With energy costs representing more than 10% of greenhouse growers' sales, now is an optimal time to consider ways to reduce greenhouse energy consumption. This publication describes the key aspects of greenhouse heating and cooling and provides an overview of ways to make greenhouses more energy efficient.
Topics covered include glazing materials, sealing the greenhouse envelope, windbreaks, insulation, thermal and shade curtains, unit heaters, heated air distribution, space utilization, fans, natural ventilation, supplemental lighting, environmental controls, and passive solar greenhouses (16 pages; 2011).
This publication is one of five in the Energy Efficiency in Greenhouses series.