Heating a greenhouse is traditionally done by using a central gas boiler (electric heater) that heats water that is distributed in the greenhouse. This method of radiant heating works on the same principle as the average central heating system in homes. The temperature and flow of the heated water throughout the greenhouse can be accurately controlled with automated pump- and valve systems. A heated greenhouse is perfect for tender plants in sunny days & cloudy days!
Tube Rail system & Bench greenhouse heating
The most common heating system in commercial greenhouses is the multi-purpose tube rail. Especially with vegetable crops, the tube rail heating system is widely used because it offers a significant logistical advantage as a maintenance and harvesting vehicle and because the tube rail is used as a track. In cases where a table system is used, crops such as lettuce, herbs, potted plants and cannabis can be used. The tube rail is placed in the table supports, creating the same effect, but losing the logistical benefits.
Monorail greenhouse heating
A monorail is mainly used in greenhouses that do not have the logistical advantages of the pipe rail heating system. Monorails are tubes suspended from the truss, thus providing heat from above, but below the screens. During engineering, the structural loads must be taken into account for this system, including the way the monorail system is used. The monorail allows for carts to be suspended from the truss and to go over the crops for harvesting, crop care and maintenance purposes.
Grow tube & Snowmelt greenhouse heating
A common hot-water circuit in vegetable production is the grow tube. The grow tubes are single tubes situated at fruit-level throughout the greenhouse, which enables the grower to control the ripening process.
In cold climates, the tube rail system and the growing tube are supplemented with a snow-tube circuit. This melts off the fallen snow from the deck of the greenhouse, without having to open the climate screens and disorder the temperature at crop-level. Applying a “snow-melt” reduction factor during structural engineering, can allow for an overall lighter greenhouse structure, lowering capital expenditures and less heat loss.
