SoCal Aquaponics

A building designed to collect heat when temperatures are cold also needs to be able to vent heat when temperatures are warm. Air exchange also is critical in providing plants with adequate levels of carbon dioxide and controlling humidity. Because of the concentrated air use by plants, greenhouses require approximately two air exchanges per minute (in contrast to the one-half air exchange per minute recommended for homes).

Thermal storage materials are effective in keeping a greenhouse cool in summer as well as keeping it warm in winter. Since these materials absorb heat during the day, less heat radiates within the greenhouse when the sun is shining. When the sun goes down, heat released from the thermal storage materials can be vented out of the greenhouse.

Removing external shading can also decrease heat build-up within the greenhouse. Shading provided by mature trees is not recommended. Active solar cooling systems include solar air-conditioning units and photovoltaic set up to run standard evaporative cooling pads. Both are more complex and expensive to equip than passive systems.

This information is courtesy of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service