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What Are the Pros and Cons of a Solar Greenhouse Heater?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

A solar greenhouse heater has several advantages, as well as a few disadvantages. Any necessary heat is provided by the sun, which is a clean, renewable resource. A person with a solar greenhouse heater will typically have much lower energy bills than someone who has a greenhouse heated by other types of greenhouse heaters. On the other hand, there may not be sufficient heat on cloudy days. Also, some solar greenhouse equipment may be expensive, and it can be hard to keep the interior of a solar greenhouse at a steady temperature using this type of heater.

One of the biggest advantages of a solar greenhouse heater is that the sun is a completely renewable resource. Some greenhouse heaters are powered by natural gas, which is a non-renewable resource. A solar greenhouse heater is also much better for the environment because the energy used by these heaters is clean. No dangerous by-products or chemicals result from using the sun's rays to heat a greenhouse. Some fossil fuels, on the other hand, often result in dangerous by-products, like carcinogens.

Solar panels can provide energy, but add to costs.
Solar panels can provide energy, but add to costs.

Greenhouses heated by natural gas or electric can be expensive to maintain. With a solar greenhouse heater, on the other hand, a person will usually not need to worry about a high gas or electric bill. The sun is a free resource, and no one is charged to use it.

A gas or electric heater, however, may be needed to supplement a solar greenhouse heater as a backup. One of the biggest disadvantages of solar energy is that it is not always completely reliable. On cloudy days in colder months, for example, the sun may not provide enough heat to keep the plants healthy.

Solar greenhouse heaters are cheaper to operate over the long run but may be less effective in poor weather and more expensive to buy and install than other types of heating.
Solar greenhouse heaters are cheaper to operate over the long run but may be less effective in poor weather and more expensive to buy and install than other types of heating.

Building a solar greenhouse heater may also cost a little more than buying a traditional heat lamp system. Solar greenhouse supplies can be rather expensive. If a person plans to use solar panels, this will also impact the cost of building a solar greenhouse, since these are usually expensive.

Regulating the temperature inside a greenhouse with a solar heater can sometimes be difficult. During hot months, the insides of these greenhouses can get too warm. This can usually be remedied, however, by opening a door or window.

Discussion Comments

Animandel

Even though the greenhouse heaters using solar energy are more expensive, I think they are safer and more efficient in the long run, and they will eventually pay for themselves if you can wait long enough.

Sporkasia

As important as greenhouse heaters are in keeping the plants in a greenhouse alive, you shouldn't forget that once you choose the best greenhouse heater you are not finished. Keeping the plants warm in the winter is important, but keeping them cool in the summer and spring is no less important. Operating a greenhouse can mean large amounts of work regardless of what time of the year we are talking about.

mobilian33

There was a guy and his wife who opened up a greenhouse near the town where I live. They sold all types of plants: trees, scrubs, simple flowers, vegetables... Anyway, the business got to be really popular because people could find almost anything they wanted at this place.

Originally, the man and his wife used those portable propane heaters to keep the greenhouse at the needed temperatures. Then as they began making more money and decided to expand, they thought it would be a good idea to use solar powered greenhouse heaters. They thought this would be good for the environment and a good advertising point since they could say they were environmentally friendly and attract more customers.

They ended up spending way too much for the solar powered heaters and then the business took a slight downward turn and they never recovered. Being environmentally conscious is good, but you need to be sue you can afford it when you're in business.

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    • Solar panels can provide energy, but add to costs.
      By: Vanessa
      Solar panels can provide energy, but add to costs.
    • Solar greenhouse heaters are cheaper to operate over the long run but may be less effective in poor weather and more expensive to buy and install than other types of heating.
      By: ilyashapovalov
      Solar greenhouse heaters are cheaper to operate over the long run but may be less effective in poor weather and more expensive to buy and install than other types of heating.