While the cannabis industry continues to evolve, it is important for growers to be prepared for year-round growth to keep up with the demand.
Having the right mechanical heating solution enables facility managers and grow house owners to create an environment that allows the plants to thrive throughout the year. Heating solutions are often not top-of-mind in the summer, as the temperatures are already optimal for growing. However, it’s a perfect time to get your unit prepped and ready for the fall and winter. Nothing is worse than firing up your unit when temperatures drop only to find out it isn’t working properly.
From maintenance to finding the right solution, here are some ways grow house owners can ensure they are ready for the winter growing season.
Ensure you have an efficient heating solution
One of the most important things a grower can do to prepare for colder temperatures is to find the right heating solution for their facility. Producing adequate and permanent heat will help create a conditioned environment that promotes plant growth. At the same time, you are running a business, so the efficiency of the unit should be taken into consideration. High-efficiency unit heaters can help generate savings while also providing a permanent heating source for growers.
Unit heaters provide a smaller footprint than most heating solutions. Thanks to their size, they can be tucked away and provide more space for your plants and other necessary equipment. And with their highly efficient nature — some unit heaters provide up to 97% thermal efficiency while decreasing CO2 emissions — more than one can be operated to help create the perfect growing conditions for plants.
Schedule a preventative maintenance inspection
When winter strikes, you don’t want to be caught in the cold waiting on an emergency repair crew to fix your unit. This could be costly if cannabis plants are damaged because of less-than-optimal temperatures. That’s why it’s important for growers to take proactive steps to ensure their heating solutions are primed and ready to go when needed. The best way to do that is to schedule a preventative maintenance inspection with a certified, licensed contractor. During these inspections, the technician will thoroughly investigate the unit and check for potential problems.
During a unit heater inspection, the contractor will look at a variety of things, including checking the water traps and condensate lines on high-efficiency units for any dirt or debris, checking for any mold that may have accumulated on the unit, cleaning the burners on the heating unit, checking the vent pipe for any rusting or blockages, cleaning the flame sensor, inspecting the heat exchanger to make sure it hasn’t rusted and is still intact and checking the motors to ensure they are in good working order.
Each of these steps is essential in making sure a heating solution is ready to be turned on when needed. It’s vital for the facility manager or owner to develop a plan that includes a preventative maintenance inspection during the summer to decrease downtime during the winter.
Preparing for Winter
While winter is still several months away, it’s never too early to be prepared. With the marijuana industry continuing to grow, it’s important for growers to take the proper steps to ensure they can meet consumer demands, including the ability to grow the product year-round.
Being proactive during the summer gives owners the ability to stay ahead of the curve when temperatures drop while also minimizing downtime and creating an environment that helps both your plants and wallet grow during the winter.
Jamie Tuinstra is a product manager at Modine Manufacturing. He has been in the heating and cooling industry for 25 years and with Modine for 16 years. Modine provides trusted systems and solutions that improve air quality and conserve natural resources. Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.modine.com.