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Heater advice/recommendation

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by tenman, Sep 23, 2021.

  1. tenman

    tenman Well-Known Member

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    My fab Southern Burner heater has given up the ghost; no longer in business, parts unavailable, so I need a new backup heater in the greenhouse (Ohio, US) in case of main furnace failure or power outage. It must be around 25,000-30,000 BTU, work without electricity, ergo no fan. Needs to work from a standard thermostat connection or have its own thermostat, and come on automatically at the set temperature of ~55ºF. Any recommendations? The only thing I can find that looks like it might work is an unvented blu flame heater. Does anyone know if those are safe in an enclosed orchid greenhouse? There is a small 3" intake vent for the main heater, and currently an exhaust pipe from the Southern Burner which could be left as a fresh air vent as well if necessary. I would prefer a vented heater like the Southern Burner but can't seem to find one.
     
  2. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    I recommend that you avoid non-vented heaters. They might be acceptable at first, but in the long run, they get fouled and dump microscopic carbon into the air that deposits on everything.

    Both Modine and Reznor make separated combustion heaters (best for efficiency), but the lowest rating is about 30,000 BTU.

    if it is a backup heater, have you considered electric?
     
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  3. tenman

    tenman Well-Known Member

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    An electric heater will not be useful when the power is out. Our backup generator, as have the previous three, gave up the ghost after only two years and being used only two days. That's the single most crucial thing about this backup. no electricity required
     
  4. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Understood, Tennis.

    I used a Williams direct vented wall mounted heater as a backup, and ultimately used it for all heat. Used outside air for combustion, so didn’t suck the humidity out of the greenhouse.
     
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  5. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Ray, I have 3 Southern Burners and have made a note of your suggestion. Thanks.
     
  6. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    It is sad that supply chain issues put them out of business. They made some solid equipment.
     
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