FAQ: Greenhouse Environmental Control Systems
As energy and labor costs continue to rise, greenhouse and high tunnel growers are increasingly interested in automating their heating, cooling and ventilation with environmental control systems. An environmental controller can help growers maximize efficiency, conserve energy and optimize plant growth. Here are some of the most common questions that we get from growers that are looking to implement or upgrade their environmental controls system, which will ultimately lead to more revenue per square foot.
What are the different types of greenhouse climate control systems available?
There are many types of environmental controllers for high tunnels and greenhouses, ranging from simple to sophisticated. A simple thermostat system is an inexpensive way to turn on and off equipment such as fans and a heater based on temperature. The next step up would be a controller that can motorize and automate your roll-up sides based on time or temperature.
Finally, a more advanced method would be a digital environmental controls system that can manage all your equipment from a central unit. These controllers have setpoints for individual pieces of equipment based on time, temperature and humidity. They can also capture information so you can look back and make data-driven decisions about your greenhouse management, modifying setpoints accordingly.
What equipment can be controlled?
Greenhouse controllers can manage a variety of equipment, including roll-up sides, vents, heaters, fans, shutters, shade curtains, CO2 systems, fogging systems, hydronic heat systems, and irrigation. Different controllers are better suited to manage different equipment; the experts at Rimol Greenhouses can get you set up with the right controller depending on what systems you are looking to manage.
Do I need to have power in my greenhouse to use a digital environmental controller?
Yes, you do need to have electricity in your greenhouse to connect an environmental controls system. However, some controllers can be solar powered if you are looking for an off-the-grid solution. Solar powered controllers run off of low voltage power.
Do I need to have Wi-Fi in my greenhouse to use an environmental controller?
Most greenhouse environmental controllers do not require Wi-Fi to work. However, some controllers offer additional features such as over-the-air updates and mobile app connectivity if you are able to access Wi-Fi in your greenhouse.
Can I use my phone to control the greenhouse systems?
Some controls systems offer a mobile application to allow you to control equipment remotely from your phone, tablet or computer. This can be useful for large greenhouse ranges, operations such a schools where someone may not always be physically onsite, or small operations where labor availability is limited. Having mobile capability also provides alarms, such as a loss of power or heat. There is typically a monthly subscription fee for mobile app connectivity.
How much does a greenhouse environmental controller cost?
There are many different environmental controls systems and configurations available to meet every budget. Digital environmental controllers start at around $1,500 to $2,000 for a simple system to manage a few pieces of equipment, rising in cost as the systems offer more complexity and features.
How can investing in an environmental controller pay off?
The major payoff will be in energy savings. Simply overheating a greenhouse by a single degree can cost thousands of dollars in wasted energy. A digital controller can adjust greenhouse temperatures based on solar gain, outdoor temperature, time of day, energy demand and other factors. This will not only reduce energy usage, but can also increase yields and ultimately make more money for the business. Investing in a controls system can also pay off by reducing labor costs.
What happens when the power goes out?
Your environmental controller will not work if there is a power outage, unless you have a generator. However, all major control systems use a memory backup to store grower settings, which is not dependent on power. When the power comes back on, everything returns to a normal start-up mode and the grower settings can be quickly restored.
How do I install a greenhouse environmental controller?
Your controls manufacturer will provide instructions and, if needed, a wiring diagram for installing your greenhouse controller. Some systems are a simple plug-and-play, while others may require you to hire an electrician to help with installation. Your Rimol sales representative can help you prepare for a smooth installation process.
How do I know which controller to use?
The experts at Rimol can help set you up with the right environmental controller. There are many different options depending on your budget, what equipment you would like to control, and the time and labor that you have available to dedicate to managing the controls.
Get in touch with the Rimol team today to discuss adding an environmental controller to your greenhouse or upgrading your existing controls system.