I’m in the process of building an aluminum and polycarbonate greenhouse that will used to cover my 100gal stock tank pond and then the rest of the space will be used as a hangout/lounge area. The greenhouse is being built on a pallet/plywood floor.
My issue is I live in Michigan so the winters get pretty cold sometimes. In a perfect world I’d love to keep the greenhouse around 40-50 degrees in the winter but idk if that’s possible. Me and my husband have talked about using foam board insulation on the walls to help keep heat in and definitely going through and sealing any gaps where unwanted air can get in. I know they sell greenhouse heaters but I’m worried about how much electricity it will pull. Propane heaters don’t run for long and I’d have to constantly be swapping tanks I feel like. What’s your experience with heating a greenhouse and the cost?
(Progress pic of it being built and a friendly reminder to NEVER buy a greenhouse off amazon duh it’s been a nightmare to build)
by Background_Will5100
4 Comments
I think that heating the pond may be more cost effective, and allowing the thermal mass to keep the space warm, alongside insulation. It would probably also benefit with a layer of insulation on the floor too.
Unfortunately I don’t have much experience actually heating a space this large so I can’t offer any cost guidance
I heat my 6×8 Harbor Freight to 40F. Had it set up in Cleveland for two winters.
I used 2″ R13 foam board around the walls. When the temp is low 20s or below, I put in an interior “roof” with some more foam board to make a 6x8x4ft cube of insulation. I heat with an electric radiator heater. Thankfully I moved to a very sunny 6b, so my heater now runs mainly at night, but still a noticeable cost.
I would attempt to make the heated space as small as you can. Possibly look into some greenhouse-grade bubble wrap for the roof as well?
Plywood floor will rot out fast.
Kerosene heaters are generally the cheapest to run per unit heat unless you have free fuel like firewood. However, you’d have to work out a good plan for ventilation.