Environment

The successful operation of any greenhouse requires the maintenance of an inside

temperature near the optimum level for plant growth. The exact inside temperature to be
maintained will depend on the crop being grown. Generally, designs are for 65oF inside
capability with thermostatic adjustment for exact conditions per horticultural
recommendations. Other climatic factors include relative humidity, air movement, and
carbon dioxide. Temperature and relative humidity are normally controlled by the heating
and ventilation equipment. Continuous air circulation, especially in the wintertime, is
important for distribution of heat and uniformity of inside conditions by preventing air
stagnation and stratification. Carbon dioxide enrichment of the air for greater plant growth
and production is sometimes profitable.
Information on heating, circulation, and ventilation is included in the following pages. More
detailed information can be found in existing publications of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Service.

Heating
Heat Requirements and Fuel Costs
Factors primarily affecting the heat requirements of a greenhouse are:
1.
2.
3.
4.

The
The
The
The

external environmental condition

size of the greenhouse.
structural nature of the greenhouse.
number of layers of glazing material used to cover the house.

The following pages permit determination of heating requirements and annual fuel costs for
a particular greenhouse type, size, and single or double-layer covering.

Heat Requirement Calculations for Greenhouses

It is useful to know some heat loss calculation procedures to predict heating loads and
identify areas of the greenhouse with the most heat loss. Heat loss by conduction may be
calculated with the following equation.
Q = U A (Ti - To)
where:

Q = heat transfer rate, BTU/hr.

U = heat transfer coefficient,
BTU/hr.-ft.2 oF
A = surface area, ft.2
Ti-To = air temperature difference between inside
and outside, oF.

Sometimes "R" values (the resistance to heat flow) are listed instead of "U" values. The
relation between "U" and "R" is:
U =1

R
The conduction heat transfer equation using "R" can then be written as:
Q = A(Ti-To)
R
Frequently it is more convenient to work with "R" values when dealing with insulation, as
the added effect of insulation can be determined quickly by simply summing the "R" values
of materials in the heat flow path. For example, from Table L4.7, the "R" value for a
single layer of glass is equivalent to 0.88 and for 1-inch-thick styrofoam, 4.00. Adding
styrofoam to a single-layer glass surface will give the wall an insulation value of R = 0.88
+ 4.00 = 4.88 (or a "U" value of 1/4.88 = 0.204). Note that high "R" values and low
"U" values indicate less heat flow.

Table L4.7: Heat Transfer Coefficients For Construction Materials

Materials

R Value** (hr.oF

sq.ft./BTU)
Glass, single layer
Glass, double layer, 1/4 in. space
Glass, triple layer, 1/4 in. space
Clear polyethylene film, single layer (2, 4, or 6 mil)
Clear polyethylene film, double layer, separated (2, 4, or 6 mil)
Polyethlene film, double layer, separated over glass
Fiberglass
Double acrylic (Acrylite SDPTM)
Double polycarbonate (Tuffak-TwinwalTM)
Face Brick, 4 in. thick
Concrete block, 8 inch
Concrete block, 8 inch plus l inch foamed urethane
Concrete block, 8 inch plus 1 inch foamed polystyrene
Concrete, poured, 6 inch
Cement asbestos board, 1/4 inch
Cement asbestos board, 1/4 inch plus l inch foamed urethane
Cement asbestos board, 1/4 inch plus
l inch foamed polystyrene
MicrofoamTM 1/4 in. thick
Polystyrene (beadboard or loose fill), 1/2 in. thick
Polystyrene (beadboard or loose fill), 3/4 in. thick
Polystyrene (beadboard or loose fill), l inch thick
Extruded polystyrene (Styrofoam) 1 inch thick
Polyurethane foam (applied at site), 1 inch thick
Plywood 1/2 inch
Plywood 1 inch
1 inch nominal softwood
Expanded vermiculite (6-6 lb./cu.ft., 1 inch thick)
Curtain Materials
Al/TempTM, aluminum down
aluminum up
Al/BlacTM
Duracote #2425 (FoylonTM)
Black Sateen
Black poly, 6 mil
ReemayTM , spunbound polyester, 2016
Vinyl (aluminized polyester laminated vinyl) 4.5 mil
**
*

0.88*
1.54*
2.13*
0.87*
1.43*
2.00*
1.00*
1.78*
1.61*
0.44
1.96
7.69
5.55
1.33
0.91
7.14
4.76
1.08
2.10
3.05
4.00
5.40
7.30
0.62
1.25
1.79
2.20
1.43
1.18
1.37
2.63
1.54
1.05
0.83
2.15

The R value represents the resistance to heat flow at the thickness listed. The higher the R value the
better the insulating property.
Includes effects of surface coefficients.
Acrylite S.D.P.TM CY/RO Industries
MicrofoamTM DuPont
TM
Al/Blac Simtrac, Inc.
ReemayTM DuPont
StyrofoamTM Dow Chemical
Al/TempTM Simtrac, Inc.
FoylonTM Duracote Corp
Tuffak-TwinwallTM Rohm and Haas Co.

Infiltration heat loss can be significant and should be calculated and added
to conduction heat losses. The equation for infiltration heat transfer is:
Q

= 0.02 x Vol x NC x (Ti-To)

where: Q

= heat transfer rate, Btu/hour

Vol

= greenhouse volume, ft.3

NC

= number of air exchanges per hour (Table L4.8).

Ti-To

= air temperature difference between inside and outside, oF.

Table L4.8: Natural Air Exchanges For Greenhouses

Construction System

Air Exchanges per Hour*

New Construction, glass or fiberglass

New Construction, double layer plastic film
Old Construction, glass, good maintenance
Old Construction, glass, poor condition

0.75 to 1.5
0.5 to 1.0
1 to 2
2 to 4

*Low wind or protection from wind reduces the air exchange rate.
Section Break (Next Page)

Greenhouse Surface Areas and Volume Calculations

Once dimensions are known and listed, the area and volumes can be calculated
with the following equations for the appropriate greenhouse style:
Single gable greenhouse (Figure L4.1).
Wall area = 2 (F x C)
End area = (2xFxB) + (GxB)
Roof area = 2 (DxC)
Foundation Area = 2 (ExC) + 2(ExB)
Volume = A x B x C = 1/2 (BxG)xC

Gutter-connected gable greenhouses (N = number of greenhouses) (Figure L4.2)

Wall area = 2 (FxC)
End area = [2 (FxB) + 2(GxB)] x N
2
Roof area = [2 (DxC)] x N
Foundation area = 2 (ExC) + [2 (ExB) x N]
Volume = [A x B x C + 1/2 (BxG) x C] x N

Gutter-connected, curved-roof greenhouses (N = number of greenhouses)

(Figure L4.3)
Wall area

2(AxC)

End area= [8/3 (HxB) + AxB] x N

Roof area =
(DxC) x N
Volume = [4/3 (HxBxC) + (AxBxC)] x N

Quonset-style greenhouse (Figure L4.4)

End area= 4/3 (HxB)
Roof area =
DxC
Volume
=
4/3 (HxBxC)

Figure L4.4: Quonset-style Greenhouse.