Maximum Yield USA February/March 2020 | Page 30

Indoor growers in colder climates can benefit from heat generated by grow lights and use the excess warmth to save money. Eric Hopper explains how to recycle the heat and reduce costs in the process. A BETWEEN DUAL FLOWERING ROOMS by Eric Hopper 30 Maximum Yield ll indoor gardens are unique. However, there is one thing most indoor gardens have in common: excess heat. The artificial lighting systems are notorious for emitting a lot of heat. To combat the excess heat, many growers employ mechanical devices, such as air conditioners or fans, to help keep temperature and humidity within the desired range. Even modern horticultural lighting systems, which are more efficient at converting electricity into usable light, emit enough warmth to create excess heat issues for growers. Depending on the geographical location of the garden, some horticulturists get a break from battling the excess heat during the winter months. These growers can take advantage of the cold air outside and draw it into the grow space to effectively cool the environment. However, growers who live in cooler climates may experience a different form of inefficiency as they use electric or gas heaters to maintain the proper temperature in the garden when the lights are off. Though heat is generally viewed as waste by indoor horticulturists, there are times when that heat can be recycled to maximize the overall efficiency of the garden.