A greenhouse on a summer cottage makes it possible to plant seedlings a couple of weeks earlier and get the first vegetables. The most important condition for this is to ensure normal soil temperature. For example, for tomato seedlings, it should warm up to +20°C during the day, and at night it should be maintained at a level not lower than +18°C. Special heating devices will help the summer resident to organize and maintain such conditions. The editors of the Yanashla website bring to the attention of gardeners a review of “The best heaters for a greenhouse for 2021”, compiled according to customer opinions and expert assessments.
Why does a summer resident need a greenhouse?
Before choosing a heating system, think about how and why you will use the greenhouse. If you want to harvest crops all year round, a permanent structure is built, with double or triple glazing and ventilation. The water heating system is organized from an individual boiler. This scheme is capable of maintaining the temperature of the soil and air in the room at + 23°C.
Such solutions are more often used by farmers. An ordinary summer resident does not need them, and they cannot afford them. We will not consider them.
Our topic is heaters for small and light greenhouses. And we need to look for a budget solution. Today the market is replete with offers of structures made of light aluminum alloys and polycarbonate. This material has remarkable characteristics:
- Durable;
- Lasting;
- Heat resistant;
- Light and transparent;
- With low thermal conductivity;
- Easy to install.
In early spring, in bright sunlight, the air temperature in a polycarbonate greenhouse warms up to +40°C, even if it is -10°C outside.
True, at night this heat disappears just as quickly. In addition, we want to start working in February and finish by the new year, harvesting several crops of some crops. You can achieve results by using powerful lamps and even thick candles, installing them between the rows of plants. Such solutions require constant human presence, which is inconvenient, and brings us back to the problem of choosing a heater.
Economical greenhouse heating
To install the ThermoQuartz device, you do not have to ask for professional help. An additional purchase of a thermostat will reduce the amount of electricity used by 30-40%. The device will cost several times less than analogues that run on wood, gas, or coal. Installing thermostats will allow you to quickly record any decrease in temperature in the greenhouse.
An IR heater requires as much electricity as 1 light bulb. At the same time, it shows high heat transfer due to the presence of a quartz panel that performs the heating function.
From us you can buy ThermoQuartz heater for a greenhouse at the best price . This inexpensive device will allow you to save money while getting a guaranteed high yield.
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How to choose a suitable heater for a greenhouse
So, we absolutely do not consider complex and expensive heating systems for greenhouse farming, which require significant costs for their acquisition, operation, maintenance and repair. We are interested in inexpensive devices that can be easily installed in a small greenhouse with your own hands. There are more than enough such goods in stores. The selection criteria should be as specific as possible.
Price
Focus on your own capabilities. The purchased device should not ruin the buyer. Rather, on the contrary, with its help it will be possible to reduce the costs of obtaining high yields. In any case, the purchase should pay off within the season.
Power
Important! The device must be powerful enough to heat the soil in the greenhouse to a temperature of at least 21°C.
The air temperature in the room is of course important, but if at +20°C in the air the soil remains cold, planting seedlings is automatically cancelled. You should not even pay attention to electrical installations such as electric convectors or fan heaters if their power consumption is less than 1.0 kW. In this case, heat loss through walls, windows (ventilation) and doors should be reduced to zero. It is almost impossible to achieve this, and trying to heat an ordinary greenhouse with a low-power electrical appliance means throwing money away, literally.
Cost-effective and efficient
Purchased electrical equipment must be energy efficient.
On a note! Energy efficiency is the rational use of energy resources: electricity, gas, coal, firewood, diesel fuel. It is important not only to spend less energy, but also to get the best possible result.
In fact, this means that the same electric heater, fan heater or heat guns running on diesel fuel must be equipped with thermostats, temperature sensors, thermostats - everything that allows you to maintain the required temperature parameters without extra costs. When the temperature is sufficiently hot, the automation will turn off the device, and when the temperature drops, it will turn it on again, etc. If this is not provided, the model is outdated and not worth buying.
The most important thing to pay attention to when choosing an electrical appliance is its efficiency. It should be high enough. Let's look at the most popular types of heaters, their advantages and disadvantages.
Convectors
They heat the air in the room using heating elements, hot water or gas, using convection as a way to transfer heat from the heater to the air masses. Heated air is lighter than cold air. Therefore, cold air layers displace heated masses to the ceiling of the room and take their place in the heating device. Having heated up, they give way to colder air. This constant circulation of air masses from the heater to the ceiling and back is convection. The water in the kettle is also heated. The space heats up quite quickly. That's a plus.
Important! From the moment the convector is turned on until the room warms up, a certain amount of time will pass. To reduce it, purchase convectors with built-in fans.
In order to heat something, you definitely need a medium, either air or water. This is the essence of convection and its disadvantage. We need warmth for the soil and for the plant. We will first heat the air, which will then warm the soil and plant. Part of the energy spent in this case on heating the air is spent ineffectively.
Radiant
Radiant heat is transferred to an object from open fires (stoves and fireplaces), oil radiators or water radiators, etc. As with convection, heat is transferred through the environment: first to the air, then from the air to an object or body. Efficiency is less than expected.
Infrared
This type of device is radically different in the method of heat transfer from the previous two. Infrared radiation does not heat the air, but transfers heat directly to an object, soil or plant, or the human body, and from them the air is already heated. This warmth doesn’t care about drafts.
Important! Infrared heaters have the highest efficiency.
Infrared devices have a number of obvious advantages:
- a correctly positioned IR heater will ensure uniform heating of the soil over the entire area;
- the air remains moist, this is important for the normal development of plants;
- the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the soil and air is suppressed;
- IR heaters can be panel or ceiling, more suitable for our case;
- no special skills are required to connect devices;
- The temperature controller will provide comfortable conditions for plant development around the clock.
Ground heaters
This type of device warms the soil directly, which greatly speeds up the time for planting seedlings in the ground. They work in the same way as the familiar “warm floor” systems. To install such equipment, you will need to perform a very substantial set of works:
- select soil to a depth of 50 cm;
- lay a heat-insulating gasket;
- arrange a backfill of 50 mm sand;
- cover it with a 50mm layer of sand;
- cover the sand cushion with a protective net;
- return the fertile soil to its place, in a layer of 40 cm.
It is great heating tapes and heater cables. However, such a soil heating system is very effective, and its installation does not require special skills.
How to place heating lamps?
For proper placement of the heater, you should take into account its performance, beam dispersion range and manufacturer's recommendations.
The minimum distance from the heater lamp to the plants should be at least 1 meter.
The high location of the heater does not allow the soil to heat up too much, but at the same time makes it possible to heat a large area.
The distance between heaters in the greenhouse is maintained no more than 50 cm if a panel heater is used. The distance between infrared lamps is as large as possible. For a greenhouse 6 meters long, 3 heaters are enough. It is most convenient to place heating devices in a checkerboard pattern to avoid the formation of inaccessible zones without heat.
The best manufacturers
The heater is chosen for more than one season. When you give your hard-earned money for an electrical appliance, you want to be sure that it will last long enough. The world's best manufacturers, whose popular models do not require additional advertising, can guarantee high quality.
Ballu
Many buyers have managed to appreciate the products of this international holding, a world leader in the production of climate control equipment. The company's product range includes more than three hundred items of household and industrial equipment:
- humidifiers and dehumidifiers; coolers and heaters;
- convection, infrared, ground, water, gas heaters;
- hand dryers;
- air conditioners, split systems, etc.
It all started at the end of the 20th century with a small company producing refrigerators and freezers BLR “Bai Lunyu Refrigerated Equipment Entertainment” in the town of Keelung near Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. Today it is a multinational corporation headquartered in Hong Kong.
MO-EL
The Italian company Moel by SALKA specializes in the production of pest control products. At the same time, climate control devices have been developed and produced: IR heaters, hand dryers, hair dryers, heating equipment, etc. The functionality of some models can be supplemented with various devices, incl. air ionizer. The popularity of the company's models is explained by the constant search for new technical solutions.
Timberk Tech
The Swedish manufacturer is a recognized leader in the production of climate control equipment. The company's products undergo rigorous quality control at each processing stage. The latest technologies are used in the production process. Buyers highly value products bearing the Timberk brand for their high quality, affordable prices and the regular appearance of new products on sale.
Electrolux
A Swedish company known throughout the world for its high-quality household appliances. All housewives know her products. These are washing machines and dishwashers, irons and steam generators, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. Among all this diversity, there was a place for all kinds of heaters, convection, infrared, etc. Users note the high build quality and excellent design of Electrolux products. In 2014, the company supplied equipment to hotels in Sochi, in preparation for the Olympic Games.
SST Group of Companies
“Special systems and technologies” is the abbreviation for the SST group of companies. Specialization – heating cables and electrical heating systems, industrial and domestic. Here are sets of heated floors and systems for heating pipes, deicers. The largest manufacturer of such products in Russia. In terms of production volume, it is one of the largest in Europe. SST (more than 1000 items).
Green Box Agro
The brand belongs to the SST group of companies. Produces sets of ground heating systems: consisting of: cable of various lengths, temperature controller. Purpose – heating the soil in greenhouses of various sizes.
Heatline
Russian manufacturer of heating cables: resistive, self-regulating, ultra-thin. With the help of equipment produced by the company, industrial tanks, containers, and pipelines are heated. The company's engineers constantly solve problems to improve the energy efficiency of their designs.
Sokol-Electro
Domestic manufacturer with a rich history. In 1877, Russian Army Colonel Boris Ivanovich Wiener founded the Ekaterininsky Powder Factory. By the beginning of the 20th century, the company became the largest private supplier of gunpowder for the Russian army. One of the company's shareholders was Emmanuel Nobel, the father of the future founder of the most prestigious prize in the world. Today the company produces electrical products, including heating tapes, which are in demand among greenhouse owners.
Thermophone
Russian company. On the market for more than 20 years. Specialization – development and production of budget infrared emitters. The company constantly uses innovative technologies in its models. The head of the enterprise has a scientific degree in the field of application of IR emitters in agriculture. The company's products can be used to heat large areas.
Soft Term
Domestic manufacturer of low-temperature IR heaters. The company is the owner of the STEP brand. The company provides a full range of services at the buyer’s request:
- will analyze energy consumption at the customer’s site free of charge;
- will perform calculations of power and payback period;
- optimizes the layout of heaters;
- will ensure delivery of equipment to the site.
Supra
The Japanese corporation is one of the recognized world leaders in the production of consumer electronics. Its products are in demand all over the world, thanks to the successful ratio of high quality and affordable prices. The company was founded in 1974. Today it is an international concern with production facilities around the world.
Hyundai
A well-known South Korean company known as a car manufacturer. However, models of convectors, IR emitters, fan heaters, etc. are widely represented on the climate technology market. They are popular among buyers due to their high-quality assembly, innovative technical solutions and affordable price.
There are enough companies on the market that produce high-quality heaters of various types. The buyer decides which company equipment is best to buy, taking into account his financial capabilities.
In any case, you should listen to the advice of experienced users, recommendations of sales consultants in specialized stores, find out how much a suitable model costs, carefully study the description and step-by-step operating instructions. All this information will help you avoid making mistakes when choosing a heater for your greenhouse.
Which heater is best for a particular greenhouse?
The choice of device is based on a number of factors, for example:
- Heated area. First you need to decide what size the greenhouse or greenhouse will be. Based on this, purchase a stationary or mobile device.
- Considering all the parameters of the room, choose the power. If one of these two parameters is calculated incorrectly, you may not get the desired effect.
- Type of instalation. Not all devices may meet your needs. This refers to the type of fastening. It may be more convenient to mount the model on the ceiling, but the selected model will not have such a mount.
- Safety. Of course, this parameter is one of the most significant. It is necessary that the model has an automatic fuse against electric shock to a person, against overheating, as well as protection against moisture.
As for the type: IR, convector or soil heaters, this is a purely personal opinion. But the latter type is definitely better suited for a small greenhouse. In terms of energy consumption, IR wins. It is considered the most modern device, which in its basic indicators surpasses all others.
You can purchase the devices we are considering at any specialized store, as well as order them through an online store.
Where can I buy
There are many options. These are construction stores, specialized trading platforms for gardeners and summer residents, or stores selling electrical appliances and equipment. At any of these points the product can be seen and touched. In addition, a face-to-face purchase allows you to avoid purchasing a counterfeit. It's easy to calculate. Electrical appliances are always sold with a warranty period, during which service centers will repair the faulty device free of charge. "Left" companies do not provide guarantees for their products.
If for some reason this option does not suit you, you can always order the product online in an online store.
Rating of quality heaters for greenhouses
The best convection models
3.Ballu Camino Eco Turbo BEC/EMT-1500
The convector from the international concern Ballu was created using innovative solutions while maintaining an affordable price. A monolithic heater is used, made using Hedehog technology, which does its job faster than similar devices. The power consumption of the device is 1500 W. This is enough to heat rooms whose area does not exceed 20 sq.m.
The device is equipped with a thermostat, therefore, energy is consumed efficiently. Control unit with mechanical temperature switch. For ease of use, a light indicator is provided. In case of overload or capsizing (floor-standing version), the device turns off. Case dimensions: 540x400x90 mm, structure weight - 3.5 kg. Suitable as additional heating for home and garden. Average price: 2550 rubles.
Ballu Camino Eco Turbo BEC/EMT-1500
Advantages:
- the case does not heat above 60 °C;
- presence of a thermostat;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- not identified.
2.Timberk TEC.E3 E1000
Convector from the Swedish company Timberk. Power is adjustable. You can set the values to 1000, 550 and 450 W. Very convenient and economical. A monolithic heater allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature in a room with an area of no more than 13 sq.m. (this is not much). The heater is turned off when the set temperature is reached by a thermostat. The equipment is placed in a waterproof housing. Control and temperature adjustment are electronic.
The device is equipped with a timer and is not afraid of frost. Safety is guaranteed by an automatic system with a switch-off function when tipping over (for the floor-standing version). At the request of the customer, it is equipped with wheels, i.e. Can be either mobile or wall-mounted. The dimensions are quite compact: 455x440x105 mm, weight - 3.3 kg. Average cost: 3060 rubles.
Timberk TEC.E3 E1000
Advantages:
- silent operation;
- safe operation;
- waterproof housing;
- adjustable power;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- small heating area.
1.Electrolux ECH/AG2-2500 T
Branded wall-mounted convector from the famous Swedish manufacturer. Designed for heating rooms with an area of 30 sq.m. The waterproof housing allows it to be used for heating a greenhouse. Power consumption is adjustable from 1250 to 2500 W. The device is equipped with a monolithic heating module, which accelerates to operating temperature much faster than its analogues and has a service life of 25 years.
The presence of an aerodynamic system helps to increase the convective flow by almost 40%, as a result of which the room warms up much faster. The device has dimensions of 800x400x90 mm. and weight 4.6 kg. Its wall mounting with such a mass will not cause trouble to the buyer. If necessary, you can order a model in a floor-standing configuration. The manufacturer provides a five-year warranty on its products. The average cost of the model is 4,300 rubles.
Electrolux ECH/AG2-2500 T
Advantages:
- electrical power adjustment;
- the surface temperature of the device does not exceed 60°C;
- small size and weight;
- impressive heating area.
Flaws:
- not identified.
The best infrared heaters
4.Ballu BIH-CM-0.6
Infrared heater for ceiling mounting, power 600 W. Energy efficient, does not heat the air. Quickly warms up the soil and vegetation in a greenhouse with an area of no more than 12 sq.m. To achieve maximum effect, it is installed at a height of 2.4 to 3.5 meters. The device is quite lightweight, weighing only 2.2 kg with dimensions of 135x885x40 mm. Considering that the length of the device reaches almost 90 cm, two people will be required to hang it and attach it to the ceiling. The product is supplied with an instruction manual and a warranty card. Average price: 2343 rubles.
Ballu BIH-CM-0.6
Advantages:
- uses energy economically;
- easy;
- quickly warms the soil and seedlings;
- inexpensive.
Flaws:
- not identified.
3.Supra IR 2000 W
Ceiling infrared heater from a famous Japanese manufacturer. Power consumption - 2000 W. This allows you to heat the soil and plants in a greenhouse with an area of 20 sq.m. The controls are mechanical and simple. The device is protected from overheating. The weight of the device is 9.6 kg, with dimensions of 1620x2730x430 mm. For a ceiling lamp (also called IR emitters), the dimensions are considerable. To install it, you need to be confident in the strength and rigidity of the greenhouse structures. The installation process will require two people. The device is mounted at a height of at least 1800mm. Average price: 3190 rubles.
Supra IR 2000 W
Advantages:
- high-quality materials and assembly;
- overheat protection;
- large heating area;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- heavy weight.
2.Hyndai HH C2-20
Infrared heater from a South Korean corporation. Closed carbon heater. Works without noise. Compact, does not take up much space. Can be attached to walls and ceilings. For a greenhouse, the ceiling option is preferable. The fastening is simple and reliable. Quickly warms up the soil. Energy efficient, does not heat the air. Installed at a height of at least 2.5 m. Power consumption 2000 W. The effective heating area is no more than 20 sq.m. The device has dimensions of 1620x250x450 mm and a weight of 5.5 kg. Average cost: 3190 rubles.
Hyndai HH C2-20
Advantages:
- simple design;
- reliable assembly;
- large heating area;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- not identified.
1.MO – EL Fiore 1200 W
The ceiling IR heater from the Italian manufacturer MO – EL receives the best customer reviews. The power consumption of the device is 1200 W. This ensures rapid heating of the soil in a greenhouse with an area of no more than 6 sq.m., with an installation height of at least 2.5 m. The contents of the housing are protected from moisture. The device, measuring 710x110x80 mm, weighs only 1.0 kg, which is very good for a ceiling-mounted device. No need to worry about how to install it yourself. The length of the power cord is 1.5 m. The heating element is protected from accidental contact by a stainless protective grille. Average price: 11,590 rubles.
MO – EL Fiore 1200 W
Advantages:
- compact and lightweight;
- powerful;
- easy to control; quickly heats up the soil.
Flaws:
- small heating area;
- short power cord;
- high price.
Ground heaters
3.Term Engl-2-0.10 1220-6.8
Universal heating cable. It is used for heating elements of organized roof drainage. It is used to heat parking lots, steps of external stairs and ramps, pipelines and tanks. Engl-2 is sealed and can be used even under water. Nothing prevents you from using it to heat the soil in a greenhouse. The 6.8 m long kit provides a power consumption of 100 W, and a specific power of up to 15 W/m. When laying in the ground, it must be protected with a galvanized mesh (purchased separately). If damaged, the cable cannot be repaired. The thermostat is not included in the kit. Average price: 921 rubles.
Therm Engl-2-0.10 1220-6.8
Advantages:
- universal industrial and household device;
- 100% tight and safe;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- short cable length;
- small ground heating area;
- The thermostat is purchased separately.
2. Heatline system – SOIL HL-GR-1100
An example of using a resistive cable for soil heating of the root system of plants in a greenhouse. A heating section 74 meters long, with a power of 1100 Watt, heats an area from 11 to 22 sq.m. It can be used to heat the soil in a greenhouse, flower bed, lawn, path and playground. The cable is laid in 135 mm increments. The thermostat (not included in the delivery package) provides control of soil temperature within the range from 15 to 25°C.
The system provides consumer protection from electric shock. If the cable is mechanically damaged, an emergency disconnection from the network will automatically occur. Average price: 3633 rubles.
Heatline system – GROUND HL-GR-1100
Advantages:
- universal and effective system for gardening;
- safe;
- durable;
- affordable.
Flaws:
- thermostat HTL-104 is purchased separately.
Self-installation
Purchasing infrared ceiling heaters for greenhouses and choosing them correctly is not all a gardener needs to know. They also need to be installed and secured correctly. To do this, you should follow several rules:
- infrared heating of greenhouses should occur at a distance from the soil of at least one meter;
- the greater the distance from the ground, the more the heating temperature decreases and the area increases;
- the distance from the device to the plant should not be the same, so these indicators need to be changed from time to time;
- devices should be placed along the perimeter of the greenhouse closer to the walls and ceiling (ideally above the windows, if any), which will reduce heat loss;
- the number of units of equipment is calculated depending on the area of the greenhouse, maintaining the required temperature, as well as the location of the IR heaters.
Prices for such devices vary, as they depend on the manufacturer, type of design, and use of certain materials in the production.
The cost of the devices, although higher than analogues, is justified. Such an acquisition pays for itself in a short time due to saved energy and a good harvest.
