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This is a great example of how thermal
mass can be effectively used to cut energy costs in a greenhouse.
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I've been reading the discussion about
using water to help maintain the temperature in the greenhouse and would just
like to make a few comments. One is that for this technique to work you need
really large quantities of watera few five gallon containers is not going
to be enough. I have a 10 by 23 foot attached greenhouse and I have 14-55
gallon drums filled with water that are against the north wall of the
greenhouse (the house wall) along with a row of five gallon pails against the
south wall. While I live in Arizona and don't have the winter temperature
extremes of most of you I have found the water makes a substantial difference
in my greenhouse. My greenhouse rarely goes below 45°F (without a heater)
even during a cold winter were we get freezing weather at night frequently.
During the summer before I put in the water the temperature could soar into
150°F+ temps and now it can get to 120° but rarely higher. (I now have
a evaporative cooler and heater installed). Without the water my greenhouse
temperatures would fluctuate wildly between night and day-and increase my
energy bills. At night it would get to cold except for the hardiest of plants
and during the day I would not have been able to even grow cactus. The key to
understanding the water technique is to understand that it MODERATES
TEMPERATURE CHANGE and does not set the temperature. If you have the space this
is a good way to control the temperature in your greenhouse but like most
things has its good and bad points. from Nora Graf, quoted from the
Hobby Greenhouse Association discussion list. |