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Jun 15, 2014 12:44 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
I can get deals on used Propane Patio Heaters right now. I guess while it's 99º here, people don't want heaters taking up precious garage space. I am thinking of using propane heaters in the new greenhouse during our occasional freezes. I have electric heaters. But if we lose power, we'll be out of luck. Anyone have any hints on using these? How long would a propane tank last? All night? Is it expensive to use compared to electricity? There is a smaller table top heater that uses 1lb canisters. Would it be overkill to have two in the 10 x 12 GH? Heat rises. How does the patio heat work to keep the floor level plants warm? TIA
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Jun 16, 2014 12:33 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Comments? Suggestions?
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Jun 16, 2014 6:37 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Hi Cheryl -- I'm in a vastly different climate than you are, but since no one else has chimed in here I thought I might as well tell you what I know (which probably isn't much, as far as being relevant to your situation). I use a ventless propane heater in the spring, when I move my seedlings from indoors (under fluorescent lights) to the GH. A 20-lb tank of propane pretty much lasts for what I need, since I try not to put too much outside until our temps get pretty well settled to staying above freezing at night.

That said, my heater isn't a "patio" type of heater -- do they have any sort of instructions about using or not using in enclosed areas? My feeling is that they are made to use outdoors, where carbon monoxide wouldn't be an issue, but I don't know that for sure. And I'm kind of doubtful that a 1-lb cylinder would last long for heating a 10x12' GH, even if you only need to raise the temp a few degrees.

Again, I'm not sure about any of that... but I would definitely research the issue of using whatever you purchase in an enclosed area. I hope someone else will have some more definitive answers for you!
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Jun 16, 2014 6:57 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
This is the type of heater that I have -- I believe I have the 6000 btu one, although possibly the 10,000.

http://www.globalindustrial.co...
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Jun 17, 2014 7:32 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Thanks for mentioning the CO! Good point! I let the used OUTDOOR heaters go. I will look for ones more like you've mentioned.
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Jun 18, 2014 5:52 PM CST
Name: James
Fabens,TX (Zone 8a)
Greenhouse Hibiscus Plumerias Roses
The one I have in mine is similar to Sandy B's, but I got mine at Lowes. It will use Propane or natural gas. When I got it the price was around 179.00 don't know about now days. but they work well.
Avatar for cycadjungle
Jul 27, 2014 7:45 AM CST
Lakeland Florida (Zone 9a)
Bromeliad Seller of Garden Stuff Vegetable Grower Tropicals Seed Starter Pollen collector
Native Plants and Wildflowers Region: Florida Container Gardener Cat Lover Cactus and Succulents Xeriscape
I have used propane heaters to heat the greenhouses for 25 years. I have small 18000 btu heaters that are about a foot tall and 8 inches wide. I have been told these are used by painters up north when it gets too cold that paint doesn't stick to the walls. One that size heats a 49x36x12 greenhouse with no problem, so you know you can do it for a lot less with a 12x12. A single tank of propane will last about 20 hours with this heater.
Hot air rises, but it also sinks as it gets cooler. It circulates on it's own, but if you want to bring that heat down faster than it will naturally, something like a ceiling fan pulling down the heat would help, but as I said, it is not needed. I just posted what I am heating a 12x12 greenhouse with in another thread. There are all sorts of ways to heat something that small. Dripping water from the house. Covering the floor with brick that will radiate heat during the night. Black barrels full of water that can be used as legs of a table that could hold plants above them. A pile of breaking down mulch ( I don't suggest this) will not only produce great but will also generate more Co2 as well. I bet you could get away with 1000 BTUs or maybe even slightly less, depending on the quality of the materials your greenhouse is made of and what lows you get and duration below freezing you experience. Tom
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Jul 31, 2014 3:55 AM CST
Name: Melissa
Memphis, TN (Zone 8a)
Bee Lover Enjoys or suffers hot summers Permaculture Orchids Hummingbirder Hostas
Greenhouse Dog Lover Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: Tennessee
Hi Cheryl,

We used a single head outdoor propane heater as backup for the past 5 years. Hubby modified the valve setting to super low because they heat FAST and hot in a small area (8x11x9). We averaged 60 hours per 20lb tank at a temp of 55F.

Humidity will be an issue because these dry out everything. But they work well and are fairly cost efficient. $18 for refill, $50 for the single head, $59 for the tank deposit.
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