January 2023 - 24

PRODUCTION
EFFICIENCY in Heating
BY JAMIE TUINSTRA
Thanks to their controlled environment,
greenhouses are the perfect solution for
keeping up with consumer demands and
growing crops in areas with inclement
weather. But with the boost in consumer
demands comes the desire to make
greenhouses more efficient.
Choosing the proper heating
solution can go a long way in creating
a more efficient greenhouse. There are
multiple heating options available for
greenhouses, including unit heaters. Unit
heaters can provide a permanent heating
source for greenhouses and an efficient
heating alternative. While helping
overall expense numbers, high-efficient
products can decrease CO2
emissions.
Overall maintenance also has a
positive effect on efficiency. It is
important for commercial greenhouses
to maintain regular heat during the
winter months to ensure great growing
conditions. If the unit heater isn't
properly maintained, it could result
in crop losses. Regular preventative
maintenance extends the life of the unit
and will improve efficiency due to the
unit operating at maximum capacity.
PROTECT HVAC COILS
WITH COATINGS
Protecting the overall integrity of
your greenhouse's HVAC unit is also
paramount for building an efficient
environment. This is especially important
for areas located along the coastline.
These areas are susceptible to corrosion
because of the increased moisture and
salt in the air, creating an increased
chance for HVAC systems to fail due to
corrosion. For existing HVAC units inside
your greenhouse, aftermarket protective
coatings are an excellent solution.
These coatings help reduce the
accelerated corrosion of HVAC coils
and components and can be applied
on-site after an HVAC unit has been
manufactured and installed.
BETTER EFFICIENCY FOR
YOUR GREENHOUSE
Having an efficient heating solution
coupled with preventative maintenance
will help increase the efficiency of
your greenhouse and offset operating
expenses. High-efficient unit heaters will
lower CO2
emissions and lower energy
costs. In addition, protective coatings
for coils will keep HVAC units operating
properly while maintaining efficiency.
Jamie Tuinstra has been in the
heating and cooling industry for 25
years and is a product manager at
Modine Manufacturing.
embarked on a series of expansions and construction
modification projects aimed at one primary goal: efficiency.
While growers often target efficiency as a key goal for their
operations, for Emerald Coast Growers, it has been an
intentional, well-thought-out plan for their multi-location
business headquartered in Pensacola, Florida.
STREAMLINING OPERATIONS
More than 100,000 square feet of greenhouse space have
been added in just a few years. Recent innovations include a
seed house that puts the flat filler, Blackmore seed machine,
LED germination racks, stratification cooler and temperaturecontrolled
germination room under one roof. A monorail
connects all areas to the connected seed greenhouse where
seed trays are finished off before being sent out to ranges to
be dibbled into trays, allowing the majority of the work to be
carried out by a single grower. In addition, a consolidated soil
mixing facility increased efficiency and allowed easier custom
blending by crop.
While every improvement is advantageous, the most
A few years ago, Emerald Coast Growers consolidated their soil
mixing into one facility, increasing efficiency and allowing easier
custom blending by crop.
24
JANUARY 2023 GPNMAG.COM
recent endeavor is the one that has made the biggest
impact: the construction of a new shipping facility at its
Milton, Florida, location. The project included a new acre
of growing space, a 500-foot gathering headhouse and a
new 8,750-square-foot shipping warehouse. Over 4 acres
of the indoor growing space now feed directly into the
shipping point, and that entire facility is served by monorail
to facilitate product handling. A goal of the new shipping
facility was to improve product flow into the shipping facility
and get as much of the nursery connected as possible.
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2023
