MSU Extension Floriculture & Greenhouse Crop Production

A variety of technologies can be used to reduce greenhouse energy consumption, including retractable energy curtains, infra-red films, more efficient heaters and fans, etc.  Below are relevant articles grouped under several general topics -- some provide an overview of energy-saving startegies while others go in-depth on a particular topic.

Overview of Energy Conservation Measures

• Greenhouse Energy Conservation Strategies, a 16-page summary by Erik Runkle (Michigan State University) and A.J. Both (Rutgers University).
• Easy solutions - Hoophouse improvements you can make by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.
• How Can You Lower Your Greenhouse Energy Bill? by A.J. Both, Rutgers University.
• Ten Ways to Reduce the Greenhouse Energy Bill by A.J. Both, Rutgers University.
• Greenhouse Energy Conservation Checklist by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.
• Ten Easy Ways to Cut Energy Costs in Existing Greenhouse Spaces by Wisconsin Focus on Energy.
• 10 Ways to Lower Your Spring Heating Bill and Save Money by Erik Runkle, Michigan State University.  Reprinted from the December 2005 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.
• 10 Easy Ways to Save Energy and Money by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the November 2005 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.

Glazing Materials & Retractable Curtains

• Greenhouse Glazing Tips by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut. Reprinted from the March 2013 issue of Greenhouse Management.
• Top 10 Energy Curtain Installation Considerations by Kurt Parbst, Ludvig Svensson Inc.  Reprinted from the October 2011 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Opening Strategies for Energy Curtains by Erik Runkle, Michigan State University. Reprinted from the August 2009 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Save Heat with Infrared Film by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the December 2008 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.
• Reduce Fuel Costs with Screens by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the November 2008 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.
• Installing Infrared Polyethylene Film to Save Energy by Erik Runkle, Michigan State University.  Reprinted from the July 2008 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Curtain Checkup by Patricia Dean, Wadsworth Control Systems.  Reprinted from the April 2006 issue of Greenhouse Grower.

Efficient Heating, Fans, Venting & Electrical Systems

• Keep your Greenhouse Cool with these Equipment Maintenance Tips by A.J. Both, Rutgers University.
• Reducing Natural Gas / Propane Use for Greenhouse Space Heating by Scott Stanford, University of Wisconsin.
• Ventilation Optimization by John Bartok Jr. Reprinted from the February 2013 issue of Greenhouse Management.
• How to Prevent Fan Shutter Heat Loss by John Bartok Jr. Reprinted from the October 2011 issue of Greenhouse Management.
• Winter Maintenance for Greenhouse Equipment by Patricia Dean, Wadsworth Control Systems.  Reprinted from the January 2011 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Pipe insulation is an inexpensive, energy-saving measure by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the October 2010 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.
• Fanning Uniformity in the Greenhouse (HAF fans) by Erik Runkle, Michigan State University.  Reprinted from the May 2008 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Exploring Underbench Heating Options by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the October 2006 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Horizontal Air Flow by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the September 2005 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Infrared Heats Up by Jim Youngsman, Comfort Glow Heating LLC.  Reprinted from the December 2001 issue of Greenhouse Grower.
• Saving Energy on Electric, Lighting, and Water Systems by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the October 2001 issue of Greenhouse Product News.
• Greenhouse Heating Checklist by A. Bucklin, P.H. Jones, B.A. Barmby, D.B. McConnell, and R.W. Henley, University of Florida.

General/Other Topics

• Coping with High Energy Prices by Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension.
• Using Insulation to Save Energy and Money by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the April 2007 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.
• Close Down Growing Space – and Save Money in Winter by John Bartok Jr., University of Connecticut.  Reprinted from the December 2006 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.
• Reducing Energy Costs in California Greenhouses: I. Reduce Greenhouse Heat Losses by Cooperative Extension, University of California.
• Reducing Energy Costs in California Greenhouses: II. Increase Efficiency of Heating and Cooling Systems by Cooperative Extension, University of California.
• Greenhouse Energy Conservation and Alternatives by Patricia Rorabaugh, Merle Jensen, and Gene Giacomelli, University of Arizona.  Reprinted from Chapter 13 in: Introduction to Controlled Environment Agriculture and Hydroponics.
• Stop the Invisible Energy Loss by Mike Brugger, Ohio State University.  Reprinted from the September 2004 issue of Greenhouse Management and Production.