Greenhouse climate system design begins with a clear understanding of both external environmental conditions and the internal climate required for optimal crop performance. As production systems become more specialized, growers are increasingly relying on HVAC solutions tailored to specific crops, geographic regions, and facility designs.
One key challenge is managing temperature differentials between day and night. Cooling is not only a daytime requirement; many crops require active night-time cooling to maintain temperature differentials that support physiological processes such as fruit set. Managing these temperature shifts efficiently can be particularly challenging in colder climates, where heating and dehumidification systems may operate independently.
Rising energy costs remain one of the most significant concerns for greenhouse operators. Inefficiencies of older systems, combined with increasing maintenance and operating costs, are prompting many growers to evaluate system upgrades.
Many growers are adopting more targeted heating strategies to improve temperature uniformity while reducing fuel consumption. Recent extreme winter conditions have also exposed vulnerabilities in system redundancy and the lack of dedicated snowmelt capabilities in some facilities, according to Jim Rearden, CEO of BioTherm Solutions.
Read more at Greenhouse Grower
