Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 11:52:46 PDT From: "R B" <eklaab@hotmail.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg3089$foo@default> Subject: Re: Greenhouses
Susan Farrington wrote:
>While poly film isn't the best for insulation, it IS cheap, and you can
use two layers, inflated with an inflating fan. The air space between the
layers helps considerably for insulation. I've been using a 12 x 12 poly
house (from Gardeners Supply) for five years now, and I love it.
Thanks for the info. Clearly, the intial costs of a greenhouse using
polythene film is cheaper, and you can have a larger greenhouse. However, I
would like to take into account the overall costs including the maintainence
and operating costs. For instance, polycarbonate has a 10-year warranty.
The polythene film has to be replaced more frequently, and you have to run a
blower 24 hours/365 days a year to keep the space in between the double
layers inflated. I'd be interested to see what your electric bill is (if you
don't want to post it to the list, you can
send it to me via email). The blower probably won't last 10 years running
continously, so you may have to purchase replacement blowers over this
period. Also, I haven't seen any numbers on the insulation capability of a
double polythene film vs polycarbonate. If the insulation of the double
polythene film is not as good, then your heating and cooling equipment are
working harder, which further increases your electric bill.
Ron
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