Cheaper Greenhouse Heating!
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- čas přidán 20. 08. 2024
- With the cost of everything going up, including ridiculous electricity prices, I am always looking for ways to save money and optimise things. Heating up my grow areas is costly in a normal year, but with the cost of electricity doubling, I had to find a cheaper solution. After a lot of research, a diesel heater appears to be the answer. I will see how it works out in the long run, but so far I am very pleased with the results.
➡ Diesel Heater: geni.us/diesel...
➡ AC to DC Power Supply: geni.us/400wacdc
Want to automate things, and provide better control for the diesel heater? Have a look at the arduino project over on my second channel: • Diesel Heater Arduino ...
➡ Some great videos on Diesel Heaters over on this channel: / @davidmcluckie
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![Small Off Grid Greenhouse Heater [Vevor 12V Diesel Heater]](/img/n.gif)
I've been pleased with the results so far. Let me know if you would like an update on how this is working out, later in the season.
Great idea! 👍
Definitely yes
What about log burner wouldn’t that be cheaper ?
@Texicash possibly...a lot more work though. Actually firewood is really expensive at the moment too. We have a log burner in the house. And buy a m2 of logs for about £120
Definitely! Very interesting heat alternative, thanks
I work on diesel heaters as a marine engineer. The exhaust outlet is designed to be fitted the other way around ie. Long section of pipe should be on the inside of the shed (running uphill), so there is plenty of pipe to slide the exhaust hose onto. You will get some exhaust leakage also, so definitely use a stainless jubilee clip on both ends to be safe.
You should have the air inlet drawing air from outside. That way it won't be sucking out your warm air from inside the shed and sending it out of the exhaust. It also won't create a negative pressure which will suck cold air into the shed.
I have taken your advice, and now have it pulling in cold air from outside. Makes sense. Thank you!
You`ll use more fuel to heat the cold air. I`d route the cold air intake and exhaust pipes through a (steel) container filled with water which will act as a heat exchanger. Basically using the heat from the exhaust to preheat the incoming cold air.
I love these little heaters. Have one installed in my fermenting room, my workshop/shed, and one i've modded a little for when I go car camping in the winter. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, can't lose. I'm considering using a couple to heat key rooms in my home.
I received my seeds on Friday all sown great service and I have shared the Chinese lemon thanks
Normally solar panels might be a helpful addition too, but I guess the times they bring in the most energy will also be the times your greenhouse is also heated most by the sun as well.
Very true, solar is great for when it’s sunny so best employed running your fans on hot days 👍
Hi Shaun,
I have been running one of these for a couple of years now and my only problem is they run a little too warm for a 12 X 8 , not a problem you will encounter I'm sure, the pump seizes up every time I leave it stood for a while but they are very cheap. one thing that may be helpful for you is to run a length of pipe along one side of the greenhouse and connect the exhaust to it you wouldn't believe the amount of heat that is given off. Mine runs the full 12 feet on one side and you can't touch it where it exits the greenhouse without taking the skin off your hands.
I use a length of 2 inch copper but if you can create a connection a piece of scaffolding tube would work well and be a lot cheaper especially the more modern aluminium one as it's a much better conductor.
Hey Paul. The reuse of heat from the exhaust is certainly something I considered. I like your idea.
And you are correct, that things runs hot...but with the little project I have over on my second channel, I can really dial in the temperature I want in the space. With regards to the pump, I think I may have the same issue you mention...because it will only be used for a couple of months each year.
Hey that's a great idea! And a huge increase in efficiency. I'd guess that's like a jacketed system? Use a low cfm fan to push air through the jacket, you could heat two rooms easily enough. I'm going to have to test that for my workshop and fermenting room, as they are side by side and are around 18 cubic metres each. Both insulated. If it works well enough, I'd consider it for the rest of my home, as some rooms just don't need as much heat to be comfortable in the winter here in Australia, as others. Thanks for the ideas man, wish I'd seen or thought of this earlier.
I have two diesel heater set ups, one I used a 10ft x 4 in pipe but the exhaust heat reclaimer I like better is a 55 gal metal barrel with a short pipe to the outdoors. With the heater on low the barrel only gets about 40F above ambient air
Great timing on this one. Not the best season in Australia. Finally had some good weather but the plants are way behind. Might need to add some heat to the greenhouse to finish off the super hots this year. This has given me some great ideas. Many thanks.
Or you could throw a few HID lights in there and get a ton of heat and lumens for the same electrical cost of running heaters that only serve 1 function? 15 year indoor/outdoor grower.
You should put a small solar panel on the roof and a 12v battery no need for the ac/dc converter
Perfect timing! It's time to save as much as possible on energy...
You know you have my attention on this one Shaun! Was noticing the air is chilly as you were shooting this video. Looking forward to some of your testing for temperature control reliability hopefully before you start filling your seed shed too full of seed starts. Great idea you have come up with the extend your growability earlier and later in the season! Stay Spicy! -Bob...
So fortuitous that you made a video about these heaters as I have been looking into them for the last couple of weeks! They seem to be the most efficient and affordable option for heating a greenhouse or other small space. I for one would like to see updates about your experience using these. Thanks Shaun!
Wonder if putting the fuel tank on the outside of your shed would be useful?
Also, another idea:
Wrap some soft metal tubing around the exhaust pipe: pump your reservoir water through the tubing and back into the res.
Keep your water warm for the lovely plantlings.
😁
Cool piece of equipment and it sounds like it is going to work perfectly for your needs. I am certainly glad my electricity does not cost what it does there. I would be totally broke with all the energy I use each month. Thank you for sharing my friend. Stay Spicy! V/R Shane
Nice! I need one of those for my greenhouse. Thanks for the video!
Great idea with the diesel heater! I knew nothing about such small ones.
Every time I see a diesel heater I think of Forestry Forests van life and hiking channel. He had his modded to be much more quiet, by a talented channel subscriber.
Right need to sort mine now great video mate
looks like a good options, is going to be interesting to see how it works out.
I had no idea these exist, thank you!
Love the diesel heater.
You are so so so smart and a great person to look up to
as an electrician, i can tell you there are 2 sides to the meter... the expensive side, and the cheap side... ;) (only partly kidding, current UK prices are an absolute rip off)
You and a Nasa mech/elec tech I worked with would get along great.
There's probably a protective film over that display that needs to be removed which is making it appear so dim.
Great advice!! Thanks!
Very cool
Interesting... I would automate this with Home Assistant.
Very neat. I always wondered if the exhaust would even be an issue given the plants breathe that stuff in. Better safe than sorry, eh?
Wait until you see how I use it in my greenhouse 😉
Plants love co2, they become more productive with higher amounts of it and use less water.
Cheap and clean
Thanks
By any chance have you thought about more insulation? Or possibly seen Arkopia, he has built a big solar passive green house
Howdy Sean,been awhile. Yes these diesel heaters are great. The best way to think of them is diesel powered furnaces. I had one in my semi truck when I was doing long haul driving in the states. What you were showing looks like the units from Vevor. I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't considered using one for a greenhouse, brilliant. Don't know why I hadn't thought about doing that, thanks. Have a great day. 🌤😀🔥👍🍻
Hi Shaun, I'm thinking about some contraption for heating of my mini greenhouse. I have small 2-tier plastic greenhouse (ca. 40W X 50L x 80H) and I plan to move my chillies around late April to take more sun on my balcony. I thought about using some solar panels with powerbank and heating mat to keep the temperatures around 15C (especially during nights). I live in 6b plant hardiness zone.
Is it worth a try? It should cost me around 50EUR for everything (also I can use that not only for heating chillies). Or is it better to leave them inside longer but less exposed to sun?
So has the war between Russia and Ukraine major electricity bill go up,, I'm in the USA so I'm just asking for an FYI
I respect that you always get two of everything 🫡 you know.
Viscosity
Wondering if it has an odor like diesel trucks
No not at all. It burns pretty clean
@@ChilliChump looking for heat for my green house but I have asthma and couldn’t do any strong chemical smell. Thank you for your help🥰
can you use used motor oil ?
Yes you can, but you would need to add some additives, and best to filter it too
What sort of amps does this draw when running? My propex heater in my van draws 1.5amps. Should be able to get one running in my PT as it’s got a solar panel.
The fan pulls about 0.6amp. When it starts up and the glow plug is running, it pulls over 10amps. But that lasts for less than a minute
I would be interested to know how well hydroponics works with chillies.
Have a look at this playlist of mine Hydroponics with ChilliChump: czcams.com/play/PLuQ_ySnkV1ekm5F9SFKmmETRr2ezyM6ze.html
thanks for another great video. is solar not an option or is this cheaper?
Solar wouldn't be able to provide the power required for heating. The batteries alone would cost tens of thousands of pounds.
@@ChilliChump fair enough thanks
I am interested in one of these heaters. Have you found any advantages between the two, other than convenience of installation. Really enjoying the Chillichump channels.
Hey Paul, they are both essentially the same. I think the one that doesn't come in a frame is more versatile, because you can customise where you fit it and it comes with a bigger fuel tank. The one in a frame is handy if you are going to move it about.
@@ChilliChump Thats great to know. Thank you for the reply, looking forward to future updates on how you get on.
Why haven't you done a video on the 2023 cc seed kit? Really slacking on the promotion. I Didn't have space for extra plants anyways and knowing me I will still have way to many plants because I won't throw away my extra seedlings...
I have! Also discussed it during livestream. I will be doing my seed choosing video next week ..which will discuss the ccsk2023.
@@ChilliChump don't get me to exited, I need my sleep
You have a unique accent, do I detect a bit of South African in there?
I grew up in Africa
Question will it work down to about -20 -30 c it gets down to about -30 F here in Nebraska
It should do. You just need to make sure you have enough power for the "glow plug" which starts the process.
It might not keep it warm enough during the real prolonged cold snaps; all depends on greenhouse size and design.
Might want to look at getting a pellet stove for your greenhouse.
Lol. He says aluminum! I say it aluminum. Weird hey?
Will these run off biodiesel or used engine oil from a car garage?
Biodiesel, yes. And while it will run off used engine oil, you would need to just be careful of the issue I speak about at the end
Used deepfrying oil?
@Minolta I discuss this at the end of the video
Why is kerosene so much cheaper than diesel
It's used for domestic heating so it attracts lower taxes
I am not sure what the equation’s to in USA dollars
If its worth it depends on your electricity price as well and since they are pretty much free by our standards there will be much less of an advantage
Avg US power is 11 cents per kW, his cost is almost 5x that, 40 pence is around half a dollar, so its not likely to be worth it unless youre in some place w/really, really high power cost. Incidentally, I knew that places like Germany had insane power rates and had ruined their power production due to "going green" but I dint know things were that bad in the UK. Wow.
Oh noes, he's burning the diesel and kills the planet, all for his peppas!
😂
I think the solution is to buy Russian gas
hmm, imo burning fossil fuel is not the way to go. all you do with composting, the chickens and water collection sounds so good concerning the climate change. burning fossil fuel just feels wrong to me. did you consider using solar power instead?
Solar power wouldn't be able to provide the energy for required heating. And unfortunately, electricity here is still largely generated with fossil fuels. So would be using fossil fuels either way.
@@ChilliChump It's definitely a higher initial cost, but heat pumps are more than 3 times more efficient than generating heat directly. This could come close to bridging the gap in electric energy to diesel price.
I have looked into heat pumps. Both for my home as well as my chilli business. Even had a couple companies around ours to discuss it. I have no problem with initial outlay if it were going to actually achieve the results I need. Unfortunately that just wouldn't be the case, for either the house or my business.
@@ChilliChump Are the heat pump systems just not efficient enough to make up for the higher cost of electricity?
@@Clementinewoollysock yeah, especially during winter, when you need it most. And with current electricity prices it is even worse (the assessments were done when we first moved in).