Seven Greenhouse Heater Reviews + Complete Buying Guide
With a simple search online these days, it isn’t going to be long before you’re up to your eyeballs in greenhouse heaters (confused as to which is best). For this reason, we’ve compiled short reviews for seven fantastic products before then finishing with a buying guide. By the end, you should have a much better idea as to what you need!
Bio Green PAL 2kW Palma Heater
- Heating output of 2000W
- Affordable operation
- Stands on the floor and offers IPX4 splash-proofing
- Offers digital thermostat
As you can see from the heating output of 2000W (2kW), this greenhouse heater is certainly powerful but this doesn’t mean it will be inefficient in your greenhouse. First and foremost, the stainless-steel construction adds a sense of durability so this is a heater that should stay with you for some time to come. Designed and created by Bio Green, the company suggests its use for any room up to 39 square feet which includes greenhouses, storage rooms, basements, outbuildings, garages, and workshops.
If you’re looking for efficiency and don’t want to spend extortionate amounts on energy usage, this would be a great consideration. Once turned on, the heat will circulate quickly which means you won’t have pockets of cold air in corners. Thanks to the built-in thermostat, the temperature can be controlled accurately and this could be important depending on what you’re keeping in the greenhouse. Although slightly more expensive, the digital version ensures accuracy of plus/minus two degrees which is impressive.
Once you add in the smaller features, such as the fact it’s spray-water proof, it gives confidence and should do the trick perfectly for many years to come. In Bio Green, you also have a reliable manufacturer who will help if ever you experience issues with the unit.
Our Rating:
2kW Greenhouse Fan Heater
- Offers heating output of 2kW
- Designed for greenhouses up to 8×12 in size
- Strong metal casing
- Rated at IPX4 for splash-proofing
In a similar vein to the previous model, we have a strong and durable design with all the essentials you could ever need. While some companies choose to go for a slightly less secure plastic foundation, Simplicity has chosen a strong metal casing which should extend its life somewhat. Having been powder coated in a green, it allows for a more natural appearance within the greenhouse. With a good fan and stainless-steel heating element inside the unit, it’s believed that air can circulate at a rate of 186m3 per hour. Ultimately, this means it should spread evenly throughout the greenhouse.
Furthermore, the regulations now state that IPX4 is the minimum for all greenhouse heaters and this model adheres to the rule perfectly. If some wet conditions are experienced and there is a little splashing, this shouldn’t cause any issues. In the summer, the heater can be switched to a fan so it actually serves as a multi-purpose item. Depending on the size of your greenhouse or the conditions you’re trying to create, there’s actually a switch for 1kW and 2kW power which is a nice touch from the manufacturers; a thermostat will also ensure the heater turns off once the desired temperature has been achieved.
Our Rating:
Eden Gas Greenhouse Heater 2kW
- 2kW of power
- Controlled via a thermostat
- Offers a Piezo ignition as well as a safety valve
- Boasts ‘Oxygen Depletion System’
At this point, you’re probably starting to sense a theme developing; 2kW is about the perfect amount of power for a greenhouse at home. As the third heater to fit this mould, this model from Lifestyle has great reviews online and it’s not too hard to see why. Manufactured in Europe, the model meets the extremely high standards set in the continent which should lead to confidence in the design and performance. For the manufacturers themselves, they promise not only high performance but also reliability and durability.
Just as we’ve seen before, the temperature inside the greenhouse can be controlled using a thermostat and this means you don’t have to worry about the space being too cold during those harsh winter months. In addition to this, the product comes with a hose, a Piezo ignition, and even a 37 Mbar regulator Oxygen Depletion System.
In total, the unit stands at 485mm while offering width of 300mm and depth of 130mm. With this in mind, the unit is small enough to tuck into a corner or just out of the way so it doesn’t become a danger to all those who enter the greenhouse. In order to work correctly, the unit needs propane and this can be found easily across the country.
Our Rating:
Single Burner Paraffin Greenhouse Heater
- Perfect for greenhouses to the size of 6×6
- Offers a five-litre tank
- High-quality product
- One tank normally provides 80 hours of burning
When you first see this product, there are two things that jump out; the compact size and the incredible design. Compared to the other options we’ve seen so far, this one is definitely for those with a smaller space and this is important to remember. If you have a larger greenhouse, the device may not have the power to generate the same heat throughout the space.
Offering a five-litre capacity, the heater should continue burning for 80 hours on just one fill. Thanks to the beautiful design from Fireside, we have brass-plated twin burners, threaded chimneys, and several other features that don’t seem possible on such a compact unit. If we look at the size for a moment, it’s around 300mm wide and 400mm high but it also has a sturdy nature which removes the worry of it tipping over or causing any similar issues.
To operate effectively, this particular heater requires premium paraffin and, once again, this is something available right across the country. In fact, websites like Amazon sell paraffin which means you can buy everything you need to get started in one transaction. Finally, the additional features like the frost-free protection make for a great investment.
Our Rating:
Industrial Fan Heater
- Huge 3kW of power
- Adjustable thermostat
- Cold-rolled steel body
- Emits no humidity, fumes, or odours
- Passes all waterproofing requirements
If power is the most important feature for your greenhouse heater, we have the answer here and it comes from Modern Life. For a 20 square metre room, they say it takes around five minutes for the heater to have the whole room warm. However, this isn’t the limit for this heater because the manufacturers claim anything up to 60 square metres to be possible.
Compared to other models we’ve seen here today, the difference with this one is the sheer number of features you receive. Of course, we should probably start with the 3kW power since this is something you won’t find on too many models. This being said, you can control the power if you only have a smaller room since there are options of 30W, 1500W, and 3000W. After this, we like the overheat safety cut-off feature, the heat-resistant handle, adjustable thermostat, stainless-steel heating element, noiseless fan, oxide layer protection, fixed safety bracket, and even the enclosed dust-proof motor.
All things considered, it feels like a heater designed by an experienced greenhouse keeper. With all the features we’ve mentioned, they don’t make or break the experience but they make it easier and more enjoyable. For example, the dust-proof motor will extend the life of the heater while the noiseless fan actually prevents us from getting frustrated more than anything else.
Our Rating:
12V Solar Fan with 20W Panel
- 12V solar fan with three different speed settings
- 20W monocrystalline solar panel
- Ideal for greenhouses as well as sheds
- Many actually find use when camping or spending time in a caravan
- Can be powered using a 12V battery
As we bring our seven suggestions to a close, we come across a solar fan from PK Green. Regardless of how cold it may be outside, you can keep your plants and vegetables warm using this portable solar fan. With a height of just 39cm and an overall weight of one kilogram, it’s easy to carry around whether you like to go camping or you just want to stay warm on a caravan holiday. Offering an oscillating grill, the air should distribute evenly and the three different airflow speeds allow the model to match your needs whether it’s low, medium, or high.
With the monocrystalline solar panel, you’ll receive power of 20W as well as a device that’s suitable for all weather. Suddenly, you have a device that will last the test of time because it won’t be affected by rain. What’s more, the frame has been designed using strong aluminium which means you shouldn’t have an issue with damage or wear any time soon.
Although there are many features to like on this unit, one of the best is the fact you can run the machine with a 12V battery. If you already have one in the home or you invest a little more to make it happen, the whole device will run off the battery to make things even easier.
Our Rating:
LightHouse Eco Heat Greenhouse Heater
- Up to 135w available in power
- Uses similar energy levels to a lightbulb
- Provides consistency for your greenhouse
- Has a variety of other uses
From the most powerful model in our list to the most economical, we have the LightHouse Eco Heater and it’s yet another that has a good reputation within its niche. As you would expect, this heater allows you to create a stable environment for plants regardless of what’s happening outside. Even during the coldest days in winter, the temperature can remain stable and your plants and perhaps even vegetables can grow naturally.
Away from the basics, the power is less than you might find elsewhere. With three settings of 45W, 80W, and 135W, you can choose the model that best suits your needs but even the most powerful doesn’t compare with what we’ve already seen. This being said, less than 50w per foot of energy is used when in operation which brings the unit on a par with an ordinary lightbulb. In fact, LightHouse believe it to use 25% less energy than the majority of other tube heaters on the market. If your main interest is on saving money and you only have a small area to heat anyway, this makes for a superb investment.
Due to the size and efficiency, most buyers end up finding more uses for this nifty device such as drying out damp cupboards and even as a simple heater within the home when the greenhouse doesn’t need the help.
Our Rating:
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Complete Greenhouse Heater Buying Guide
As you’ve seen so far, there are some fantastic greenhouse and polytunnel heaters in the market. Often, people will ask us for the ‘best’ heater but this is an impossible question to answer. Why? Because it’s a very unique decision and one that can easily go wrong. When buying a car, there is no universal ‘best’ car because we all have different needs. While some need a vehicle suitable for a family, others want a sports car. With greenhouse heaters, it’s exactly the same which is why you need to consider the following;
Greenhouse Size – First and foremost, how big is your greenhouse? The bigger the space, the more power you need to keep all four corners at a stable temperature. In the past, we’ve seen too many people buy a product because of the positive reviews only to find it doesn’t suit their own needs. While considering the size of the greenhouse, you also need to think about whether it’s insulated or not.
If you’re lucky enough to have one of the largest greenhouse designs available on the market, you may require two heaters to run it effectively. If you want a little trick to reduce your bills and reduce the amount of power required, pin bubble wrap to the roof and the walls. By doing this, you’re effectively adding insulation and the heater won’t have to work quite so hard to keep the greenhouse at the optimum temperature.
Source of Power – Once you have a basic idea of what you need, we then recommend assessing the different power sources. While we may not be able to avoid bills, we can certainly work towards keeping them as low as possible. In order to do this, we have to learn about the three main ways a greenhouse heater can be powered.
Electric – In the market today, the first option you’re likely to find is the electric option and this is because there are dozens and dozens of manufacturers in this field. If you’re looking for advantages, the most obvious would be the thermostat since this allows you to control the temperature of the room at all times; this lends itself to energy-saving features too. As soon as the desired temperature has been met, no electricity is used until it’s required again.
In order for these models to be successful, there needs to be some level of water protection. When searching the market, you should be looking for IPX4 or IPX6 since these are the strongest you’re likely to find. No matter how much moisture is in the air, units with either of these two ratings will continue to function as normal.
In terms of different products, you’re now likely to come across ceramic heaters, convection heaters, infrared heaters, radiant heaters, and many others; they all have the same foundation but use slightly different technology to generate heat. If you can get one with a fan, this adds value because it will distribute the heat more effectively. In addition to this, the fan will also limit moisture and therefore prevent mould and similar issues.
Finally, some units will be free-standing while others will be mounted and it’s up to you to find the model that best suits your needs. All things considered, we believe electric to be the best option of all because they’re easy to use, they generate good power, and they can be very efficient.
Paraffin – If we were to look back a number of years, paraffin would be the most common solution. Looking at the positives first, they don’t require too much maintenance and the emissions can actually stimulate plant growth. Assuming you can find paraffin at an affordable price (this can be a tricky task), you don’t have to groan when the electricity bill comes through the door and the unit will keep working even when power cuts occur.
On the other hand, the heater will need to be adjusted manually which means it will keep burning until there’s no fuel if nobody is taking care of the greenhouse. With the water produced, there’s also a risk of mould so this is something of which you need to be wary. As opposed to regulating the temperature of the greenhouse, paraffin is stronger when used to keep the greenhouse from frost.
Propane – As the third and final power source for greenhouse heaters, you’ll also come across propane gas models. Compared to paraffin, propane gas is typically cheaper which is perhaps the biggest advantage of choosing a propane-powered heater; the bottles are also readily available right across the country. If we delve into science a little, we also know that this gas is essential for the photosynthetic process so this is great news.
In terms of drawbacks, propane gas probably causes the most amount of moisture of all three options. If you leave your greenhouse unattended for even just a few days, it can cause real problems not only for your plants but also the integrity of the greenhouse itself. If you decide to go for propane, ensure you have the time and motivation to check and replace the bottles while maintaining the greenhouse. Many Patio heaters use this fuel source.
Despite the cheaper price of propane, it is getting quite tough to find a heater with a thermostat (that we would be happy to recommend to you). If you want a propane model and a thermostat, make sure you do your research and read through customer reviews so you aren’t left feeling disappointed.
Power Rating – With each heater on the market, they’ll have a power rating and it’s normally listed in kilowatts (kW). For the majority, they’re likely to offer something between 1kW and 3kW; this is a huge difference for your greenhouse. If you only have a small greenhouse, you won’t need an extremely powerful heater but it might be worth investing in one with different power settings in case you have plans for a larger greenhouse in the future.
To keep things simple, we advise measuring your greenhouse before then comparing this to the airflow promised on various models. If the coverage is good enough, you can be happy it will work within the area you have available. Remember, insulation is an important consideration because insulated greenhouses won’t need powerful heaters.
Today, most of us have what the industry considers ‘small’ greenhouses and most 2kW heaters allow for an efficient job. If you really aren’t sure which model to choose, speak with experts in the store, read reviews online, and talk to previous customers (as well as friends and family!).
Price – Finally, although it sounds obvious, be willing to set a price range before you start looking otherwise you could get side-tracked by the more expensive models. Depending on your requirements, a heater can cost below £50 or it could extend beyond £120 so decide the most important factors for you and stick with your decision.
Summary – Ultimately, you need to remember your own needs; write a list, if you have to. As mentioned, listen to other people and obtain recommendations but never buy a heater just because somebody else says it’s effective. Research, ask whether it fits your own needs, and then make the right decision!
Last update on 2023-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
