How to decipher heat loss and greenhouse R-value

Hundreds of new small farmers are entering the industry every year, each serving a unique community and solving unique problems. Many of those problems are related to energy – the lack of it, the need for more sustainable sources, and the need for more energy-efficient growing systems.

Some farmers have chosen to solve those problems with solar energy. Researchers like Lindsey Schiller and Marc Plinke are there to fuel those solutions. The two recently published a book on building and outfitting solar-powered greenhouses. Today we get a peek as they explain a key metric for heating.

One of the main challenges that greenhouse farmers have to face is heating. If you live in a place that dips out of the ideal temperature range for your crops, then you’ve probably faced this issue yourself. And anyone who has begun to look into heating their greenhouse has come across the term, “R-Value”.

A greenhouse’s R-value is key to measuring the heat needs of your greenhouse and choosing materials that allow you to heat the greenhouse efficiently. Read on for an explanation of R-values, heat loss, and glazing (light-transmitting) materials that balance the two.

Read more at Upstart University