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.