Draining moisture from your greenhouse is often more efficient with a closed screen than when the screen is open. The windows above a closed screen tend to be colder, which increases condensation on the glass. This is one of the surprising insights that stem from The New Cultivation.
During the regional assemblies of the program Greenhouse as Energy Source, Peter Geelen of Plantmonitoring.nl and Jan Voogt of Hoogendoorn Growth Management commented on applying these and other energy saving measures without additional investments.
More screen hours
According to the consultants, more screen hours can be achieved, than is commonly expected. With more screening, there is less heat loss, resulting in substantial savings in natural gas. Geelen says that tests have been done at several companies, and there was no evidence of increasing fungi with the screens closed.
Less minimum tube
Moisture control is one of the most difficult things in greenhouses, underline the consultants. Another energy-saving measure that growers can take at no additional cost, is to use less minimum tube.
Geelen: “With moisture, using a tube is not feasible. We recommend sufficient air movement in the crops. A relatively simple method is to run vertical fans just above the crop. There are now several solutions available for this kind of ventilation."
For more information please contact:
Marcel Janssen via m.janssen@spam-protectgroeiservice.nl
Herma Enthoven via h.enthoven@spam-protectgroeiservice.nl