Description
Crop production in greenhouses is very popular today as it offers 10 to 20 times higher yields per unit area than outdoor production [1] . However, the high energy costs in greenhouse production are a major challenge for producers. The energy cost in greenhouse production is the largest operating cost after labor, especially in cold regions. The costs of heating (mainly) and cooling in greenhouses, excluding labor-related costs, represent approximately 70-85% of the total operating cost [2] . However, depending on the type of greenhouses, environmental control practices, and most importantly, the location of the greenhouses, heating energy can reach up to 90% of the total energy need [3] . Therefore, reducing greenhouse heating costs can make greenhouse production more economical and sustainable.
Greenhouses are usually heated with hot water circulating in pipes, hot air distributed through ducts, or root zone heating systems. Underground heat systems in greenhouses require much less budget compared to side and top heat storage. For this reason, in recent years, there has been a tendency to use root zone heating systems intensively in terms of making a visible contribution to the production in greenhouses and causing lower costs. Because root zone heating directly heats the root area of the crop, it provides proper temperature to the roots of the crops, stimulating plant growth and flower production and increasing productivity. However, heating the root zone results in less fuel consumption compared to heating the greenhouse air.
Advantages of heating the root zone;
- Even distribution and rise of the substrate temperature,
- Short and very fast growing of crops;
- Thermoregulation in which a variety of crops that require a very specific microclimate can be grown;
- Growth of seedlings even during periods of frost;
- In greenhouses with high and low insulation values, the heat should heat the plant, not the space,
- Since the heating of the soil has high efficiency, it saves significant fuel wastage and
- It provides low bactericidal effect.
Unlike technologies such as biomass, which require an ever-increasing material input and therefore can cause environmental degradation, the technique of heating the root zone with the Electric Greenhouse Heating Cable never harms the environment [4] . There is a potential to use renewable energy for this purpose, as cables laid underground provide heat by transmitting electric current.
The greenhouse heating technique with the Electric Greenhouse Heating Cable is designed with the principle that the electric underfloor heating cable used in homes and workplaces works under the ground with a long life.
In addition to all these, Electric Greenhouse Heating Cable,
- Maintenance free:
Other familiar greenhouse heating systems are installed with many components, machinery and parts that deform over time and require maintenance. In addition, the size of these systems means the presence of materials that require more maintenance. Contrary to these, the heater cables used in Electric Greenhouse Heating Systems do not require maintenance. Since the cables are covered with a special coating material for the areas of use, they are not affected by the external conditions in the soil or place where they are laid and do not deteriorate. The only source these cables need is electricity. Although the control panel, thermostat and sensors required to control the heating system need to be renewed over time depending on usage, replacement is very easy and cost-effective.
- It is long lasting
ISITMAX HEATING SYSTEMS, the manufacturer of Electric Greenhouse Heating Systems, manufactures the resistance cables with the highest standards in our country with German Polymer Technology and offers a 10-year warranty for the heating cables in outdoor environments. The cables are produced with the principle of working without problems for decades in a humid environment under the ground, and we already have cables working underground in the greenhouse for 14 years.
- It is economical
The installation of Electric Greenhouse Heating Systems is the most economical solution at the underground heating point. These systems have the potential to be fed with renewable energy sources. The fact that electricity can be easily controlled, the heat is felt instantly, and that it can be switched on and off via thermostat and control unit according to the heating scenarios needed in the greenhouse provides a significant decrease in the consumption values of the system. The heating process made from the plant root can also be used as an additional heating source.
- Increases product yield and profitability
Heating the plant from the root increases the yield, contributes to the product quality, increases the fertilization and decreases the use of hormones. In addition, Electric Greenhouse Heating Systems help increase profitability by the fact that the so-called false cemre plant yields earlier.
[1] Nederhoff, E., & Houter, B. (2007). Improving energy efficiency in greenhouse vegetable production. Wellington, NZ.
[2] Anifantis, AS, Colantoni, A., & Pascuzzi, S. (2017). Thermal energy assessment of a small scale photovoltaic, hydrogen and geothermal stand-alone system for greenhouse heating. Renewable Energy, 103, 115-127.
[3] Kristinsson, J. (2006). The energy-producing greenhouse. In PLEA2006 (pp. 6-8).
[4] Alternative Heating Sources in Vermont Greenhouses. Retrieved from https://www.middlebury.edu/system/files/media/GreenhouseFINAL.pdf .
