Energy savings with high light transmission is key. Especially in the early part of the year, when we want to encourage growth.
Light transmission and energy savings are key for forest seedling nursery
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- Greenhouse:
- Chinook Greenhouses
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- Location:
- Alberta, Canada
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- Crop:
- Pine seedlings
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- Challenge:
- Energy savings
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- Solution:
- Luxous 1147 FR
SEPTEMBER 2021
Chinook Greenhouses in Medicine Hat, Alberta (Canada), is a major forest seedling nursery operated by Carson Pancoast and Garrett Bowman, producing white and black spruce, poplar, larch, and lodgepole pine seedlings. As part of the Coast 2 Coast Reforestation group, Chinook has over 450,000 ft² of greenhouse space and can produce around 16 million seedlings annually.
One glasshouse acquired in 2019 required a climate screen upgrade. In late 2020, Chinook installed Svensson’s Luxous 1147 FR screen across a 61,000 ft² (5,670 m²) range to improve climate control and reduce energy loss.
“Energy savings with high light transmission is key,” says Carson Pancoast. “Especially in the early part of the year, when we want to encourage growth.” Pancoast reports that the Luxous 1147 FR was specifically designed to deliver both high light transmission and energy savings — and that these benefits are being realized in this facility.
During Medicine Hat’s cold late winter and early spring, the greenhouse must be heated to initiate and accelerate seedling growth. With the Luxous 1147 FR installed, heat loss is reduced and energy savings are boosted during this critical period, while still allowing high levels of natural light when it’s most needed. The screen also helps maintain more consistent humidity levels and has a high level of flame retardant properties.
Looking ahead, Pancoast hopes to install climate screens in additional greenhouse ranges at Chinook to achieve even greater climate control and energy efficiency. “This first range has shown us what is possible to achieve with the use of climate screens,” he says.
