In the winter it's impossible for me to keep the hoophouse warm without constantly blasting a heater in there which would be costly, especially at night. Then I learned about growing with a microclimate. Its much easier and way cheaper to heat a small greenhouse inside the hoophouse. I start seeds in a little box with a heating pad.
Once they sprout I transfer the seedlings to a microclimate with a little space heater to control the temperature at night. It can be below freezing outside but 80 degrees in the micro house and not be noticeable in my electric bill.
by donthejonson