GREENHOUSE COOLING THREAD

[FMCDomer]

I live in SoCal so the highs might reach to something like 110 during the summer which means the greenhouse would be maybe 130 for the max.

it is 11x11x8 bedroom conversion with solexx panels

we will be using a tank or they hydrogen burner for co2.. so it will be enclosed. I might just install a vent just for precaution

I want to be able to keep the room at 80 degrees during the hottest summer
day

systems I am looking at are heatexchangers from heatexchanger. ca
those kewicool units with the penguins but the are just so damn expensive

split A/C unit

we also have a pool we can use and I will get a chiller if i have to

 

[Spanishwilly]

I'm going to use a split AC unit. How would I use my pool?

 

[Me2]

The pool might be a good option depending on the size and the water temperature.

 

[Spanishwilly]

The pool might be a good option depending on the size and the water temperature.

Uhh, option for what you guys?

 

[boo]

I would assume using the pool to cool the evaporater coils...kinda like using the pool as a heat exchanger rather than flushing it with water which goes to waste...use an LG or mr.slim split unit...I use one and have loved it for years...

 

[Spanishwilly]

thats a split air con unit?

 

[boo]

look up mitsubishi mr. slim...it's a fairy new innovation in a/c units...wall mounted coils with an exterior compressor...

 

[Me2]

Uhh, option for what you guys?

Cooling
A pool can soak up a lot of heat without much of a rise in temperature. A duct fan and a length of weighted pipe is much cheaper than an AC.. to buy and to run

 

[boo]

gee, that won't be too obvious...might as well put up a sign that says I grow pot...in theory it sounds goood but putting a pipe thru a pool...hmmm

 

[zenoonez]

What about using geothermal cooling? What I mean is that even when it is 98-105 in my area, 10 ft below the surface it is still in the 60s. So why not bury a tank or another form of heat exchanger, flat panels perhaps and pump water through them to cool it then pass air over radiators in the greenhouse to cool the air. I know I am not being terribly clear here but I hope you get the general idea.

 

[Me2]

Its better to use air, route it directly from the room to the thermal mass (pool etc) and back.

I guess anyone using a pool cover in summer is a potential grower

 

[P-NUT]

I thought youd need to use the pool with a pump hooked to a water cooled a/c. I always wondered how much that raises your pool temp and how cold the input water needs to be in order to work. Where Im at pools get to the 70s easily in summer and I dont think that would cool the coils enough I guess thats where water coolers come into play but that seems like a lot of wasted energy. Im no expert though and it could be more efficient to do it that way compared to mini splits like mr slim but Id highly doubt it. If anyone knows about the water cooled a/cs and what the input water temp needs to be then please post it up.

 

[Me2]

A 70F pool would probably be ok if you could feed it with air at 90F with 55% RH. The returning air would be pretty close to the water temperature (maybe 75F) plus you`d have a good flow rate.

 

[southernlight]

im new to growing in a greenhouse and also live in so cal. my last crop fried between the time that i left for work and got home 9 hours later. any thoughts on building a solar panel to run an ac unit? i have researched solar panels and it seems pretty easy and not as exspensive as running the ac all summer.

 

[southernlight]

it is a little obvious however i have a super nosey neighbor and with a small vegetable garden next to my greenhouse he hasn't caught on yet.

 

[planted1]

Its not going to be cost effective to run an a/c unit off solar panels, now automating a greenhouse with solar panels is very possible considering the low power input. a large exhaust fan designed for a greenhouse will pull 3-5 amps maybe, where as a small window a/c will pull down 10 amp minimum. maybe an evaprorative cooler would be a better option, with low power requirements. even then solar panels are expensive, no way around that. very good idea though, solar panels dont produce a whole lot of energy so you have to keep that in mind when trying to keep the cost as low as possible.

 

[Tilt]

check out coolerado.com

 

[Drybulb230]

I use a very small 4'x8" shade house. where I live temps are about 100-115degrees all summer long. i use two 24" fans and a simple misting system with 6 emitters which has its own 80 gl. res run by a submersible pump. The fan and pump are connected to a durable outdoor thermostat when temps get above 85 degrees the fans and pump come on. It stays around 86 most of the time.

 

[h.h.]

If you are using pots the roots will fry. I dig in about 18". Lower is cooler. Light shade cloth house, not too dark. Plastic in the winter. Misting in the summer, ice on the ground.