I am tired of dealing with my big 200,000 BTU Modine propane greenhouse heater. I am looking for alternatives. I am tired of dealing with the propane company too, TBH.

My greenhouse 9 months out of the year is a harsh environment. It has an almost 20 ft ceiling, in about 1740 sq ft. Its intensely humid in there most of the year, and things (like my heater and its components) rust.

I do have electricity. I am having an electrician come this week to update and upgrade my breaker panel to be able to handle more things without tripping the breakers.

I need well circulated heat that will reach the entire interior.
**space type heaters will not work
**it is impossible to place pipes in the ground to run hot water through
**I already have 2 large water features
**I have pavers already to absorb and re-release heat

What are my options to ditch this endless cycle of heater repair? I've replaced this heater once in 21 years, in 2010. Its only a matter of time before I have to replace this one...the repairman was here yesterday because the little jet pilot thing that ignites the burners is rusted over....again. I had this replaced a couple years ago

I haven't seen pics of your greenhouse in a while, Gina, but I remember how big it is and the water features. I also remember you talking about your heater.

Don't know if this would even be a consideration, but have you ever thought of running a dehumidifier? I recently bought one and put it in my new greenhouse. I was getting a lot of condensation on the poly and metal framing, most likely because I put a pond in the greenhouse. Concerned about nasty stuff starting to grow with all the condensation, I decided to get a dehumidifier and set it at 80% after reading that 80% is a good humidity level for a greenhouse. No more condensation and it doesn't feel like I am walking into the tropics. Less humidity/condensation would mean less rust, and they do make dehumidifiers for large greenhouses.

A dehumidifier would be counter productive for the plants I grow most of which require very high humidity (70+%). Its a trade off.
I did talk to 2 different greenhouse companies. Electric heat is not doable. My requirements for the amount of heat I need on the coldest nights (which is raising the temp about 30 degrees) with the dimensions of my GH require at least 178,500 BTU's. I currently have 200,000BTUs. In order to get the same with electric I would have to install 240 volt plugs, 50 amp fuses and run about 6 heating units

The City of Cheyenne, WY operates a significant GH, in Frontier Park, with minimal, supplemental heat. One of the most noticeable features is the north wall stacked with black, plastic barrels. The barrels are filled with water, collecting heat during the day and releasing that stored heat during the night. In summer they "drape" those same barrels with a white, plastic sheet. I believe they also have/use a source of ground source heat. The barrels do help supply modest heat. Cheyenne, in Jan-Feb often drops to -20 or colder for a few nights each winter. Their zone is likely a warm 4.

bacachr said: The City of Cheyenne, WY operates a significant GH, in Frontier Park, with minimal, supplemental heat.

Would an electric heat pump work out in your local climate?

Shane Smith, who built and managed the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, is a friend. Here's a link to the website. https://www.botanic.org/

He also wrote a book that might be helpful.



We served on some non-profit boards and he inspired me to build a four-season greenhouse in a place 1500 ft. higher than Cheyenne. It's now in its 14th winter. Here's link to a thread with info on winter heat.

The thread "Low-tech Solar Radiant Heat" in Greenhouses forum

No it would not be cost effective for me