When heating your greenhouse, there are many different options for a greenhouse heater, including different power sources: electric, natural gas (primarily methane), or liquefied petroleum (LP) gas. At Hotbox Heaters, we sell both gas and electric greenhouse heaters. But which one is the right option for you and your greenhouse?
Let’s go over the pros and cons of each type of greenhouse heater:
LP Gas Greenhouse Heaters
Liquefied petroleum (LP) gas is a fuel gas containing propane and butane. It is liquefied and stored in cylinders, making it ideal for mobile use or for outdoor heating.
Pros
- LP gas is a very efficient fuel, offering a lot more heat for your greenhouse. A gas heater is generally the most effective for heating a larger greenhouse.
- Using LP gas means you can supply your heater with gas in isolation. This means you don’t need to set up a gas supply to your greenhouse.
Cons
- Although the cost of LP gas has only risen slightly in 2022, the cost of transport and delivery have increased significantly.
- Using LP gas means having to replace the cylinder every 2 weeks or so to keep your heater running.
Natural Gas Greenhouse Heaters
Natural gas is a mixture of gases (primarily methane) that is supplied to homes directly via the mains.
Pros
- Using natural gas from the mains saves the trouble of replacing a gas cylinder every 2 weeks or so.
- Natural gas is the most affordable option, being cheaper than LP gas and electricity.
- In the event of a gas leak, methane is safer than LP gas as it is lighter and normally disperses.
Cons
- Although this saves you the bother of buying and replacing gas cylinders, using natural gas means you need to connect your greenhouse heater to the mains.
- Using natural gas still produces greenhouse emissions, it is not renewable, and it is not the most eco-friendly solution.
Electric Greenhouse Heaters
Pros
- Electric energy is exhaust free, meaning you don’t produce any carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide when heating your greenhouse. With renewable energy on the rise in the UK, making up 42.8% of the UK’s electricity generation at the end of 2021, you can count on electric energy for a greener greenhouse.
- Just like with natural gas, powering an electric heaters means you don’t have a gas cylinder to replace.
- Electric fan heaters improve circulation of the heat they produce and better control the temperature in your greenhouse, protecting against frost and cold weather.
- Fan heaters can also function as fans in the summer. Simply switch off the heat unit.
Cons
- Electric power is the most expensive option, costing more than natural gas or LP gas.
- Also like natural gas, an electric power supply requires an outlet. An electric greenhouse heater still needs plugging in.
We have a range of greenhouse heaters, all offering thermostatic control, no matter what type of energy source you choose. Have a browse and see which is best for you and your greenhouse.