a special supply opening.

It should be placed in such a way as to avoid a concentrated flow of cold air onto the plants. It is also possible to use several small holes to organize a distributed inflow.

Exhaust systems for closed-type gas convectors are already equipped with a pipe for the flow of outside air into the combustion chamber.

Often after operation of furnaces and boilers, the effect of air drying is observed. This is due to the lower absolute humidity of the incoming cold flow (especially frosty) in relation to the warm air leaving the greenhouse through the chimney.

To maintain accurate air humidity parameters, a humidifier with a hygrometer is used, which can be powered by a local energy source. If there is no such need, you can place an open container of water in the greenhouse. Then, in the event of strong drying of the air, the process of evaporation will naturally occur.

Ways to distribute heat evenly

For small greenhouses, placing one heating source is sufficient. Air circulation in the room will be ensured due to the vertical temperature difference and, thus, warm air will be distributed.

In any greenhouse, when it is heated, a slight vertical temperature difference occurs. This must be remembered when placing thermometers

In rooms of large area or complex geometry, it is possible to form zones with different microclimate parameters. This is sometimes done on purpose in industrial greenhouses, but in most cases this phenomenon is undesirable.

To distribute heat evenly, two methods are used:

  • Creation of artificial air circulation. Blade fans are usually used. Sometimes an air duct system with integrated pumps is constructed so that air is taken in at one end of the room and exhausted at the other.
  • Heat transfer due to intermediate coolant. As a rule, they use ordinary water system with forced circulation. Pipes can be laid both around the perimeter of the greenhouse and under the soil layer.

Forced heat distribution is also necessary to prevent the formation of a zone with high temperature near the heater. Otherwise, plants located near the stove or boiler may suffer thermal damage.

Popular heating methods without open fire

The use of open fire has some limitations, since combustion waste is released, and fire safety measures must be observed. Therefore, other methods are often used to release heat into the greenhouse room.

Application of electrical appliances

Using electricity to heat a greenhouse in winter is the most expensive method. However, it is also the simplest, since the installation of such heating only includes electrical wiring and installation of devices.

The use of simple automation systems frees people from the need to participate in constant microclimate monitoring.


The connection diagram for several heaters via a thermostat is quite simple. The only problem may be a power outage, so you need to consider connecting additional power sources (+)

Electric heating of a greenhouse can be done using the following devices:

  • Heater. The simplest and cheapest device that you can make yourself.
  • Convector. The presence of a fan allows, in addition to heating the air, to distribute it evenly throughout the greenhouse.
  • Heat pump. A powerful device for heating air in large-volume greenhouses, which is often used in conjunction with an air duct system to distribute heat. To heat a compact room you can do it yourself.
  • Infrared lamps. The specificity of the operation of such devices is to heat the surface on which the radiation hits. Thus, it is possible to level out the vertical temperature gradient in the room without using air circulation.
  • Heating cable. It is used to heat local areas in a greenhouse.

In the case of small premises, the use of electric heating is justified due to its simplicity and safety. In large and industrial greenhouses it is advisable to use other methods.

The heating cable is well suited for heating the ground. Its maximum temperature is not high, so there is no fear of the effect of burning the soil with loss of its qualities

Biochemical heat release

One of the interesting methods of heating is to add unrotted organic fertilizer to the soil - animal manure or bird droppings. As a result of the biochemical reaction, a large amount of energy is released, which increases the temperature of the fertile layer and the air inside the room.

When manure rots, carbon dioxide, methane, as well as small amounts of hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide are released. Manure also has a specific odor. All this imposes certain restrictions on its use related to the need to ventilate the room.

In winter, as well as during prolonged cold spells in spring and autumn, intensive air exchange is undesirable. In this case, restoring the thermal balance after ventilation may require a significantly larger amount of energy than was released as a result of the process of rotting manure.

The use of such a “biological” method of heating the earth and air is justified late spring when ventilation occurs at positive daytime temperatures.

Systems with external heat source

Heating of the greenhouse is possible due to the close location of the house or other heated building. This simplifies the entire procedure, since there is no need to install an autonomous heat source. Using wired or wi-fi relays, you can remotely receive information about the temperature in the greenhouse and regulate its microclimate from home.

An ordinary wi-fi temperature complex consisting of a sensor and a relay costs about 2 thousand rubles. When the temperature goes out of range, it transmits its values ​​to devices running Windows or Android

Creating a separate heating circuit

If the house uses water or steam heating, then it is possible to create a separate circuit leading to the greenhouse. It must be equipped with a separate pump, since the total horizontal length of the new segment will be large.

You also need to install an open expansion tank in the greenhouse to remove air from the system. The area of ​​open water in the tank must be minimized to prevent intense evaporation of hot water into the room.

Radiators are rarely installed in a greenhouse, since the design of its premises plays a secondary role. If there is a lack of heat, it is better to lengthen the pipe contour, as this is cheaper and reduces the risk of leaks and breakdowns.

The outdoor segment of the circuit must be insulated to avoid heat loss and minimize the risk of freezing. The underground option for placing pipes is best suited for these purposes.

Connecting the heating segment of the greenhouse to the general circuit can be done using a three- or four-way valve.


Standard connection diagram for an additional heating circuit. The location of the taps in the house allows you to remotely regulate the air temperature in the greenhouse (+)

It is also possible to create an automatic temperature control system.

This can be done in the following ways:

  • Changing the volume of hot water passed through depending on the readings of temperature sensors. In this case, it is necessary to purchase a pump with power control.
  • Turning the greenhouse heating circuit on and off. For this purpose, automatic crane control systems are used.

Instead of manually changing the position of a three- or four-way valve, servo-based devices can be used. Its electronic control unit is adjusted to the readings located in the greenhouse.

The servo drive for automatic adjustment is large relative to the crane. Therefore, to install it, it is necessary to remove the heating pipe from the wall

Heating using extract air

Good heating can be obtained by using warm air from the exhaust ventilation of a residential building. By directing an insulated ventilation duct into the greenhouse, you can obtain a constant incoming flow with a temperature of 20-25°C.

The only condition is the absence of excess humidity and impurities in the air, which are typical for kitchens and bathrooms.

Air outflow from the greenhouse can be organized in two ways:

  • Local exhaust vent to the street in the form of a tube without a fan. It must be of small cross-section to create high speed flow. In this case, at negative street temperatures, the condensation formation zone will be located at some distance from the tube, which will prevent the formation of ice.
  • Return the flow back using an additional air duct and obligatory connection to the general house hood. Otherwise, odors from the greenhouse will spread throughout all areas of the house.

This method is the most economical in terms of one-time costs for installing the system and recurring costs for fuel use. The only question remains whether the hood volume is sufficient to maintain the required temperature. It is better to check this experimentally.

If sometimes, during extreme cold snaps, the air temperature in the greenhouse drops below the permissible level, then you can build a small air heater into the air duct, or install an additional electrical device at the facility itself.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Homemade stove with a long chimney for heating a greenhouse:

Most projects can be implemented in-house, which will reduce their cost and provide the opportunity for further independent modernization.

A greenhouse allows you to get a harvest when other gardeners are still watering or planting their plants. The greenhouse allows you to grow early products by heating the greenhouse yourself, since the sun's heat allows the crop to grow only in the summer. Thanks to this design, fresh products can be grown even in winter. The minimum permissible temperature in the greenhouse should be +18 degrees. However, in order to achieve such conditions, impenetrable walls alone will not be enough.

The most economical option would be to install a greenhouse in the place where the thermal route runs. In such a situation, you only need to find the most favorable location and you can begin building the greenhouse. In other situations, the construction of a greenhouse will be a more complex process, but it can also be done with your own hands - just like heating a greenhouse with your own hands.

Heating with solar panels

You can also heat a greenhouse structure and make homemade heating in a greenhouse using the sun's rays. The first stage of constructing a greenhouse will be digging a hole about 15 cm deep. Next, the ground must be covered with a layer of polystyrene or other heat insulator. The whole thing is covered with a layer of plastic film on top to provide waterproofing. Wet sand is placed on the film and covered with earth. This type of device, although quite simple, can nevertheless maintain the optimal temperature in the greenhouse.

You can do simple air heating of greenhouses in a greenhouse with your own hands. The simplest method for heating a greenhouse is air heating - a good solution to the question of how to make heating in a greenhouse, which is described below:

  1. You need to take a piece of steel pipe with a length of 2 to 2.5 m and a diameter of 50 to 60 cm.
  2. You need to light a fire under one end of the pipe, and insert the other end into a greenhouse covered with film.
  3. The fire must be maintained at all times. The air in the tube will heat up quite quickly, and the plants will receive the warmth they need.

This heating method, at the same time, is one of the easiest, but also the most inconvenient, since the fire must be maintained all the time.

Heating a greenhouse using gas

The main advantage of gas is that in terms of supply it is much more stable and accessible than the fire of a fire. In order to heat a greenhouse in winter, there is no need to pipe gas from the house to the greenhouse, since this is not entirely practical. Also, such a greenhouse heating scheme will require some costs. It is best to purchase several gas cylinders, which should be quite enough. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that too much carbon dioxide can cause plants to not grow as they should.

Poor greenhouse ventilation can also affect negative plant growth. It will also be necessary to install a means for exhausting combustion waste in the greenhouse.

Heating devices that will be used for your greenhouse must be equipped with special sensors.

They are necessary so that if combustion stops and gas is released into the air, such devices will immediately operate and shut off the gas supply to the burner.

Heating a greenhouse using a solid fuel boiler

This kind of heated greenhouse projects can be located both inside the greenhouse itself and outside it in any other room. The second option has some advantages, since in order to add fuel or firewood to the fire, there will be no need to go to the greenhouse. The disadvantage of this option is that if the boiler were located directly in the greenhouse, it would also generate some heat.

The heat generator needs to add fuel only twice a day. Moreover, from the point of view fire safety, such a winter greenhouse with your own hands does not pose a threat. Thanks to this parameter, you can safely leave it unattended all night. Another advantage of the boiler is that it requires minimum consumption fuel material.

Stove heating of a greenhouse

Do-it-yourself stove heating of a greenhouse, compared to electric heating, does not burden financial costs as much. A simple stove for a greenhouse can be easily built with your own hands, without actually spending any money.

The principle of constructing a stove for a greenhouse:

  1. In the greenhouse vestibule, a furnace firebox made of brick is laid out.
  2. A chimney is laid along the entire length of the greenhouse.
  3. The chimney is removed from the greenhouse on the other side so that the carbon monoxide evaporates and the heat remains inside. The distance between the firebox of the greenhouse and its end side should be no less than 25 cm. The distance from the bed with plants to the top of the hog should be no less than 15 cm.

Before you build a heated greenhouse with your own hands, you can explore another method:

  1. We find a large barrel, with a volume of at least 3 cubic meters. We paint the inside of the barrel in 2 layers to prevent the rusting process.
  2. Holes are made in the inside of the barrel, one of which is intended for the chimney, and the others for the expansion tank and for the tap.
  3. We cook the stove and insert it into the barrel.
  4. The chimney is removed from the barrel, and a pipe about 5 meters long is installed from the outside.
  5. An expansion tank with a volume of 20 liters is mounted on the barrel, which must first be welded from ordinary sheet iron.
  6. From profile pipe, which has dimensions of 40x20x1.5 cm, the heating itself is cooked. The pipes must be laid out on the ground so that they are located at a distance of 1.2 meters. This arrangement of pipes will allow the soil to warm up in those places where plant roots are located.
  7. In order to ensure water circulation, for such homemade systems it is necessary to purchase a special pump.

Water heating of a greenhouse

If we take the calculation of heating a greenhouse, then in comparison with other types, the most profitable will be the arrangement of water heating for a greenhouse. Do-it-yourself water heating of a greenhouse - an electric water heater can be made simply:

  1. You need to take the body of the old fire extinguisher and cut off the top.
  2. A heating element with an operating power of 1 kW is installed at the bottom of the fire extinguisher. This heating element can also be taken from an old samovar.
  3. We make a removable lid on top of the device so that water can be poured into the heater.
  4. We attach two tubes connected to the radiator to the device body. We secure the tubes using nuts and sealing gaskets. In order for such a heater to work in automatic mode, you can use a circuit with an alternating current and voltage relay of 220V.

A register made of pipes with water and an electric heating element inside

When arranging a heating system for a greenhouse or greenhouse, the most important thing is to comply with all necessary instructions, as well as safety regulations. You can watch a video on how to arrange heating for a greenhouse with your own hands below.

A heated greenhouse allows you to have fresh herbs all year round. In addition, you can grow not only vegetables and flowers traditional for your latitude, but also heat-loving exotic plants, including pineapples and melons in Siberia or the Urals. It is quite possible to install greenhouse heating with your own hands. There are several ways to effectively heat a greenhouse. In this article we will focus on each of them so that you can choose the best option for yourself.

How does the material affect heat loss?

The choice of heating system should first of all be based on the area of ​​the greenhouse and the material from which it is built. Each type has its own heat loss coefficient. Most often used for the construction of greenhouses:

  • glass - heat loss coefficient is 5.5 W/kW.m;
  • polyethylene film - K=12 W/kW.m;
  • polycarbonate - 2.8 W/kW.m.

As you can see, cellular polycarbonate, due to its cellular structure, has the lowest heat loss rates, and polyethylene film, on the contrary, has the highest. It is very important that the heating does not dry out the air in the greenhouse, and that the heat is distributed evenly over the entire area.

Optimal options

Among the huge variety of options for heating greenhouses at home, we will consider only those that you can build yourself, without the help of professionals. So, the most common methods of homemade heating of greenhouses:

Electric heating systems

They mainly use ultraviolet lamps, which allow heating the soil and, accordingly, the plants. The air does not heat up. It receives heat from the earth and therefore does not dry out. In such a climate, plants feel very comfortable.

The number of ultraviolet lamps for rooms is calculated according to a simplified scheme: for every 10 sq.m., 1 kW of heater power is required.

Since using electricity for heating is the most expensive way to heat up, this option cannot be considered economical. But if you plan to grow berries or flowers in home greenhouses all year round, then this option should be considered as optimal.

To optimize costs, it is necessary to install temperature regulators and sensors and thereby automate the heating. You may also need additional lighting and automated system glaze.

VIDEO: Do-it-yourself electric heating of a greenhouse

Gas heating of greenhouses

In terms of arrangement this is the most expensive project, but in terms of operation it is the cheapest. You can use both gas boilers and gas cylinders. To use gas equipment, you need a special permit, and for its installation, the involvement of specialists is required.

In order to build gas heating for a greenhouse with your own hands, it is attached to the house and communications are pulled from there. In general, the process is not complicated, since you only need to build up the pipes and loop them in connection with the house. It is advisable to separately build a gas system for a greenhouse only if its premises exceed 100 sq.m and it is used for commercial purposes.

Solid fuel or exhaust stoves

Anyone can make stove heating in a greenhouse with their own hands. In fact, this is the most ordinary stove - a stationary stone or mobile metal one, through which the entire room is heated.

A huge variety of detailed drawings are available step by step description, how to build a greenhouse with your own hands with heating or how to equip a stove heating for an already finished greenhouse. You can install the stove yourself inside or in a separate vestibule, or purchase a wood-burning stove.

In addition, the market offers a huge selection of modern long-burning solid fuel boilers. They remove the biggest inconvenience of using a stove - frequent loading of firewood, coal, etc. Thus, anyone can make heating in a greenhouse on their own. The cost of solid fuel is several times cheaper than electricity.

Steam heating

Do-it-yourself steam heating of a greenhouse can be done in two ways: connect it to the heating system at home or make an independent system. This method can be considered an improved version of stove heating. It has a higher level of efficiency and safety, but at the same time, higher maintenance costs.

Listed above are the most effective ways heating home greenhouses. Everyone chooses the option that suits them best. We suggest choosing the last method, which also has a lot of variations.

Steam heating

If you don’t know how to heat a greenhouse with steam, then you need to listen to the advice of experts. They advise connecting the greenhouse to the heating system of the house only when it is located at a maximum distance of 10 meters from the house. Otherwise, such a connection is not economically profitable and it is better to choose the option of installing a boiler or stove. By the way, the most ordinary potbelly stove will cope with the heating task 100%. It is easy to maintain, easy to clean and refill.

Steam heating schemes:

If an area near the house was selected for a greenhouse to connect to a common heating system, then two requirements must be met:

  • the boiler power should be enough to heat both the house and the greenhouse;
  • the pipeline running along the street should be reliably insulated.

Regardless of where the boiler will be installed, as well as what type it will be, homemade heating in a greenhouse is built according to the same scheme. In addition to the boiler, you will need to purchase the following equipment:

  • radiators;
  • pipes;
  • circulation pump;
  • security group;
  • expansion tank;
  • balancing valve;
  • coarse filter.

To ensure heat, it is very important to correctly determine the number of radiators. If the height of the greenhouse does not exceed 3 m, then you can use a simplified calculation algorithm: multiply the area of ​​the greenhouse by 120, then divide by thermal power one radiator section according to the technical data sheet.

Algorithm for connecting steam heating

Let's consider a step-by-step algorithm for mounting equipment:

  1. We install the boiler on a pre-prepared concrete foundation. If you have chosen a solid fuel boiler, then it is better to build a special vestibule for it - this way you will not open the greenhouse every time you load fuel.

  1. We connect the boiler to the chimney. A more preferable option is a vertical sandwich chimney made of stainless steel, which is led outside through the roof or wall. Firstly, it is very easy to install. Secondly, it has a reliable design.
  2. Radiators are connected with pipes. Optimal pipe diameter: 20-25 mm. Radiators must be chosen as low as possible. If, after replacing the heating system, you still have old radiators and pipes in your apartment or house, then use them. So, you will significantly reduce the cost of setting up a greenhouse. An air valve - a Mayevsky tap - should be installed on each radiator, as well as a valve that allows you to shut off the flow of water.
  3. We connect the safety group immediately after leaving the boiler (the place of maximum temperature and pressure). It is a steel manifold on which a pressure gauge, an air vent and a safety valve are located. The collector is equipped with a coupling that is connected to the pipe.
  4. We mount the expansion tank from below through the valve. It is installed in the area from the boiler outlet to the circulation pump.
  5. We install a circulation pump to maintain stable pressure in the system. It is mounted on the return pipe in front of the boiler entrance. A coarse filter must be installed in front of it.

So, the system is assembled, you need to press it with air to identify possible installation defects. To do this, connect a special compressor. First, use a sponge to soap all joints. Then close the valves and taps. The compressor supplies the pressure specified in the technical data sheet of the boiler and radiators. Carefully inspect the joints - there should be no soap bubbles on them. If everything is fine, then you can fill the system with water to test turn on the boiler.

Heating alternative

Not everyone uses greenhouses for year-round cultivation greens, vegetables and fruits. For personal needs, planting begins mainly in mid-February and ends in October. In this case, it is irrational to install a separate heating system, as well as to use powerful electrical systems. As an alternative, you can offer warm beds or infrared floor heating.

Warm beds

It is a combination of certain materials that produce heat when they interact. To create warm beds, dig a ditch 70-80 cm deep, where the following components are laid:

  • large branches for aeration;
  • straw, hay, dry grass

It is better not to use cut tops from garden beds, as they may contain pathogenic flora - insect larvae, viruses, etc.

  • manure;
  • peat;
  • turf land.

All this is laid in layers and after 2 weeks you can start planting. Manure and straw begin to rot, releasing quite a large amount of heat. This is enough to warm up the root system, thereby creating comfortable conditions for the plant.

Infrared floors

This is a type of electric heating system, but compared to UV lamps, it is not as wasteful. Due to the large heat-transfer surface, heating occurs faster. Structurally, it is a thin film that is rolled out on a surface, fixed and launched. You can use IR floors directly to heat beds, or place them on walls or in row spaces.

VIDEO: How to make greenhouse heating with your own hands

The word greenhouse itself hints directly and unambiguously: it should be warm there. But gloomy autumn or spring weather, short daylight hours, rain and melting snow, piercing winds, damp and cold soil - all this prevents it from living up to its name. This is why it is so important to take care of additional heat generation.

Peculiarities

Heating a greenhouse is fundamentally different from generating thermal energy for a private house, bathhouse or garage. There are many more options, and therefore it is extremely important to understand all their features. Most systems for heating greenhouses in winter can be done with your own hands. But it’s important to remember that you won’t be able to control the heating as carefully as you would at home - you can’t “live” in a greenhouse. That is why it is so important to create not just a powerful system, but one that eliminates temperature fluctuations.

When choosing optimal option pay attention to:

  • energy efficiency;
  • fire safety;
  • formation of an optimal microclimate for plants;
  • ease of installation and operation;
  • system reliability.

Pros and cons of methods

There are many options for heating greenhouses. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Electrical

The rising cost of all types of fuel is a trend that will continue for years and even decades to come. Therefore, among the electrical methods of heating greenhouses, it is the film options that have a clear priority. The thinnest (layer from 0.04 cm) film is a selection of current-passing strips, which are laid according to a special pattern.

Its advantages are:

  • possibility of fixing on any solid base;
  • ease of connection to the electrical network;
  • safety of use;
  • excellent efficiency.

In terms of weaknesses, the minimum film thickness is the primary drawback. A small footprint results in a high risk of damage. Errors when using infrared coatings may result in the need to call the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

A more mechanically resistant option is a heating cable. It is capable of operating for 20 years in a row, the system is activated both over a large area and in isolated areas.

Cable circuits in the “warm floor” format are best choice compared to water systems. To switch equipment from general heating to local heating, you only need to perform 1 action with the simplest control device. The classic resistive cable is simple and inexpensive; the type of insulating sheath and external mechanical protection determines the period of operation.

A cable with one core will have to be placed so that both ends are near the power source. There is only one alternative - an additional cable for connecting the far end.

Resistive cables can adjust the amount of heat generated to the warming of the ground. But even in two adjacent beds, the actual temperature of the ground can vary quite significantly. Therefore, you have to either configure everything “one size fits all” or create complex, expensive systems. Self-regulating cables are considered more modern, further saving current. Individual segments tailor heat output to a specific task; if a certain fragment is already warmed up, the cable will not work there.

However, there is another option - using heating panels.

The panel method of heating greenhouses allows the installation of basic systems both near the ceiling and in the walls. The electric version of the panels works well if the greenhouse area is limited to 25 m2. In larger spaces they are not economical enough. You'll need to stretch out a serious cable route and waste a lot of energy. In addition, in many dacha communities and suburban settlements, the amount of current consumed per household is limited.

Speaking about heating with electricity, we cannot ignore such an option as a carbon cord. Compared to other cables, it has thermal inertia (it is equal to 0), eliminates temperature fluctuations and helps to smoothly adjust conditions to emerging needs. The carbon cable is compatible with all known types of thermostats. Even when adjustments to the contour length are required, this is done very easily and simply.

A heat gun also has its advantages.

All electrical systems make it possible to do without such an element as a chimney pipe, but the “gun” is simpler in design than others. The need for additional devices is completely eliminated. Commissioning takes place immediately after purchase

Sunny

Heating from the sun is considered the most natural solution, and modern methods allow it to be used both in a winter greenhouse and during the dark period of the day. It is imperative to create a greenhouse made of polycarbonate or glass. But you will have to form the structure in the form of an arch and maintain an orientation from east to west. To compensate for the short daylight hours, the greenhouse is equipped with a solar collector. It is formed in the form of insulated trenches, over which coarse sand is poured, and an additional layer of soil is created.

If you compare such a scheme with air heating, it becomes clear that even adding improvised batteries does not increase efficiency enough. The supply of heated air provides both stronger and faster heating. The only problem is that a lot of fuel will be consumed during the harsh winter.

Biofuel

Since ancient times, farmers have used manure and a number of other organic substances to heat the soil. When organic matter decomposes, a significant amount of heat is released. In many cases, preference is given to horse manure, which reaches 70 degrees within a week and maintains this level for months to come. If there is no such significant need, a combination with straw is used. You can also mix manure with tree bark, sawdust and kitchen waste.

The disadvantages of biological fuel are:

  • subjective discomfort;
  • risk of poor hygiene;
  • unsuitable for heating for more than 4 months in a row.

Gas

In many country houses and country houses They are trying to install gas stoves. And this suggests another way to correct the shortcomings of the greenhouse. The relative efficiency and simplicity of the system, the ability to create it from factory components - these are the main positive sides. However, along with an accurate calculation, you will have to prepare drawings and a package permitting documentation. Without the consent of the registering parties government agencies it is impossible to implement the project, and each rework entails new costs.

Natural gas is flammable, explosive and toxic. When using it, the greenhouse becomes an excessively humid place, and the concentration of carbon dioxide increases excessively. The oxygen saturation of the air is additionally reduced. Installing ventilation further complicates the matter and requires additional calculations, and in winter the supply of fresh air depreciates the energy generated.

To reduce a little the cost of using gas, a monorail type of water heating is practiced (with the connection of a coiled pipeline to the pump).

Advantages of water

It is good to heat a greenhouse with water heating because this option allows you to transfer heat to both the ground and the air.

Device

Unlike solar heat generation, large rooms can be heated year-round. What is important is that the appearance of dry air is completely eliminated. But ventilation becomes critically important, since air stillness can lead to overheating of plants.

If you use the classic air scheme, it is technically simpler, but it consumes more energy and achieves an identical result at a noticeably higher cost.

Boiler selection

Worth paying attention the right choice boiler so that it satisfactorily performs its assigned tasks. In greenhouses, it is practiced to install the same heating means as in houses and other buildings.

Greenhouse boilers can operate on:

  • wood processing industry waste;
  • quality firewood;
  • hard and brown coal;
  • peat;
  • household flammable rubbish;
  • natural and liquefied gas;
  • diesel fuel.

Largely selection suitable system determined by personal taste and the range of available energy sources. If the area has main gas pipelines, it is best to connect to them. Even bureaucratic bastions do not detract from the efficiency of “blue fuel”.

Boilers running on electricity or solid fuel can also be used. It is necessary to carefully select the overall power of the configuration so as not to freeze the plantings and pay only for the heat that is really needed.

System installation

In addition to the boiler itself, you will also have to install pipelines and radiators associated with them. The role of expansion tanks, chimneys and pumps that maintain circulation is great. Experts recommend forming a pair of heating circuits, not just one. One line is installed underground, which is made of plastic pipes that serve to migrate water with a temperature of approximately +30 degrees. Such pipes must be laid as close to the roots as possible.

The second tier is located under the dome and is made using radiators. Most often, forced pump circulation is used in greenhouses; gravitational flow of water is used much less frequently.

It is useful to supplement the heating circuit with thermal regulators, which allow you to control the operation of the system automatically. There will be no need to worry that if you are absent for a long time, the greenhouse will overheat or overcool. Radiators in greenhouses are made of cast iron, aluminum or bimetallic.

Please note: there are systems that do not have radiators at all. Then the space under the dome is heated using a round steel pipe of significant cross-section. Expansion tanks are made either open or closed, but without them, unlike radiators, the system cannot be installed. You can save money when you don’t buy expanders, but make them from metal sheets at home. As for the chimney, along with traditional brickwork, it is practiced to create asbestos-cement channels and use steel pipes of round or square cross-section.

If possible, it is recommended to take pipes in a sandwich format. This is the most modern and practical solution. As for circulation pumps, here, too, not everything is as simple as most summer residents believe. In budget-class greenhouses, if a pressure difference is ensured, gravity pumping mode can also be used. Again, the choice of components is determined primarily by material considerations.

Stoves or heating boilers are mainly installed in the vestibules of greenhouses; much less often they are given a place inside. The advantage of the external location is that the fuel, stacked nearby, does not interfere with movement around the greenhouse and does not create problems during operation. But the internal placement also has its advantage - it helps to obtain additional heat. You need to weigh the pros and cons when assessing the available space. Any boiler and any furnace definitely deserve the installation of a foundation.

If the stove is made of brick, a concrete base is poured under it. But it is enough to place metal heat generators on a sheet of steel or asbestos cement. In any case, it is worth taking care of the most reliable installation of the system.

When installing a chimney, care is taken to ensure that any joint or turn is thoroughly sealed. Even the best cement cracks when heated significantly, so it is worth using clay mortar instead.

Connection to the boiler inlet and outlet pipes must be made using steel pipes that are strictly identical in diameter. Only after 1-1.5 m they can be replaced with plastic elements. Expansion tanks are installed in the highest places of buildings near furnaces and boilers. They must be preceded in the hydraulic circuit by an automatic blocking valve, as well as a pressure gauge. When equipping radiators with cut-off valves, the inlet and outlet pipes must be separated by jumpers, then one stopped battery will not paralyze the entire system.

It is recommended to provide soil heating with pipes based on cross-linked polyethylene. It is very good when a circuit that performs a similar task is supplemented with control automation. It must set operating modes that correspond to the specifics of certain plants. The very device of soil heating in greenhouses is quite close to the well-known “warm floor”. Those who have already installed such a floor are unlikely to encounter any particular difficulties.

An insulating layer of waterproof material, most often polystyrene foam, helps to avoid heat loss in the ground. Polyethylene film helps to enhance waterproofing properties. The pipes are laid out on a sand cushion, which was previously washed and compacted after backfilling. The thickness of the pillow should be 100-150 mm, this will ensure uniform heating and zero risk of drying out the soil; 300-350 mm of fertile soil must be placed above the heating layer.

Pechnoe

One of the popular solutions in summer cottages is stove heating of greenhouses, but it also has its pros and cons.

Advantages and disadvantages

Suppliers of all boilers and other heating elements for greenhouse farming place the main emphasis on high efficiency. But modern stoves demonstrate equally impressive efficiency. Therefore, it is naive to consider them frivolous competitors of boiler equipment.

  • low cost of heating using solid fuel, wood or waste oil;
  • simplicity of the system itself (ease of installation and maintenance);
  • wide availability of necessary fuel.

Most often, iron stoves are installed in greenhouses, which quickly warm up, but quickly lose their heat charge. A disadvantage of such devices can also be considered their “tendency” to dry out the air. Even for plants that are accustomed to a dry and hot atmosphere, this is unlikely to be beneficial.

The use of water circuits in the form of radiators or registers helps to reduce the severity of temperature fluctuations.

Selection and installation of the furnace

The classic solid fuel stove is in demand mainly in greenhouses used in spring and summer.

Such structures are much more mobile than brick ones and remove the obligation to form a foundation. Another important circumstance is the minimal absorption of usable space. It is worth taking into account such advantages of metal stoves as low cost and the ability to install them yourself without mastering the art of bricklaying. As for weaknesses, it is necessary to mention the unsuitability of such stoves for automation. Chimneys diverted from metal stoves should be placed at an angle of at least 15 degrees to enhance heating.

The metal pipe itself must be stripped of any insulation. But at intersections with the top or wall, it is necessary to install a heat-impermeable box. Any steel stove must be installed in such a way that it is completely prevented from falling. Many times such events have caused fires and loss of property.

In areas with harsh weather conditions, you can use coal-fired stoves, which produce more heat and retain it longer.

But the problem is the increased amount of waste and increased toxicity of combustion products when used. coal fuel. Some of its types are capable of igniting on their own and deserve specific conditions during accumulation. In recent years, the popularity of stoves using sawdust or fuel briquettes has grown, which are standard in design and emit a minimal amount of smoke.

But diesel stoves are not suitable at all. They emit toxic smoke, and the slightest mistake can cause an emergency.

What should you consider when choosing?

Speaking about the most best projects for heating the greenhouse, it is worth noting that this does not include the use of convectors. By themselves, they only heat the air, and the soil layer remains cold, as before the system was turned on. Therefore, you have to take care of biological heating, which is extremely important during frosts in early spring. But there is a better strategy - this is the use of a heating system in the form of mats or cable laying (heating tapes). For winter, such a solution is simply ideal, especially because it allows you to warm only those places that are really needed.

The risk is that the slightest mistake in calculating the required temperature can burn the roots of the plants. Geothermal heating of greenhouses in a small private farm is completely unprofitable, since it requires very large investments in equipment and begins to pay off too late. The use of solar batteries or heating lamps is of an auxiliary nature. The former cope primarily with the effects of cold summer, while the others are needed to create optimal conditions for seedlings. Therefore, a serious choice arises only between electric heating (including infrared) and boilers (stoves) on various types fuel.

Popular types

If you need to heat a greenhouse economically and simply without electricity or gas, the choice naturally leans in favor of the biological method. For gardeners who are accustomed to working in the ground and coming into contact with dirty substances, such heating will not cause much mental anguish. In addition, it is completely environmentally friendly and allows you to heat the beds. In northern latitudes and in places with unstable, unstable climate conditions, heating a greenhouse space can only be done relatively cheaply, because one or another fuel will still have to be consumed. If the area is gasified and the greenhouse area is small, you can power the burners or air heaters from cylinders.

If the heated beds are very large, this method cannot be considered economical. You will have to connect to a centralized heating system for the site or look for other methods. Expensive electric current, as already mentioned, has a slightly less impact on the costs of gardeners when choosing a rail scheme. Instead of infrared film or “warm floor”, you can also use water pipes connected to an electric boiler. But here the system becomes more complex, and it is rarely possible to install it without the help of professionals.

For information on water heating in a greenhouse with your own hands, see the following video.

The heating of the greenhouse allows it to be used for growing various crops throughout the year. This makes it possible to obtain up to three harvests per year and grow a variety of heat-loving exotic plants, creating optimal conditions for their development.

Greenhouses can be heated in different ways. Each option has a number important features and benefits. Find out about the most popular heating methods, learn tips on choosing the best option, and get to work.


Comparative characteristics fuel cost

What to consider when choosing a heating system?

When choosing a heating system, you need to pay attention to the overall dimensions of the room and its type, because For different materials the required heating intensity will also vary. For example, polyethylene is characterized by high heat loss, so this material will require more intense heating compared to a polycarbonate greenhouse.


When arranging heating for a greenhouse, take into account the total costs of installing the system and its maintenance. Some heating options require significant financial investments, and their use in small greenhouses will not be practical. Others are simple and inexpensive to install, but consume a lot of fuel during operation.


Otherwise, the owner must decide for himself how beneficial the use of one or another heating option will be specifically for his situation. The main thing is that the system provides, does not dry out the air and creates optimal conditions for the development of grown crops.

Greenhouse heating options

Familiarize yourself with the main features of the systems most commonly used to heat greenhouses.


This option should be considered if it is possible to connect the heating of the greenhouse to the heating system of the house.

When laid from the house to the greenhouse, they require high-quality insulation. The boiler power reserve must be sufficient to provide the required level of heating for both the house and the greenhouse.

If the length of the pipeline between the house and the greenhouse exceeds 10 m, it is better to refuse to use such a system.

There is also a way to organize autonomous steam heating. In this case, the boiler is installed in the greenhouse. Pipes and batteries are connected to the heating unit, and the coolant supply is ensured. Water is traditionally used as a coolant.

To ensure forced circulation of water, the system is usually equipped with appropriate pumping equipment.


For organization, air heated in the firebox of a special boiler is used. Such heating is characterized by minimal monetary costs for fuel and high thermal efficiency.


About half an hour after starting the equipment, the air temperature in the greenhouse can rise by 20 degrees. An additional advantage of the system is that there is no need to use any intermediate coolants.

Air heating is best suited for regions with mild climates. In more severe conditions, it is recommended to use a combination of air and steam heating.


In such a system, heat is generated as a result of gas combustion. The system can be configured either by connecting to a permanently supplied gas or by using fuel in cylinders.


During operation of the system, there is an intensive intake of air from the heated room, accompanied by the release of water, carbon dioxide and other waste that pose a danger to humans and, of course, plants. In view of this, the arrangement will entail additional costs for organizing the ventilation system.

This type of heating is well suited for small greenhouses. When used over large areas, the costs and complexity of maintenance may be prohibitively high.


Modern electric heating units allow you to efficiently heat a greenhouse without much effort.

Among the main advantages of such devices, it should be noted that during their operation, only the heating of plants and soil occurs. The air does not warm up. It gradually receives heat from the heated earth. This allows you to equip the most efficient and economical heating system.


Modern systems are equipped with sensors and temperature controllers, which provides ample opportunities for dividing the greenhouse into different thermal zones and providing the most comfortable conditions for each group of plants.

Prices for popular models of infrared heaters


The main unit in such a heating system is a solid fuel boiler, usually burning wood or coal.

The simplest stove heating system includes a solid fuel boiler and a smoke exhaust pipe leading from the greenhouse to the street. Additionally, you can equip the system with pipes and radiators, which will allow you to organize the most efficient and high-quality heating.

The chimney needs regular cleaning of fuel combustion products.

Available in the market as regular wood stoves, and modern. Such devices do not require frequent fuel supply and use it as efficiently as possible.

Installing a solid fuel boiler directly in the greenhouse will lead to drying out of the air and soil, as a result of which the cultivated plants may simply die. To prevent this from happening, when installing a solid fuel boiler in a greenhouse, it is necessary to equip an air humidification system. Usually it is enough to install a large container of water.


Stove heating of a greenhouse is the most popular heating option. In addition, there is nothing complicated in setting up such a system - even a novice master can handle the job. Also, solid fuel heating unconditionally outperforms electric heating in terms of cost. That is why the procedure for organizing heating of a greenhouse will be considered using the example of stove heating.

Arrangement of stove heating for a greenhouse

First option



First step. In the vestibule of the greenhouse, lay out a brick firebox for the stove on a pre-equipped foundation.

Second phase. Lay out along the entire length of the room.



Third stage. Lead the smoke exhaust pipe out of the greenhouse from the other side. As a result, combustion products will be effectively removed from the room, and the heat will remain inside.






Prices for refractory bricks

Fire brick

Second option



1 – heating boiler;
2 – thermos tank;
3 – circulation pump;
4 – relay regulator;
5 – registers;
6 – thermocouple

First step. Prepare a large metal barrel. Paint its inner surface in two layers - this will provide protection against corrosion.

Second step. Make several holes in the housing. You will connect the chimney to one of them. Others will be used to connect the tap and expansion tank.

Third step. Weld a sheet metal stove and insert it into the prepared barrel.

Fourth step. Weld a piece of pipe to the hole in the barrel to connect the chimney. The total length of the smoke exhaust structure must be at least 4-5 m.

Fifth step. Install an expansion tank on the barrel. A container with a volume of 20-30 liters will be sufficient. You can buy a tank or weld it yourself from sheet metal.

Sixth step. Install pipes throughout the greenhouse. Place the pipes on the ground in 120 cm increments. This arrangement of heating elements will contribute to effective heating of the soil in the areas where plant roots are located.

Seventh stage. Install to ensure forced circulation of water through the system.


Turn on the water supply and make sure all connections are tight. If leaks are found, seal them immediately. Only after this can you begin to test the stove and put the heating system into permanent operation.

Good luck!

Video - Heating a greenhouse with your own hands

Boiler for a greenhouse from a gas cylinder

To work, you will need an empty gas cylinder, a coil (a tube in the shape of the letter U with threads at the ends), a metal grill, a shut-off valve, hinges and two metal handles for the doors. You should also prepare a chimney pipe taking into account the length of the greenhouse, a welding machine with electrodes, a drill and an angle grinder, pipes and a radiator for the heating circuit. For the front wall of the furnace you will need a small sheet of steel.

These simple devices are used to assemble a boiler with a water circuit for heating a country greenhouse.



Step 1

After making sure that the cylinder is empty, we saw it in half with a grinder. One of the parts will serve as the furnace body, and from the second we will make an ash box.

Step 2




We take the grating, take measurements and cut it so that the resulting segment fits inside the cylinder. We secure the grate by welding. Now the stove is divided into a fuel combustion chamber (2/3 volume) and an ash pan (1/3 volume).

Step 3



We place the cylinder on a sheet of steel, outline it with chalk, and cut out the front wall according to the markings. Cut off 1/3 of the circle. From this piece we make the ash pan door, welding the handle and cutting out a semicircular piece for the bottom of the drawer from the second part of the cylinder.

We cut a rectangular hole in a larger piece of wall. We weld hinges, a handle and a latch (latch) to the cut-out rectangle. The door should close the firebox tightly.



Step 4

We install a coil (water circuit) inside the oven. We make markings for the coil, drill two holes in the upper part of the furnace to bring out the ends of the threaded pipe. We weld the coil to the metal plate and the top of the stove.


Trying on a coil


Step 5

We will install a chimney. Cut a hole for the pipe in the upper back of the stove. We weld the pipe to connect the chimney. We monitor quality, otherwise the draft and operation of the boiler will be disrupted.

We weld the chimney pipe in such a way that it will pass at an angle of about 20 degrees through the entire greenhouse. The chimney will exit through the back wall of the greenhouse, rising 1 meter above the roof. Be sure to consider thermal insulation at the point of contact between the greenhouse wall and the chimney so that a fire does not occur.

We connect the chimney pipe to the stove pipe using sheet asbestos and a coupling, tightening it with wire.



Step 6

We connect metal pipes for the water circuit to the ends of the coil brought out. The piping must contain an expansion tank and a pump that will pump water through the pipes.

Thus, the water heated in the coil will flow into the radiator, and when cooled, it will again enter the boiler. The chimney pipe will serve as an additional source of heat. Also, a long chimney will reduce heat loss, increasing the efficiency of the boiler.





Step 7

We install the stove in the greenhouse, having previously built a brick or concrete base and laid out a brick screen on three sides of the firebox. For stability, the furnace can be equipped with legs made from any reinforcement or rolled steel.

We load fuel into the stove, light it, adjust the draft by opening or closing the firebox/ash pan door.


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