i got a small (roughly 56x56x75”) greenhouse. i basically just need to keep it above freezing. i have no access to an electrical outlet. would a battery powered heater be an option? i’m open to any and all ideas!
by pinkypie0222
i got a small (roughly 56x56x75”) greenhouse. i basically just need to keep it above freezing. i have no access to an electrical outlet. would a battery powered heater be an option? i’m open to any and all ideas!
by pinkypie0222
14 Comments
Generally speaking heat sources have high electrical draw that makes batteries inefficient and extension cords dangerous. If you are within 50 or 60 feet of an outlet you can get away with a properly rated extension cord (12awg, as short as possible) to run some low draw heaters. You probably don’t want to exceed 10 amps. Try heat mats.
Candles or tea lights may work. I recommend getting a min-max thermometer and testing it before you put your seedlings at risk though
I’ve never used one but maybe something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-Generator-Book-sized-Traveling-Emergencies/dp/B0CFVCBQ7J/ref=asc_df_B0CFVCBQ7J/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=663413674220&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16414191238289760540&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011274&hvtargid=pla-2195823312205&psc=1&mcid=38ed1017d47a3ff989313bea5caa879a
Forget about heating it unless you insulate first.
It’s not about the cost of power, you just won’t be able to maintain warmth in there unless you go crazy with a massive heater.
The greenhouses arent meant to be used when temps still drop below freezing at night.
I got the same one and I just put a heat lamp like for chickens in it and it keeps it above 40 when overnight temps drop below 30…
Depends how cold your temps drop, but here’s some info:
Insulation is definitely a big plus as another comment mentioned. Buy some foam board and cut it to fit around the inside of the walls. It can be removed seasonally. I only add an insulation “roof” if temps drop to about 15F or below.
Oil-filled radiator heaters are pretty safe and efficient to run. Yes, the proper gauge extension cord should be used. I think my heater pulls 12.5amps on high if I remember correctly.
I have had and maintained a 6×8′ GH in both Ohio and Colorado using this method, heating it to around 40F, and it has shown a very low price increase on my bills.
I’ll attach a few photos in replies below… 🌵
I would worry more about how to cool it.
I asked basically the same question in a post here last week re my 8′ x 10′ polycarbonate greenhouse.
Based on responses and some research I’ve done, I’ve purchased four 25 gallon covered plastic barrels–1 for each corner–that I intend to fill with water and cover with black garbage bags and I have ordered a 2′ x 4′ x 12″ high black felt raised garden that I intend to fill with soil and plant along the back wall of the greenhouse between 2 of the barrels.
In theory, all should absorb heat through the day which should disipate overnight to keep temperatures more moderate.
Also looking at putting blocks of parrafin in large metal sealed cookie tins as my understanding is that parrafin should absorb heat and release heat as it cools. Haven’t reach conclusions re effectiveness and safety of this yet.
Will probably fill my barrels and planter next weekend. Fingers crossed it will all work!
Good luck with your greenhouse.
LOL? Might be cheaper to just burn cash
There are some videos out there on heating with a compost pile. Check those out.
Go geothermal
Are you trying to run it all year or just need to extend your season? If you’re just trying to extend your growing season there’s really no need for insulation as long as it’s relatively airtight. I kept my 500 square foot greenhouse heated with a single propane heater 9000 feet in elevation in the mountains of Colorado. It would be snowing outside, but inside was roasty toasty and plants were happy. No insulation. Just greenhouse plastic.
Your greenhouse is tiny. You could probably run a few candles on normal cold nights and use a propane heater when there’s a hard frost in the forecast. A solar panel powering a small heat lamp would be another option but obviously way more expensive than candles lol
Wait for the sun to come up.
I run an extension cord to mine in fact doing it tonight because it’s supposed to drop to 28 here in northeast Georgia and it’s full of started flats of vegis. As for no power options that’s tough maybe a generator or one hell of a big battery bank . It takes 2 space heaters to maintain 60 degrees I mine over night .