Selecting the right heating option for your greenhouse can seem daunting. You want to be sure you’re staying within your budget but not restricting your ability to develop and expand your business and growing operations. What factors should you consider when you’re ready to buy a heating system?
- Know your current size and heating needs and try to anticipate future growth
Biomass boilers are most common in large-scale greenhouses. Most biomass systems are installed in operations that are 10-acres or larger, says Gene Zebley, renewable energy system sales for Hurst Boiler. Larger facilities can absorb the upfront cost and accept a return on investment (ROI) that stretches for five or six years.
“There have been some smaller greenhouses that have gone to them but the majority of applications have been for larger facilities, places where the fuel cost is such a huge part of their operating cost that the ROI is acceptable to them,” Zebley says.
- Know your environment
Biomass burns much slower than petroleum fuels, making it slower to react to heat load swings, Zebley says. Natural gas and oil systems make quicker adjustments whichmight make them a more appealing option for smaller operations.
For larger operations, or facilities that have a subsidy or upfront capital for biomass, growers can add a large heat sink or water tank. The biomass boilers can then heat the tank and allow individual houses to draw heat from the tank as needed.
- Know your fuel source (and know what subsidies for which you qualify)
One of the biggest challenges for biomass boilers is procuring the fuel source. If growers have a nearby source, it will likely shorten their projected return on investment and make the biomass boiler appealing. If growers don’t have a nearby biomass source, they’ll need biomass shipped in.
“In some cases, because of the transportation costs, biomass boilers can only produce a commercially acceptable ROI when subsidies are offered,” Zebley says.
In areas where natural gas is available, biomass boilers are less popular. The relative affordability of natural gas-- and ease of procurement-- makes it an appealing option where applicable. Depending on availability, biomass might be more suitable for growers using Number Two oil.
“We have several installations in Canada and the Northern United States that have converted to biomass because they were able to get good payback and return on their investment. They were using Number Two oil, but it wasn’t cost-effective because of their isolation and location away from pipelines,” Zebley says.
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