Many gardeners want to grow vegetables and herbs in their beds all year round. In order to do this, you need to install a good greenhouse. Quality greenhouses are made of polycarbonate. But in winter they require heating. The most popular among heaters are infrared with a thermostat.

Did you know? For the first time, IR heaters began to be used to warm up saunas in Switzerland.

A type of infrared heaters

It's no secret that warm air rises and cold air, respectively, goes down. Given this pattern, infrared lamps provide a uniform temperature distribution in greenhouses, lower the level of heat loss, which favorably affects plant growth.

By type of heating element

Depending on the power source, the heaters are divided into:

• electric heaters - they heat up not air, but objects located in the field of influence; do not dry the air; do not harm plants; do not emit anything; may act limitedly; the necessary temperature is regulated;
• gas - do not reduce the oxygen content; work autonomously; heating the surface onto which the reflector is directed; easy to install; explosive;
• fuel oil - work for a very long time; no need to control; non-explosive; very quickly heat nearby objects.

Important! To avoid drafts, experts recommend installing heaters under the windows of the greenhouse.

The form

Given the heating method, top or bottom, the following types of infrared devices are distinguished:

Emission range

Taking into account the range of infrared radiation, heaters are divided into:

• shortwave - the radiation range is 0.75–1.5 μm; they are used to heat large greenhouses;
• medium wave - a range of 1.5–5.6 microns, for medium-sized greenhouses;
• longwave - a range of 5.6–100 microns, used in small greenhouses.

Did you know? Infrared radiation increases the amount of melatonin in the blood — a hormone that is responsible for a healthy sleep and slows down the aging process.

Heating temperature

The following devices are distinguished by the degree of heating:

• low temperature - warm the surface to + 600 °;
• medium temperature - from + 600 ° to + 1000 °;
• high temperature - from + 1000 °.

The last two species are mainly used for heating large-sized greenhouses.

Choosing the best infrared heater

According to experts, the most optimal option for polycarbonate greenhouses are infrared ceiling heaters with a thermostat or film.

• Their advantages are that:
• heat necessary items;
• with the help of a thermostat it is possible to maintain a constant temperature and save energy;
• in large greenhouses, several heaters can be installed;
• carry out uniform soil heating;
• easy to install, convenient to use;
• You can create different temperature zones in one greenhouse.

Mounting method

These devices are so convenient and easy to use that they do not require installation by electricians.

Important! Using infrared heaters, you still need to install fans for better air circulation.

Each owner of a greenhouse can do this by strictly following the installation instructions, which is as follows:

• the heater is installed at a height of 1 m above ground level, because the higher it is from the surface, the greater the area of ​​exposure and lower the temperature;
• as seedlings grow, heaters must be raised so as not to disturb the original distance;
• it is best to install around the perimeter of the greenhouse for effective heating;
• the distance between the devices themselves should not exceed 1.5 m;
• the number of heaters depends on the size of the greenhouse;
• mounted like ordinary lights;
• the temperature controller is installed in the form of a switch.

The principle of operation of the IR heater for the greenhouse

• The main advantage of infrared heaters is:
• specifically warm the soil and plants;
• heating occurs according to the principle of solar heat - objects pick up the rays released by the device, and then return them to the room;
• thanks to the regulation of heating, the temperature is uniformly distributed;
• do not dry the air and do not violate the humidity of the air;
• work silently;
• Do not allow drafts.

Today, IR heaters are the most modern and effective system for heating the greenhouse all year round, thanks to which the germination of plants increases by 40%. And although they are more expensive than other types of heating devices, they only pay for this only drawback after 1-2 years of operation due to their positive qualities.