Greenhouse Heating

[RudeDog]

Looking for some input on an idea for greenhouse heating. I don't want to be using an electric heater due to power costs or a gas heater for humidity problems.

I thought maybe I could heat my greenhouse using the heat from a compost heap.

What do people think? Will I have problems with spores or the like?

Don't know really what to expect or if possible and worth while.

Anyone any ideas?

 

[Green81]

The Victorian gardeners used compost to heat greenhouses, be wicked to see it in action, good luck.

G81

 

[Krull]

Place some black painted barrels full of water in the greenhouse. The water will collect heat during the day and slowly release it whem the sun goes down.

Peace

=K

 

[sweetypie]

wood burning pot-belly stove, will dry the air while heating

 

[RudeDog]

OK...Been looking about on the net at different methods of compost heating. My problem is that I don't want to lose any space under the glass so the heap needs to outside.

What I'm thinking is to dig down a couple of foot and sink a 6" diameter pipe with loads of small holes in it and plumb it in to the greenhouse. Attach a fan to the other end to suck the heat from the pile. The fan can be controlled from a thermostat.

I should be able to get two compost bays along side the greenhouse.

G81...The Victorians sure knew what they were doing in their gardens, lot of good ideas.

Krull...Wouldn't get warm enough in the winter months to produce any heat, but would be good for cooler summer nights. I've been reading about a 'wall of water' as heating method.

Sweetypie...I know the stoves you mean, they look good. As it happens there might be a chance of me acquiring another greenhouse. Doubt we generate enough compost-able waste to heat the two so a wood burner would be ideal.

Anyone suggest the best material to get plenty of heat?

Going to make a start on this today. Got a rhododendron to move and bit of tidying up to do first.

Peace all.

 

[Chimera]

Pellet stove.

NFM

-Chimera

 

[RudeDog]

Chimera...Yep, if/when the second greenhouse materialises, I'll use a stove to heat.

 

[Green81]

Yea, Hey rudedog, to produce the most heat you need the compost to be super active, with a perfect balance of micro organism activity. Feed the compost with horse manure which is well balanced and mixed with kitchen waste, grass cutting etc, you don't want it too wet or too dry. Throw a old carpet onto the pile to increase consistent environmental conditions.. Good luck brother!
G81

 

[supermanlives]

hydronic heating rules. wood fired boiler. heating water is way better than heating air. with hydronic you can heat the soil and air. cost a bit to setup tho

 

[RudeDog]

supermanlives...perhaps I'll try hydro heating a second greenhouse, I'm intrigued by the compost method.

G81...I just binned an old carpet. I can get horse manure easy enough.

Made a start today and moved the plants from the heap location. Going to have a look about for some wood to make sides with.

Peace all.

 

[supermanlives]

i made raised beds with straw bales under the soil. worked well in one greenhouse

 

[Green81]

Looking forward to seeing the results.

G81

 

[RudeDog]

Looking forward to seeing the results.

G81

I'll post up me progess....

Located some 1/2" sheet wood to board out the heap, so things will progess steadily.

 

[azad]

Hi bro,The weathers on yer side this year i reckon..
Bubble wrap your greenhouse up,its a cheap option.ppl use it indoors to insulate windows over winter.....peace

 

[pearlemae]

To kick the compost pile up to 160 degrees add a bunch of alfalfa. Its just about the hottest green for a compost pile, but add some browns when you do it'll balance the pile out. Cardboard is a good source of a brown just need to make the pieces small.