The application of heat pumps to glasshouses

Abstract A theoretical analysis is undertaken of the application of the heat pump to glasshouse heating. An introductory description of glasshouses and heat pumps is given and an expression for the heat load is derived. The optimum heat pump capacity is found to be essentially independent of the heat source or drive and is about 100 kW/ 10 3 m 2 ground area. An economic analysis shows that substantial savings would result from using engine driven heat pumps. An air to air electric drive heat pump becomes attractive if oil prices rise to 34 p/gallon against an electricity tariff of 1.76 p/kWh.