Greenhouse Heating - Installing a Heat Sink

[@theresalarson9416]

Such a cool looking greenhouse! Wish I could build like that. So beautiful!

[@terrafirma9328]

Cover the north side wall and floor with a black plastic during winter also absorbs more heat energy or reflective materials on that wall and floor directed back into the greenhouse and toward your heat sink. The more surface the more solar energy collected. Also consider black tubing with a reflective gutter behind it, you could also use a small pump in the water cans to cycle the water and gain even more heat. Many options. Just remember more surface area to charge it up it's a thermal water battery, which is also what some call it. Also at night a reflective blanket over the roof as a retractable cover also keeps heat in longer, even just a double clear layered roof with a 1 inch air gap, allows solar light/heat in and insulates with another air layer.

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks for the advice. I might try that after my Achilles heals up the rest of the way. Happy Gardening!

[@thisorthat7626]

I liked the contractor bags inside the trash cans. Keep it simple and keep it inexpensive. Nice work.

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks 👍

[@whatsupdoc3385]

I own a pool company and to extend the swim season we use black irrigation hose and a small water pump. Paint the back wall black. zigzag about 50-100 feet of black irrigation hose on it. Connect all your trash barrels with PVC. Put your water pump in one barrel and have the other end of the irrigation line dump into the other end of the barrels. The water will circulate back through all of the barrels. It will greatly increase the temp of the water through the day and will allow you to grow all year long. Have a client that uses this technique in KCMO and is able to swim 10 months out of the year, while outdoor temps are only above 70 for 4-5 months a year... Obviously their irrigation hoses are connected to the pool pump instead of trash cans, but it works the same way... I used it on a neighborhood pool system and they opened their pool a month early and kept it open a month later... If their budget had been higher they could have added at least a few more weeks on the front and back end for another month or more of swimming...

[@CMooreStarts]

Very interesting. I have been playing with solar pumps in my formal raised pond and have an extra mini-pump. I might just try that out. Just need a little extra time and a spare solar panel.

[@getintothewildwithjeffruma8777]

@whats up Doc I live very close to kc mo and your idea is amazing. Thank you 👍

[@CMooreStarts]

Sorry for the delay, KZbin wasn't showing the replies held for review.

[@tinyhouseatknottypines6754]

Great idea to keep the temperature bearable and warm enough for the greenhouse. Thanks for your video.

[@CMooreStarts]

You bet! Happy Gardening!

[@ralphchristianson]

I am new to greenhouses and this looks like an excellent idea to keep the seedlings alive...

[@CMooreStarts]

Keeps the greenhouse a lot warmer. You have to close up any holes where cold air can get in. Happy gardening!

[@kristinawhite7881]

Yes, it does.

[@Marylmac]

Basic, clear, concise and doable by the least of us. I wonder if you, me, could jump start the water in the barrels by heating up big old metal containers on an outside fire and tipping the heated water into the plastic ones? It would help a lot I think...but woluld have to get the right temp, so as not to have it too hot on the first nights then go down too far for the plants. Interesting thought.

[@CMooreStarts]

That's a good idea and would work in a pinch. I don't think the drop the next night would affect the plants too much.

[@theresam567]

That wouldn't help. My black trash cans get hot in the afternoons (100+ degrees outdoor heat) that I can't dip the dogs in to cool off, nor use to water plants. The next morning (60-70deg), water is cool again.

[@HDHhomestead]

Very good video. Thanks for your service.

[@CMooreStarts]

Thank you and Happy Gardening!

[@royhoco5748]

good idea, I think I would put a knee brace or leg to the ground in the middle of the shelf that holds the water buckets for extra support to strengthen the shelf.

[@CMooreStarts]

I thought about that and only have the extra containers in the corners. I put small starts in the middle.

[@littlenugs9942]

Got an idea. 15 gal. Black bucket that are stacked one on top of each other. Fill them all with water I bet you could do the whole side of your green house. Just like you did with the kitty litter buckets

[@CMooreStarts]

I tried to get a bunch of them at our local auction prior to COVID but got outbid. Happy Gardening!

[@littlenugs9942]

@@CMooreStarts yeah that sucks! Sorry to hear that. Peace be with you brother!

[@gardentours]

Great idea 👍 and you've proved that it works 👏

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks! It did get overwhelmed a couple weeks ago when our temps stayed in the lower 20's and we had no sun. I am waiting on a couple items to arrive and I will be putting in a 150 watt 12 volt solar and wind heating system. Received the high capacity battery yesterday.

[@keithreutter4253]

Like the idea. The only concern I have is , if uou have a bunch of cloudy days and cold temps would the water freeze? A friend of mine dsd use barrels filled with water for a long time back in the 70s to 90s and one winter they lost every black barrel due to freezing from extreme cold weather conditions. Split open and dumped all the water out. His newest greenhouse uses black barrels but added antifreeze to keep from freezing. Would that work better than just plain water?

[@CMooreStarts]

I almost had barrel split this winter. Clouds and temps that didn't go above 30 for 5 days. That is why I made this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPGaoudoLVlos0 . If I had starts in that greenhouse, I would have put my buddy heater in it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mafZdpaunaaZitE . Happy Gardening!

[@srmd86]

Nice video Chris! 😊

[@CMooreStarts]

Thank you!!

[@hitheresmile]

Thank you for your service!

[@CMooreStarts]

Thank you. Happy Gardening!

[@fromrussiawith4734]

So beautiful!

[@CMooreStarts]

Thank you! 😊

[@glenmiller8148]

Great videos!

[@CMooreStarts]

Thank you. Happy Gardening!

[@MervB1]

The South wall (in the northern hemisphere that would be northern) of my small greenhouse built from 3ltr milk containers filled with water. That gives me a nice thermal heat for the night. The outside of the wall is covered with sisolation so the heat is retained inside. This would work much better if I'd painted them black.

[@CMooreStarts]

I am guessing you are from down under? If so, I bet those milk containers work great for your climate. I've been in Newcastle, Freemantle, and Melbourne during the fall and winter and thought the weather was mild. I have to reseal the gaps in my re-purposed mahogany North wall before winter. I did put bubble insulation in my greenhouse garden shed. Happy Gardening!

[@AB-C1]

Good video mate, cheers from London England 👍😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🙏 Was thinking, You could have a small hot-compost bin/pile going in the corner or instead of the water keep the 4 barrels going with compost rotating em? that will generate some heat? And maybe one or two of those emergency DIY upturned plant pot burners with a DIY vegetable fat candle instead of Tealights, that will last 2-4 weeks burning evening and overnight should raise it another couple degrees at least I'd think? You guys have Crisco in America and Canada, I've seen loads of videos on making them using that or the equivalent and it's properly cheap where you are big jar filled to brim with that and a tall thin candle pushed down the centre, light it up stuck it under an upturned plant pot, instant cheap long burn greenhouse heater.. just an idea, probably cost you a few dollars a month but if you are harvesting lots of fruit and vegetables and keep em going for next season it's worth it I think.. Just an idea(you may have tried it already not sure?)

[@CMooreStarts]

I just recently found out when I visited Joe's greenhouse kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYbEkH6gaKybZpI on Saturday, just how much compost I would need and it's a lot. Cheers and Happy Gardening!

[@Lavender_Ave]

You could also add a couple vertical sopports for your horizontal shelf.

[@CMooreStarts]

Thought about that. Happy Gardening!

[@flyty2134]

I love it that works really nice thanks for sharing.

[@CMooreStarts]

You are so welcome. Happy Gardening!

[@3AholesMedia]

I use mulch compost, same concept but the mulch compost heats up naturally with or without sun.

[@CMooreStarts]

Nice. Happy Gardening!

[@reneebrown2968]

And compost as it breaks down will also provide plenty of carbon dioxide.

[@tbird9mm]

I had a huge problem with fungus gnats when I had compost in the greenhouse

[@kaminoshi713]

Pulling every little bit, heck yeah. You could also use any surface not covered by the containers to add reflective material to redirect energy away from wood material.

[@CMooreStarts]

I have some reflective bubble wrap insulation that I was thinking about putting on the ground in front of the containers to shine back up.

[@amyharris7337]

Great idea. Do you have them on the north wall?

[@CMooreStarts]

Yes, they are along the north wall. The Extremely cold week we had a couple weeks ago (highs in the mid 20's) along with no sun overwhelmed them. I plan on putting in a 12v 150w heater powered by solar and wind soon. Happy Gardening!

[@kevinbaker6168]

You can also put a layer of rigid foam on your north wall and stack cinder blocks against them, paint the blocks black, and put your water filled cans/barrels against the wall. This basically will give you a thermal heat sink that wall absorb and radiate heat back into the greenhouse. Another thing you can do is put a couple of layers of clear bubble wrap up against the roof and the south wall. This will allow sunlight to pass through while giving an insulating layer along those areas at night. Just make sure to leave an air gap so you don't have a problem with condensation on your glazing and other interior surfaces. That lead to fungus, mold, mildew or rot. Also you can put either a layer of black plastic or weed block material to the floor and use the ground to absorb and hold more heat.

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks, I did put some foam outside on the North Wall recently. Didn't see too much difference, maybe a degree or two. Those 2x4 mahogany planks are very insulating. Currently working on a solar/wind with a car heater, collecting data and should post a video shortly.

[@HomesteadHopeful]

What about painting that back wall black? I can’t believe just that gained you 5 degrees. Thanks for sharing

[@CMooreStarts]

It kept my peppers going. I just harvested a few jalapeno, cayenne, and habanero this weekend to put into a hot sweet n sour sauce. The plants are almost finished though. I don't know if I will be able to fully winter them over in that greenhouse.

[@HomesteadHopeful]

@@CMooreStarts The season extension is worth it!

[@modestoca25]

Black wall would get too hot in summer

[@videosrfun4me189]

use a couple of buckets of actual kitty litter instead of water ,to see if you get more heat from them vs water. maybe 50/50 wet litter. also place a foil or mylar reflector over them for low horizon sun gain. a solar powered fan at the roof blowing into a 3in pipe going down to the floor into a box placed under your barrels for much more heat collection.

[@CMooreStarts]

Good ideas. Luckily, we don't drop too much below freezing for long periods of time so the cans of water do the trick. As for kitty litter, the clay gets way too clumpy and sinks to the bottom. Once the litter container deteriorates, it is too hard to empty and clean to toss in the recycles. Happy Gardening!

[@jessetate6244]

Water has the highest heat capacity of any liquid. That is one of the factors that makes it such an incredible substance. Adding litter can only reduce the efficiency.

[@paulhadfield7909]

great video inspiring

[@CMooreStarts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rhondagillespie6031]

Great idea! Thank you

[@CMooreStarts]

You are so welcome! Happy Gardening!

[@marypatten9655]

Was thinking. Could use old waterhoses like they showed in the old mags ti make hot warer for the house only use them to fill you small pails at night. More work but hotter water.

[@CMooreStarts]

Interesting thanks. Happy Gardening!

[@infinity.1111]

Did you happen to also measure the temperature difference inside vs outside before moving the tubs of water in? So you know if they are actually helping? The greenhouse itself should store more heat than outside.

[@CMooreStarts]

Prior to putting in the heat sink, temps were between 1-2 degrees warmer than outside. With the heat sinks, fully charged, 10-15 degrees warmer in the evening and down to around 5 degrees warmer right before sunrise. Happy Gardening!

[@adversarysatan8059]

oh yeah right on the money.....gonna do it too!~!!!

[@CMooreStarts]

Great!!

[@ahmedmemon7756]

great. Very informative

[@CMooreStarts]

Hope it helps.

[@elroythegreat1590]

I have wanted to use a stock tank heater in my trash cans to supplement the sun. Do you think it would work?

[@CMooreStarts]

It might get too hot if the element touches the edge. I tried a very low voltage fish tank heater with solar and I only helped a little. Happy Gardening!

[@elroythegreat1590]

@@CMooreStarts Thanks for your response.

[@smshh33]

Awesome.

[@CMooreStarts]

Thank you. Happy Gardening!

[@alcmhs2011]

What are the dimensions to your greenhouse? I have a 6ft by 6ft with polycarb for walls and roof with a panel on the roof to lift for ventilation.

[@CMooreStarts]

10 x 8. I also have a 6x6, and in it, I use one trash can and several kitty litter containers. It is hard to seal the polycarb so drafts don't come in. Happy Gardening!

[@lindaoeder3336]

Another channel recommended adding fish tank heater

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks! Currently working on a solar/wind with a car heater, collecting data and should post a video shortly. I will look for a DC or USB tank heater to try out.

[@TheProCut17]

I need to get more water in my little greenhouse

[@CMooreStarts]

Happy Gardening!

[@noahsizemore1275]

I recommend filling it in the green house so you don't have to move all that wait

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks. Happy Gardening!

[@IDVDalot]

gREAT VIDEO. hOW IS IT THAT a guy in a Guns and Roses T shirts is only growing veggies and not " medication" ? LOL

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks. It would be frowned upon in my current job. I am all set up for when actual retirement rolls around. Happy Gardening!

[@tem_vremenem_v_kanade]

Why not paint the walls black too?

[@CMooreStarts]

Black walls would reduce light and make it way too hot in the spring and summer.

[@dennisjohnson7201]

Any mosquito problems from this?

[@CMooreStarts]

Having them in my other greenhouses, I haven't experienced any. The cans are covered and I put a half cup of bleach in them. It keeps the water fresh longer.

[@juliehorney995]

I understand that mosquito dunks (tablets) help deter mosquitos in open water.

[@paulchiass]

Hi you sooud paiting you wll black where you pot is,

[@CMooreStarts]

Thanks

[@joyceobeys6818]

In 20 degree temps that would only help 6 degrees warmer it looks like.

[@CMooreStarts]

True, it also depends on how much sun the barrels get the day or two before. Here in the Pacific NW, if it gets into the lower 20's, we usually have cold sunny days that will heat the barrels. I break out electric or propane heat if we have a cloudy day followed by a clear night that suddenly drops the temps. Happy Gardening!

[@joyceobeys6818]

@@CMooreStarts Yes we did that too. But we had to watch it n shut it off before we ran out of propane. It is a 30 gallon we use. Someone was showing to use a built in kerosene heater which might be better than propane. Our propane heater that attaches to the top gets pretty hot n used it up pretty quickly. We never leave it on. We don’t have a kerosene heater but I was thinking to get one. Or maybe a hobbit wood stove or tent wood stove.

[@djladydean]

Do you leave the lids on?

[@CMooreStarts]

Yes, I leave the lids on. It gives extra support to the trash cans.

[@CMooreStarts]

By the way, happy gardening and God Bless!

[@djladydean]

@@CMooreStarts Thank you! God bless you as well.

[@rickleegardner3805]

You really don't have a true heat reading for a few days till the water heats up from the Sun

[@CMooreStarts]

You are right. In fact here in the Pacific NW, it is extremely hard to get a true heat reading at all because of the weather changing so much. Cloudy one day, sunny the next, then a marine layer till noon the next day. Happy Gardening!

[@kendraball3151]

@@CMooreStarts, what was the temperature in the greenhouse before adding the water?

[@CMooreStarts]

Stayed steady with ambient at night until the barrels heated up during the day. I believe it was about 80-85 in the greenhouse when I was installing the barrels and had to open the vents to keep from sweating too much. Happy Gardening!

[@nickguthrie9309]

Others aiming for such good results, please check your met. office to see how many days give you cloudless hours in your winter seasons (Oct to Mar.). Also, do any of you know the ideal math relation between the surface area of your sun heat capture and the gallons of water needed to store that gained heat.

[@CMooreStarts]

I just strive to keep my plants from freezing. Here in the Pacific NW, we have very short days in the winter along with a lot of clouds. This year with La Nina more cloudy days than normal which makes for lower heat output from the barrels. Currently even with the cloudy days, it is keeping the temperature about 5 degrees above outside ambient temps. I should be doing my last pepper harvest of the year this week from the plants I put in the greenhouse. Happy Gardening!

[@kristinawhite7881]

Good Question; I think it has to do alot with " the angle " that winter solar heat REACHES INTO YOUR GREENHOUSE. CONSTRUCT YOUR ROOF ACCORDING TO YOUR MAXIMUM HOURS OF SUNLIGHT IN THE COLD OF WINTER TIME.

[@HDHhomestead]

Very good video. Thanks for your service.

[@CMooreStarts]

Thank you.