There are 2 kinds of fans needed for climate control in the greenhouse. These fans use little electricity. For only a few pennies a day, you can create a healthy greenhouse environment.
1. Air Circulation:
It is important to have a fan to circulate air through the foliage of plants, 24 hours a day, every day that you have plants inside your greenhouse. This brings a fresh supply of needed carbon dioxide to the leaves. Air circulation also prevents diseases that like to start in areas of cold and stagnant air. This will also help with condensation inside your greenhouse; the better the air circulation the less condensation as well as reducing or eliminating hot and cold areas in your greenhouse. It is best to angle the fan up or down to help break up any heat stratification that has taken place.
2. Heat Destratification:
In any enclosed space, particularly greenhouses, warm air naturally rises and accumulates near the ceiling, while cooler, denser air settles near the floor. This creates a temperature gradient known as stratification, where plants and growing areas on the lower levels receive less warmth, especially during colder months. To counteract this effect, heat destratification systems are used.
A small, strategically placed fan is typically installed near the ceiling to pull the warm air downward and redistribute it evenly throughout the space. This circulation ensures that the entire growing environment maintains a more uniform temperature, which is critical for plant health and consistent growth.
Heat destratification is especially important during the winter, when heating costs can be significant. By redistributing the existing warm air rather than constantly producing more heat, growers can significantly reduce energy consumption and heating expenses. Additionally, maintaining even temperatures can help prevent plant stress, reduce disease risk, and improve overall greenhouse efficiency.
What Size Circulation Fan Do I Need?
1. Greenhouse area x 10 = fan cfm.
- Example: 8′ x 12′ = 96 sq. ft. x 10 = 960 cfm.
2. If your greenhouse if half full of plants, deduct 50% (960 x .5 = 480 cfm).
3. If your greenhouse is very full of plants, add 50% (960 x 1.5 = 1440 cfm).
See our Air Circulation Solutions.
