Automatic vents

We have solved the problem differently. Our greenhouse has four top vents and six bottom vents - all manual.

During mid-spring to mid-autumn there is generally no problem because the vents are open most of the time. We just change how much we open them.

I installed a thermostatically controlled Vent-Axia in the top of the gable end opposite the door. This helps control the temperature inside greenhouse very well. Even in the depths of winter there can be very bright sunny days when the temperature inside the greenhouse can rise too high and the vent solves this. The fan is set to blow air into the greenhouse and not suck air out (the info I had when installing it told me to do it this way but I can't remember why :dh.

In the hot summer all the vents are usually open and the fan is additional ventilation.

I installed the fan in 1976 and haven't even needed to change the fuse in the plug :gnthb:

The bottom vents slide upwards and can be hooked open at any height. On the bench side where the vents are I have runners fixed to the bench legs and slatted trays fitted into the runners. These are a good idea for hardening off. You can have your pots (or seed trays) on the slatted trays and slide them out during the day and back in again at night - easy peasy :D

Here is a tatty, and wonky, photo showing the vent above the propagator (which I built) that has also been working since 1976.

 

Thanks Fancy :gnthb:

It has served us very well for over 30 years. Some of it is rotting but I had someone in from the manufacturers and they said it would cost more to repair it than to buy a new one. They would have to take it apart to replace the rotten parts, adjust the new parts because they are now metric and then rebuild it. They quoted over £3,000 for it. Their engineer said that I shouldn't bother and he doesn't see why it couldn't last another 10 years.

Oscar the cat lives in the heated propagator at the far end of the greenhouse and is quite happy with it as it is . At least we don't have mice eating our plants. :hehe:

 

A good idea Kristen but I'm at the stage in life when even the thought of trying to erect a very large greenhouse makes me tired :hehe:. With a bit of luck it may last another 30+ years and if I last that long I shall be quite happy :gnthb:. By then the king would be able to send me my telegram (or whatever has replaced it) :lollol::lollol::lollol: