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Monday 19th 43F Very, very dark. [At 5.55] A sunny day with possible showers is offered.
Up at 5.10. No escape from my memories of my poor, dear wife.
The upstairs, indoor temperature has dropped to 63F. 60F/15C in the lounge and kitchen. The greenhouse temperature is 50F/10C. Today's promised sunshine should boost that to the 80sF.
I will lift the second greenhouse net up over the first. To expose the greenhouse to maximum sunshine. It is just a matter of tightening the rope threaded through the top edge. The second net was shading the front wall of the greenhouse during the summer. With double layers where the sun would shine through onto the house wall.
Lifting the second net should provide a little insulation overnight. While letting in more light to the lounge windows during the day. I should probably take the nets down for the winter. The winds and cold will probably cause increased wear where they rub on the aluminium roof spars.
The beech hedge in front of the greenhouse could do with a top trim now. To let the sun reach the greenhouse. The arc of the sun across the southern sky drops lower and lower. Even when the sun isn't shining the 7m/22' long greenhouse shelters the house.
Though thick, external insulation is theoretically better. It wouldn't provide any sheltered space. Perhaps for drying clothes in wet weather. Or sitting out in milder weather. Nor does insulation protect the southern windows from the winter cold. It is still "only" a lean-to, aluminium greenhouse.
Which can regularly drop well below freezing. Certainly not a warm "conservatory" room. With double glazing, carpets and smart furniture. The greenhouse manufacturer's brochures would have you believe that a greenhouse is a luxury extension of the house. It may well be an extension, but it has very serious drawbacks for regular use. Far too hot in summer and far too cold in winter. It is very unpleasant indeed being under unshaded glass. Only in certain conditions is it a comfortable space.
It was sheer luck that somebody nearby was getting rid of their lean-to greenhouse. They were investing in a conservatory with a solid roof. Then I was offered a serious discount by a local dealer for a similar model. With a connecting profile to add the second, matching greenhouse. So that I could cover most of the front of the house at relatively low expense.
Our major mistake was putting the shading on the inside. Which didn't work well at all! The professional quality, external shade netting has transformed the greenhouse. Into something far more useful. The shade net came from a German eBay dealer at remarkably low cost for a huge [and heavy] roll! I just wish the green colour was much less blue. It stands out in the landscape as very unnatural.
The climate scientists are saying that each new winter is warmer than the last. A combination of high prices and a cold winter would be disastrous for many. I hope my stock of firewood lasts the winter.
7.00 I have just been out to hoists my net. It still hangs down over the curved eaves. Doubling the thickness of the net over the sloping, greenhouse roof. I may have to thread more rope though the lower edges of the net. To allow me to quickly lift it much higher on the roof when needed. Or I could just take the second net down. That would leave the 1st net to provide comfort shade in bright sunshine. It is odd to think that I could never have done any of this when my wife was alive.
8.30 47F/8C. First I am going to try my luck in the observatory.
11.30. 57F and full sunshine. I removed one net from the greenhouse roof and opened the door into the hall and the living room. It was well worthwhile. With the temperature rising indoors and dropping in the greenhouse. The free heat was very noticeable as it flowed indoors. One layer of net still provides comfortable shade in the greenhouse. Naked glass is horrible to stand under in sunshine!
12.30 Greenhouse doors still open. The temperature indoors has risen 3ºF. Finished the washing up. So now I can eat.
12.50 59F/15C outside. Sitting down to lunch. The greenhouse and ground floor are now both at 70F. The upstairs is lagging slightly at 68F and climbing slowly. A great improvement over 63F!What a shame it isn't sunny every day. I could improve the heat gain to the greenhouse by drawing back the remaining net. No need today, but easily done if needed.
Providing a top exit channel from the greenhouse to the upstairs would bring the heat indoors by convection. It would return downstairs by natural cooling and being pushed along by the rising hot air stream. To exit through the open doors to the greenhouse. Or via the downstairs windows. A continuous airflow driven only by the sun.
Such an arrangement would be difficult to achieve entirely internally here. [i.e.Invisibly.] Due to the house's rain gutter being just above the greenhouse. One of the greenhouse roof windows could provide an outlet to the upstairs. Though it would need to be well sealed, weatherproofed and well insulated. Such arrangements are commonplace in specialised solar heated homes. With flaps being provided to stop the airflow as desired. Or when the sun is not shining.
13.20 60F/15C outdoors. 72F/22C downstairs. 69F upstairs. I have opened the balcony doors to spread the heat more evenly. Walking downstairs is like walking into an oven! 73F in the kitchen.
I have been reading about passive solar heating since the 1970s. Possibly before that. Finally I can practice it myself. Albeit on a single, perfect, sunny day and not too cold outside.
14.45 60F/15C outside. 75F/24C indoors downstairs. 71F upstairs.
15.30 I have painted the second coat in the front hall. More cloudy now.
16.15. 57F/14C. It rained.
Dinner was fried eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms on toast. Finished off with a bread roll.
21.15 The heat I gained from the greenhouse today, stayed indoors. It is still 68F/20C up here.
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