Now that the cooler months have arrived with a noticeable drop in temperatures, most of us will have dug out our trusty winter woollies and have a roaring fire on to keep us warm.
But how do keep warm in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way when your house is made of glass with no insulation?
This was the dilemma we had at the Winter Garden. Unlike the other collections around the Botanic Garden which can withstand Dunedin’s colder months, the plants in the Winter Garden need to be kept under warm temperature all year around.
We wanted to design a system that would not only cater for the diverse plant collection but also be more efficient and quieter.
If you have visited the Winter Garden recently, you may have noticed some new and modern additions to keep the houses nice and toasty during the colder winter months. After several years of planning and preparation, the new heating system has finally been installed.
In total, there are nine air conditioners quietly heating across all three houses. Comparing to the old fan heaters, the new system is quiet and efficient. They can be easily controlled and adjusted for the different house requirements to provide optimal growing conditions.
Over the next few months, plants will be changed to reduce humidity which will help preserve the wooden structure and reduce maintenance. Come and explore the Winter Garden glasshouse and be protected from the cold weather.
