Grow rooms are gaining popularity in recent years, especially in the agricultural industry for cultivating various plants but also among individuals eager to have a regulated environment to grow plants. Continuous power is required to ensure things run seamlessly. An on-hand backup generator will greatly minimize the potential loss of your plants if unforeseen power outages happen.
When investing in a power generator for your grow room, you have several considerations to keep in mind to ensure uninterrupted operations.
What Is A Grow Room?
A grow room is an enclosure or chamber with a controlled environment to ensure optimal growth conditions for plants. In simple terms, it’s a dedicated indoor space for growing plants.
Since it’s an indoor environment, it entails round-the-clock maintenance. Generally, it requires several pieces of equipment and devices that cater to the needs of your plants while maintaining the right growing conditions. A grow room will be useful in growing food-yielding plants or houseplants, especially for those who lack outdoor space.
A grow room depends on several crucial pieces of equipment to function optimally. Depending on your plants, any disruption to the optimum conditions can be detrimental to their growth.
How To Shop For The Right Power Generator
Power outages caused by natural disasters or emergency shutdowns can affect the growth of your plants. If you don’t want disruption, consider investing in a power generator or portable power stations. When you have one ready, it’ll ensure all of your equipment continues to function and that all conditions stay optimum for your plants.
During the selection process, looking for one that can cater to your grow room’s specific needs is crucial. Here are several considerations when looking for the right power generator for your grow room.
1. Determine The Suitable Size And Power Output
The energy output of the power generator is an important consideration for your grow room. A generator that cannot provide adequate power will not ensure the optimum functioning of your equipment. Disruptions can negatively impact their growth if you have ornamental plants, herbs, or vegetables in your grow room.
An undersized power generator will struggle to provide for the needs of your grow room. Sadly, it can shorten its lifespan. Additionally, the strain places significant stress on the generator, causing it to short out. It can result in irreparable damage not only to the generator but to all equipment connected to it. On the other hand, buying an oversized generator can be costly.
The initial task in determining the power output of the generator is figuring out the overall power consumption of your grow room. Generally, knowing the consumption of your grow room will help you decide on a suitable power generator.
2. Know The Different Types Of Power Generators
Every grow room has specific needs. Luckily, you have several options that work best for a grow room.
A natural gas generator is an environmentally friendly and economical option. Due to the affordable price range of natural gas, it doesn’t have a steep operational cost. Additionally, the generator produces fewer emissions than other generators. The only drawback is that it requires frequent generator maintenance. It also requires a continuous supply of natural gas, which can be disrupted during emergencies.
Diesel generators are durable with a long lifespan and can serve as a primary power source or backup generator. However, you should look for one that complies with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards. Diesel generators are mostly massive in size and require dedicated space and professional installation.
A portable generator may be a suitable choice for a small grow room. Generally, it can provide enough power to your grow room during emergencies. In most models, you must configure it with the main power supply and operate on natural gas, diesel, or gas. Remember that your grow room’s electrical circuit should be properly configured to receive power from a generator. In such circumstances, call a professional electrician to handle the preparations.
3. Understand Industry Standards And Regulations
When selecting a power generator for your grow room, you should be familiar with local industry standards. For those who reside in urban areas, there might be zoning considerations to keep in mind. Make it a priority to look for certifications to ensure that the providers of power generators you’re considering strictly adhere to the regulations and standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
4. Take A Close Look At The Features
Various generators have varying amounts of power, but you should also keep the features in mind. Several features are worth considering, such as automatic start, fuel meter, or electric start.
When a power generator has an automatic start feature, it instantly starts once a power outage occurs. A fuel meter will also come in handy, so you can conveniently monitor the fuel level if it’s already running low and refill it as needed. Lastly, an electric start feature is usually present in most portable generator models that allows you to jumpstart the generator with the push of a button.
Final Thoughts
Investing in a suitable power generator is the best way to ensure your grow room provides the optimum conditions for your plants. Finding the right one is crucial to ensure seamless operations for your grow room. Knowing about these crucial factors during the selection process will guide you in finding the right generator capable of accommodating the needs of your grow room.