Articles Published on eXtension Farm Energy site
- Introduction to Greenhouse Efficiency and Energy Conservation
- Combat Higher Fuel Prices with Efficient Heating Systems
- Fuels and Alternate Heat Sources for Commercial Greenhouses
- Geothermal Heat for Greenhouses
- Greenhouse Efficiency and Conservation Case Studies
- Greenhouse Energy Conservation Checklist
- Greenhouse Ventilation
- High Tunnels - Low Cost Seasonal Growing Space
- Horizontal Air Flow is Best for Greenhouse Air Circulation
- Insulation Know-How
- Natural Ventilation in High Tunnels
- Root Zone Heating Systems for Greenhouses
- Selecting and Maintaining Greenhouse Thermostats
- Shell Corn as a Fuel for Greenhouse Heat
- Wood Heat for Greenhouses
Strategies and Checklists
- Greenhouse Energy Conservation Checklist by John Bartok, Univ. of Connecticut agricultural engineer emeritus. A brief but comprehensive summary of steps growers can take to reduce greenhouse energy use.
- Top 10 Things a Greenhouse Grower Can Do To Improve Energy Efficiency Penn State University fact sheet. (2010)
- Greenhouse Energy Cost Reduction Strategies. PDF files compiled on Michigan State University Website from various sources.
Construction and Comprehensive Greenhouse Guides
- Virtual Grower, from USDA, is a decision support tool for greenhouse growers. Using this downloaded software, you can "virtually" build a greenhouse with a variety of materials for roofs and sidewalls, design the greenhouse style, schedule temperature set points throughout the year, and predict heating costs for over 230 sites within the US. Different heating and scheduling scenarios can be predicted with few inputs.
- Greenhouse Engineering. Available from NRAES: Natural Resource, Agricultural and Engineering Service for $30. This 212 page printed manual, NRAES-33, contains current information needed to plan, construct, and control the commercial greenhouse. Describes various structures, methods of materials handling, the greenhouse environment, and energy conservation. Includes conversion tables, worksheets for performing calculations, and sources of greenhouse construction materials and contractors. (1994)
- High Tunnel Presentations and Publications. Penn State Center for Plasticulture. Research, crop specific articles, images, high tunnel construction, etc.
- Solar Greenhouses by Barbara Bellows, updated by K. Adam, NCAT Agriculture Specialists. ATTRA Publication #IP142, 2008. Discussion of basic principles of solar greenhouse design, and construction options. Books, articles and Web sites, and computer software relevant to solar greenhouse design are all provided in a resource list.
High Tunnels
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eOrganic Resources:
- Introduction to High Tunnels. Kristin Pool, Oregon State University and Alex Stone, Oregon State University.
- Siting High Tunnels. Kristin Pool, Oregon State University and Alex Stone, Oregon State University.
- Low Cost High Tunnel Construction. Tim Coolong, University of Kentucky.
- High Tunnel Production and Low Cost Tunnel Construction Webinar.
- High Tunnel Materials. Kristin Pool, Oregon State University and Alex Stone, Oregon State University.
- High Tunnels: Using Low Cost Technology to Increase Yields, Improve Quality, and Extend the Growing Season. Manual and DVD. Written by Ted Blomgren of Cornell Cooperative Extension and Tracy Frisch of the Regional Farm and Food Project, with Pennsylvania farmer Steve Moore. Funded by Northeast SARE. Published by the University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
- hightunnels.org - USDA-sponsored project that is testing and promoting high tunnel systems in the Central Great Plains. For growers and educators; a one-stop source of information on all aspects of high tunnel construction and use.
- Dealing with the High Cost of Energy for Greenhouse Operations Fact sheet by Joyce G. Latimer, Extension Specialist, Greenhouse Crops, Virginia Tech. 2001.
- Seasonal High Tunnels In New Hampshire. Information related to EQIP financial assistance program from NH NRCS.
Crop Production in High Tunnels
High Tunnel Crop Production Project. Mississippi State University Extension Service. 2010.
- High Tunnel Tomato Production. University of Missouri Extension.
- Year Round Production in a Passive Solar Greenhouse Slide presentation by Steve Moore, North Carolina State University
Geothermal Heating
Greenhouse Efficiency and Conservation Case Studies
Miscellaneous Resources related to Greenhouse Energy
- Energy Cost Comparison Charts. Penn State Cooperative Extension. This Energy Calculator is a user-friendly decision aid for easy comparison of the heating values available from any two energy sources.
- Greenhouse Condensation Control, Improving Air Circulation. Ohio State University fact sheet.
