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Ben Peters
Technical Accountmanager | June 13, 2023 | 8 min. reading

Saved energy costs

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Reduced risk for molds and diseases

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Improved plant growth, yield and quality

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Accurate control by greenhouse climate systems

The air flow in a greenhouse is of upmost importance for the uniformity of the crop. With a (partially) closed greenhouse, ventilation in the greenhouse is limited, which means that the temperature and humidity often differ from each other. Greenhouse fans are used to keep the air flow at a constant level and to create climate equality. Using fans ensures air flows that result in a stable temperature and humidity. Without air flow, the crop dries less well, giving molds a chance to develop resulting into crop damage. However, a high humidity can still occur in the greenhouse. A Drygair greenhouse dehumidifier, helps to create equal climate conditions inside the greenhouse by dehumidifying. Although a Drygair also creates air flow, a Drygair dehumidifies the greenhouse without affecting the temperature in the greenhouse. Consequently, humidity level drops, while moisture deficit will increase. No energy is lost because with this energy the Drygair can heat the greenhouse and the withdrawn water can be used as process water. In this way, a stable climate within your greenhouse will be realized. To learn more about the exceptional benefits of Drygair greenhouse dehumidifiers and how they contribute to maintaining a favorable greenhouse climate, explore our detailed information on the topic. Discover how Drygair can help you achieve optimal greenhouse climate control and foster an environment conducive to the growth and success of your crops. 

Maintaining an optimal greenhouse climate is paramount for ensuring uniformity and maximizing crop quality. In a greenhouse with limited ventilation, achieving consistent temperature and humidity levels can be challenging. This is where greenhouse fans play a crucial role in promoting airflow and creating an equalized climate. The significance of proper airflow cannot be overstated, as it aids in effective crop drying, preventing the development of molds and minimizing potential crop damage. Nonetheless, even with maintaining airflow, high humidity can still persist within the greenhouse. Enter the Drygair greenhouse dehumidifier, offering an effective solution to establish optimal climate conditions. This exceptional dehumidifier not only enhances airflow but also adeptly reduces humidity levels without impacting greenhouse temperature. Hence, humidity decreases while the moisture deficit increases. A Drygair unit allows for the realization of a stable and controlled climate within your greenhouse.

Various greenhouse heating systems are used in horticulture to create the right greenhouse temperature. In closed greenhouse systems the central heating system is regularly used. A central heating system can be used in several ways: ground heating, bed heating, crop heating, greenhouse air heating and table heating. Besides a central heating system you can also use hot air heating by means of greenhouse heaters (hot air) and electric heating by means of heating mats. Moreover, in recent years the use of a CHP installation has increasingly become the standard. This installation also contributes to heat and energy that can be used in the greenhouse.

The greenhouse temperature is very important because it influences the speed at which the crop develops. That temperature is often the temperature that professional growers measure and control. However, the plant temperature can differ from the air temperature and can be much lower. This can have many different causes, such as high light radiation, low humidity or external factors such as cold outside air and sunlight. By constantly measuring the plant temperature with a PT meter, you can prevent overheating, wet plants, flowers and/or fruit by continuously measuring the climate conditions in the greenhouse. Ultimately, this results in optimal growth with the advantages of saving energy and reducing the risk of fungi forming. Finally, insulation films contribute by creating the right greenhouse climate. Insulating films are mainly used in the cold winter months and save energy. Insulating foil is used at the top of the greenhouse or on the facade of the greenhouse.

Keeping your small greenhouse heated, in a cost-effective way, is key to the quality of your plants. A greenhouse heater is needed for the indoor temperature and for the plant care during winter. Here are some tips for heating a small greenhouse. You need to know how the weather outside is. If the daytime outdoor temperature is okay, it may be harder to regulate the greenhouse temperature with a huge heater. A factor to know which heater and where you should place a heater is to know the size and the shape of your greenhouse. But what type of small heaters are best for a small greenhouse? Our specialist Ben Peters would like to answer your question. 

In addition to the air flow in the greenhouse, the amount of light, also known as light intensity, has a major influence on the greenhouse climate and thus on the growth of the crop. This is because light is an important part of the plant's photosynthesis and thus its growth. That is why it is very important to maintain and control the light intensity in the greenhouse. In addition to light irradiation, light also produces heat, which influences the greenhouse temperature. Screens, PAR sensors and screen installations enable you to maintain the amount of light in the greenhouse. Use a PAR sensor to measure the amount of natural sunlight or artificial light in the greenhouse. Too much or too little light? Chalk agents and diffuse coatings have been specially developed to support plants in their growth. Too much light leads to stress and burning in some crops. These crops do not benefit from high temperatures, so applying a chalk coating to the greenhouse deck is the solution. Although too much light leads to stress and burning, a lack of sunlight can lead to reduced growth. Diffuse coatings scatter the light over a larger surface area, so that the light also reaches between and under the crop. At the end of the cultivation period it is very important to thoroughly clean the greenhouse cover again. In this way you ensure that the new crop benefits from the maximum amount of light.

Although chalk, diffuse coating and excellent cleaning of the greenhouse deck ensure the optimum amount of growing light, growing light is not always immediately available. That is why growers are increasingly using artificial supplemental lighting with the aid of assimilation lamps. Using assimilation lamps, you can determine the desired amount of supplemental light and heat radiation yourself.

Climate equality in the greenhouse will only be achieved when all the important processes are geared to one another. All components must be optimally balanced to create the optimum greenhouse climate. Whether it concerns watering systems, harvesting products, heating systems, energy management or the realization of the optimal greenhouse climate. Using Priva's process computers, you are able to fine-tune all the systems in the greenhouse. Depending on your crop, location, size and company, you can opt for various climate automation software. The Priva measurement boxes allow you to measure various values in the greenhouse. In addition to the measurement box, various plant sensors are also available to further expand the measurement data. You are able to link all the data together, so you are no longer dependent on coincidence and have a complete overview of all the processes that take place in the greenhouse. Priva's solutions contribute to energy, water and nutrient savings, enabling users to make savings and make adjustments where possible. 

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