Greenhouse Energy
Consumption

10 Ways to Lower Your Spring Heating Bill and Save Money - pdf.  An article from the December 2005 issue of GMPRO magazine by Erik Runkle, Michigan State University.  This article discusses ten production strategies for growing crops more efficiently and reducing energy consumption. 

Individual Greenhouse Energy Conservation Checklist - pdf., by A.J. Both, Rutgers University, and Paul Fisher, University of New Hampshire.  This 3-page document includes a checklist for greenhouse operations for evaluating energy conservation in their business.  Also included are calculations for determining heat loss based on greenhouse structure and location. 

Virtual Grower.  A decision support tool for greenhouse growers provided by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.  Users of this free software can build a virtual greenhouse with a variety of styles and materials for roofs and sidewalls, schedule temperature set points throughout the year, and predict heating costs for over 230 locations within the U.S. Click here to download software.

Greenhouse Alert on Energy Savings, multiple articles by the Floriculture Area of ExpertiseTeam at Michigan State University 

Biomass Energy and Funding Resources for MI Greenhouses, a presentation delivered at the 2005 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo by Dulcey Simpkins, Michigan Biomass Energy Program 

Greenhouse Energy Efficiency, a presentation by Scott Sanford, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Reducing Natural Gas/Propane Use for Greenhouse Heating, by Scott Sanford, University of Wisconsin.  This four-page document discusses strategies to minimize heat loss and maximize heating systems, as well as considerations for greenhouse space use efficiency.

Greenhouse Energy Conservation Checklist, by John W. Bartok, Jr., the University of Connecticut 

Greenhouse Energy Conservation, an excerpt from the book Greenhouse Gardener's Companion by Shane Smith 

Greenhouse Energy Conservation and Alternatives, a short book chapter from Introduction to Controlled Environment Agriculture and Hydroponics, by Patricia Rorabaugh, Merle Jensen, and Gene Giacomelli, the University of Arizona  

Energy Conservation for Greenhouse Growers, by David Tatum and Jimmy Bonner, Mississippi State University  

  Copyright © 2006
  Department of Horticulture
  Michigan State University
  Please send your comments to Ms. Sandy Allen allens@msu.edu

  This page was last edited in 07/30/08 .