Just in case you want to go the economy route, and if you can devote the room in that style of greenhouse, I'm told plastic containers filled with water and painted matt black will absorb enough heat during the daytime to discharge it back into the greenhouse during the night. The system is only capable of the odd degree, i.e. to just keep the frost off, but the shadow in your pic says it's facing south and, with the above proviso re. available space, it may solve the problem for no cost (bar a tin of paint).
I use an electric fan heater in my greenhouse, also on a thermostatic plug. The air movement is beneficial in winter. I would never use a paraffin heater again, they cause too much condensation and rot on plants.
Thank you - that is helpful to know re condensation and plant rot. I hadn't even considered that. My husband keep mentioning paraffin heater but I am definitely not going that route! Especially in a wooded greenhouse 6ft from our house!
I was wondering this too.I worked out that a 2KW fanheater would cost about £7.20 in electricity for 24 hours. The plants I am trying to save only cost about £20 total to rebuy!
Just in case you want to go the economy route, and if you can devote the room in that style of greenhouse, I'm told plastic containers filled with water and painted matt black will absorb enough heat during the daytime to discharge it back into the greenhouse during the night. The system is only capable of the odd degree, i.e. to just keep the frost off, but the shadow in your pic says it's facing south and, with the above proviso re. available space, it may solve the problem for no cost (bar a tin of paint).
It is indeed facing south - well spotted! And I like this idea so may give it a try with a heater as backup.
Just in case you want to go the economy route, and if you can devote the room in that style of greenhouse, I'm told plastic containers filled with water and painted matt black will absorb enough heat during the daytime to discharge it back into the greenhouse during the night. The system is only capable of the odd degree, i.e. to just keep the frost off, but the shadow in your pic says it's facing south and, with the above proviso re. available space, it may solve the problem for no cost (bar a tin of paint).
I have no idea how you know it is facing south having looked at the photo. My Mum never let me join the Brownies when I was a child but really I'd have prefered to join the Scouts so I'd now know these things!
I was wondering this too.I worked out that a 2KW fanheater would cost about £7.20 in electricity for 24 hours. The plants I am trying to save only cost about £20 total to rebuy!
With a thermostat set to 5C, the heater will only be switched on when the GH temp falls below that and it'll only take a minute or so to raise the temp above the 5C threshold, so the heater will only actually be on for a tiny fraction of that 24H.
However, cost is a valid concern as is the contribution to global warming.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Firstly I'd be inclined to fit some internal insulation. Bubble plastic is ideal. Then probably a small fan heater will do. I bought one recently, cost around £30 never used it. In your case, it doesn't appear you have much room to move, so I'd say either a fan heater or one or two tubular heaters with a stat.
Firstly I'd be inclined to fit some internal insulation. Bubble plastic is ideal. Then probably a small fan heater will do. I bought one recently, cost around £30 never used it. In your case, it doesn't appear you have much room to move, so I'd say either a fan heater or one or two tubular heaters with a stat.
Thanks - I'll do the bubble wrap for sure and maybe start with one fan heater. My greenhouse is tiny but I love it and get a lot in! It has staging on 7 of the 8 sides at waist height and eye level. It also means it's all mine as my husband is 6ft 2in and can barely fit in! It's made of cedar wood and smells lovely when the sun is on it.
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