If you’re interested in creating your greenhouse, you need the best heaters. These aren’t found in every department store or any hardware store. But their scarcity is certainly not a reason to make a rushed purchase. You can find greenhouse heaters that are made for your greenhouse, specifically for its size. Before you jump and buy your first heater, you need to ensure you have access to electricity. You also need to properly insulate your greenhouse. At this stage, you can make the most of any of the following greenhouse heating solutions.
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Best Overall
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Best for Small Greenhouses
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Best for Large Greenhouses
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3.5
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3.5
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3.5
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£26.95
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£28.08
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$143.14(-55%)
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02/18/2024 02:14 am GMT
Sunhouse (Dimplex Group) SHTTH2 Tubular Heater
This Sunhouse greenhouse heater is one that’s made to impress. It comes as a complete kit so that you don’t need to spend on any accessories to maintain a constant temperature for your plants. It includes a thermostat which tells it when to heat and when not to heat.
But this tubular heater also comes with mounting brackets. You can mount it anywhere around the greenhouse and even around the garage if you want to keep it frost-free. Now, most users recommend placing it on a wall. But you’d be smart to install it lower in the greenhouse as heat tends to rise and you might not get the higher temperature your plants need at a ground level otherwise.
With 8W nominal power, the tubular heater comes with IPX4 splashproof rating. No matter how many times you water your plants, you can’t damage it. However, you should avoid installing it outdoors where it can be damaged by rain or snow.
Its tubular shape is also very practical. This tubular heater is very small due to its unusual shape. But its size doesn’t prevent it from heating small spaces and from keeping your plants alive even below freezing temperature if they have been properly insulated from the outside world.
- Made with a tubular shape
- 8W greenhouse heater
- Includes mounting accessories
- Small for large greenhouses
Dimplex ECOT2FT Tubular Heater
This low wattage tubular heater is another excellent choice for your greenhouse. Some even use it as window demisters so they can see their plants without getting it and letting all the warm air out. But you can install it yourself and use it through low temperature to keep your plants alive.
It comes in a 2-feet version and a 1-feet version. Since the greenhouse heater is already running on low watts, we recommend getting the 2-feet version as it’s going to be the most efficient at maintaining a reasonable temperature inside the greenhouse.
Mounting brackets are also included with the greenhouse heater. You need a screwdriver to install them on wooden frames. But you can also mount it directly on metal frames or windows with adhesive. Since it comes with IPX4 waterproof rating, it’s not going to get damaged by window mist.
- Easy to install
- Safe low-wattage design
- Available in different lengths
- Low power
Bio Green Electric Fan Heater Palma Digital
If you need a bit more power, you can always consider the Bio Green Electric Palma heater. This large heater is capable of delivering true heat, not only to prevent frost formation. It comes with a practical remote control where you can set the desired temperature.
With a power output of 2000W, this Palma heater comes with the capacity to heat conservatories with a surface of up to 8’ x 10’. This makes it the most capable option on our list and one of the few true tools which are going to help you grow plants and vegetables through the winter. It can even be seen as one of the top tools for larger greenhouses as you can always purchase 2 of these.
Air movement is ensured by a large fan found inside the greenhouse heater. Up to 400 m3 warm air is circulated every hour which means this tool can even be a bit too powerful for small conservatories where you’ll need to set a lower safer temperature.
- Made from metal
- It uses a large fan
- Great for large conservatories
- It needs a UK plug adapter
Bio Green PAL 2.0/GB 2KW Palma Heater with Digital Thermostat
If you only plan to use your heater locally, you can spend a bit more and get a custom-fitted Bio Green Pal greenhouse heater. This version already comes with a UK adapter and it can be very easy to operate.
Its nominal power of 2.0KW makes it a highly efficient heating solution and one of the best tools in its class with a long power cable. It comes with a power cord of nearly 2m which means it easily covers small greenhouse dimensions. With the help of an included fan, this heater also ensures there are no cold air pockets in your greenhouse, which can only benefit plant growth further.
- Made with a UK plug
- It uses a fan for air circulation
- Made with IPX4 sealing
- 5-degrees minimum temperature
How to choose the best greenhouse heaters
When you only want a best greenhouse heater, you need to understand there are thousands of designs to choose from and that the choice at hand can be overwhelming. Some of them are specifically made for conservatories . Others are made for regular home use. Some heating solutions are even made for outdoor use and people successfully adapt them to greenhouses.
But there are plenty of other interesting heating solutions you can consider. Solar and petrol heaters are viable options in some parts of the world. If you don’t have electricity or access to a power generator, you might be looking for such alternatives. This buying guide has the role of informing you of everything you need to get started with a greenhouse heater.
What is a greenhouse heater?
The size of the greenhouse is an important element in your overall attempt to raise the indoor temperature. If it’s too big, your small heater can struggle to raise the temperature even by 2 degrees. If it’s too small, your fan heater can dry all of the plants and vegetables inside.
The size of the standard greenhouse of 8’ x 10’ is the easiest to cover. It represents one of the most valuable designs in terms of only using 1 heater. Anything above this size might already require purchasing a second heater.
You should always check for the manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to greenhouse heater covered area. This can take a while to find as some of the heating solutions today are simply not made for conservatories and you need to compare its maximum heated area with the area of your greenhouse and even calculate how many extra heaters you’d need if the heater is simply underpowered.
Types of heaters
There are hundreds if not thousands of heating solutions you can adapt to conservatories . Today, many of them are made with a simple design which only works to maintain the temperature at an acceptable level, especially to prevent frost. Here are the main categories you should be choosing from.
Electrical heaters
Electrical heating solutions are the most popular solutions for the greenhouse. These come with direct power plugs which you need to connect directly to a wall plug or an extension cord. They can be very cheap to run as they have low wattage consumption. But you also need to keep an eye on them to ensure they’re on.
Some of their features can even allow your plants to die. For example, many of these electrical power heating solutions don’t automatically turn back on in case of a power outage. If there was a power outage in your house, you need to check and see if the heater needs to be switched on again.
But electrical heaters are the easiest to run for months through the winter. You don’t need to buy any petrol and you also don’t need to worry about burning all of the oxygen inside the conservatory. Available in all sizes with or without fans, these heating solutions are the cheapest and safest to run in the long term.
Gas heaters
If you’re considering gas heating solutions , you need to know not many of them are still made today. But if you live in a secluded area with no electricity, you still need to grow your plants, fruits, and vegetables. This is why you need to consider the options you have when it comes to gas heating solutions .
You need to purchase petrol which needs to be replenished in the gas tank. But as long as you watch the gas level, the conservatory should be fine. You might also want to consider opening the greenhouse’s door from time to time to allow oxygen to get it as these come with a real flame that burns oxygen.
Solar heaters
An even better solution for those into off-grid living is getting a solar heater. While it can be difficult to get sufficient sunlight in the winter, heating solutions might not need too much power to avoid frosting temperatures. You should prioritize the heating solutions with the largest solar panels as they have the best chances of truly raising the temperature inside the conservatory.
Installing these can be a bit more complicated than with others. The heater sits inside the greenhouse while the solar panel needs to sit outside. You should try to put the solar panel up on the conservatory or anywhere higher up the ground to simply avoid the snow from covering it completely. If there’s no snow in the area where you live, you can still install the solar panel directly on the ground as long as it gets direct sun exposure.
Consider greenhouse insulation
Regardless of the greenhouse heating solutions, you plan to use, there’s a stringent need to simply consider better greenhouse insulation. Even the best heating solutions can do little if you fail to insulate your greenhouse and prevent cold air from getting inside.
Silicone and rubber can be used to insulate glass conservatories. You can even use plastic film on PVC greenhouses. Multiple layers or multiple silicone applications might be needed for the best insulation. If you’re built your greenhouse at home, you also need to ensure there are no other areas where water or cold air can get through. The better the sealing, the less time the heater needs to raise the temperature inside.
If you have a very large greenhouse, we recommend one or multiple heating solutions with fans. These are excellent for air circulation. You might find there are many cold air pockets even in conservatories where there are multiple heating solutions . This is basically due to poor air circulation. You can find some of the best heating solutions today are recommended to be used with small fans or you can simply buy a hybrid heater that already comes with a fan.
Think about direct sunlight
Other aspects also influence just how much heat you need in your greenhouse. This means you can take direct sun exposure into account. If your greenhouse is blocked from 100% direct sunlight, you will need to raise the temperature of the heater considerably. During the night, considerable temperature drops might also require different temperature adjustments.
To avoid any possible accidents, you should measure the temperature inside at multiple times of day and night. This will give you a clear indication of how this temperature fluctuates. You can find that your heater might only need to be switched on during the night.
Consider your plants
Not all greens are made to resist temperatures of just above 0 degrees. Some might even be affected by the temperature that is too high, a common problem in conservatories where people use regular home heating solutions which add too much heat.
You can also consider a conservatory heater from above your home that is made to last for years. Your greens are seasonal. But heating solutions should be made to last for years. These heating solutions should be seen as a once in a lifetime purchase. You shouldn’t have to upgrade them, especially if they’re treated against corrosion or rust.
Final words
Some of these conservatory heating solutions have been adapted for other uses. You will see them in garages or even home gyms. But this is only a sign they truly work and you know you can count on them if they are reliable in larger spaces. But another reason for their popularity is their low price. For you, this means having more money to spend on plants than on the gear needed to grow these plants in the conservatory.
A tube heater with a digital thermostat or a precision thermostat can keep your conservatory warm. Other heat output options such as paraffin heaters aren’t as reliable. Frost protection is at its best with electric heating solutions that are thermostatically controlled for the best results in the winter months. Their heating element is splash-proof which isn’t the case with gas or parrafin heaters. Regardless of the season, fan tools can also work for heating conservatories. They also tend to be made from stainless steel and IPX4 rated.
Energy efficiency and running costs are lower on these as is temperature accuracy. But solid build quality and good temperature control, these tools with thermostats such as the Bio Green Palma above are the products which show the most benefits, even with tender plants. Steel construction and thermostat technology is seen on any of the options listed above and an electric heater from this list always proves superior to a gas heater or paraffin oil alternatives without an air circulation rate standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep a greenhouse warm in the winter?
You first need to insulate your greenhouse as good as possible. We recommend bubble wrap as an efficient and cheap solution for your conservatory. But you also need to consider extra insulation on moving parts such as the doors. You can use a thermometer to check the indoor temperature before installing a heater. A good tip is to use raised beds as much as possible. This is going to get your plants a bit higher up which is where the warm air tends to sit. Shelves and pots can also help if your growing small plants.
How can I heat my greenhouse without electricity?
You can use oil lamps, a paraffin heater, or solar-powered greenhouse lamps as those described in the categories above instead of an electric greenhouse heater. These don’t require any electricity and they can be considered for any home that is off-grid or for the conservatories that are too far away from the house to consider installing electricity in.
What is the best greenhouse heater?
Most users agree the Sunhouse SHTTH2 80W Low Energy Tubular Heater is the best. It comes with a small profile shaped like a pipe. It only adds sufficient thermal energy to the conservatory to avoid frosting temperatures. It has been reported to maintain constant 8-9 degree temperatures. For its size and affordability, this is truly impressive.
What temperature should I keep my greenhouse heater at?
For most plants, you should consider keeping your conservatory at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. This means you might need to purchase additional heating solutions or choose a large capacity heater that works with any temperatures through temperature adjustments.