Are Tube Heaters Good For Greenhouses?
Yes, tube heaters can be very good for greenhouses when you need gentle, steady background heat rather than powerful high-temperature heating. They are particularly useful for helping protect vulnerable plants against frost, maintaining modest minimum temperatures and reducing condensation during colder weather. Elixir Gardens THO, THO-D and THO-B Tube Heaters are designed for applications including greenhouses and are available in several lengths and outputs, allowing the heating setup to be matched more closely to the space. They can also be combined with heater guards and thermostatic control, making them a practical option for many small and medium greenhouse heating setups.
However, a tube heater is not automatically the right solution for every greenhouse. Its effectiveness depends on greenhouse size, insulation, draughts, outdoor temperature, heater output and the temperature your plants actually require.
Quick Answer
- Yes, tube heaters are well suited to many greenhouse applications
- They provide steady background heat
- They are particularly useful for frost protection
- They can help maintain a modest minimum greenhouse temperature
- They can also help reduce condensation and moisture build-up
- Elixir offers THO , THO-D and THO-B Tube Heater ranges
- THO models currently range from 55W to 190W
- THO-B models currently range from 60W to 240W
- THO-D models range from 60W to 240W
- They are IP44 rated
- Current Elixir models must be installed horizontally
- The heater surface becomes extremely hot during operation
- Heater guards are highly advisable where accidental contact is possible
- Compatible thermostats can provide automatic temperature control
- Thermostatic control can reduce unnecessary operation.
- Insulating the greenhouse can improve the overall heating system
- Tube heaters are generally more suitable for background air heating than seed propagation
- Soil warming cables are more targeted where warm compost or root-zone heat is required
The right heater depends on how much heat you need and how much control you want over when the heater operates.
Why Are Tube Heaters Good For Greenhouses?
Tube heaters are designed to provide steady background heat, making them well suited to greenhouses where temperatures need to be kept from falling too low.
Elixir’s tubular heaters are designed for use in greenhouses as well as garden sheds, conservatories, airing cupboards, caravans, boats, kennels and other suitable enclosed areas. The heaters are IP44 rated and provide a relatively low-energy method of supplying background warmth.
They can also be useful for frost protection and helping to reduce condensation and moisture build-up.
However, tube heaters are not designed to work in exactly the same way as a high-output fan heater. If you need to rapidly increase the temperature of a large, cold greenhouse, a fan heater may be more appropriate.
Which Elixir Tube Heater Is Right For Your Greenhouse?
Elixir’s current tube heater range includes six options, giving you several ways to build a greenhouse heating system.
TH0 Tube Heaters With Built-In Heat Control
The TH0 Tube Heaters with Built-In Heat Control are a straightforward option when you want a tubular heater with its own adjustable temperature control.
They are available in four sizes:
- 50cm / 55W
- 70cm / 90W
- 100cm / 135W
- 150cm / 190W
They are designed to provide steady background heat and are suitable for greenhouses, garden sheds, conservatories and other applications. The heaters have an adjustable temperature range of 0°C–85°C and are IP44 rated.
Best suited to: Gardeners who want a straightforward tube heater with built-in temperature control.
TH0-B Tube Heaters With Built-In Heat Control
The TH0-B Tube Heaters with Built-In Heat Control provide another option for controlled background heating, with slightly different size and wattage options.
Available sizes include:
- 30cm / 60W
- 60cm / 120W
- 90cm / 180W
- 120cm / 240W
The TH0-B range is designed for steady heat and frost protection and includes an adjustable temperature control, power switch and indicator light.
The higher 240W option can be useful where more background heat is required, while the smaller models are suitable where lower heat output is sufficient.
Best suited to: Greenhouses and other areas where you want built-in temperature control with a choice of four heater outputs.
TH0 Tube Heaters With Guards & Thermostats
If you want a more complete heating setup, the TH0 Tube Heaters with Guards & Thermostats combine the tube heater with additional temperature control and protection.
The TH0 range uses 55W, 90W, 135W and 190W heaters, giving you options for different installation requirements.
This can be particularly useful if the greenhouse is regularly accessed or if you want additional protection around the heater.
Tube heaters become extremely hot during operation, so a suitable guard can help prevent people or objects from coming into contact with the hot surface.
Best suited to: Greenhouses where you want a TH0 heater combined with a thermostat and additional physical protection.
View TH0 Tube Heaters With Guards & Thermostats
TH0-B Tube Heaters With Guards & Thermostats
The TH0-B Tube Heaters with Guards & Thermostats combine the TH0-B heater range with optional guards and thermostats.
The available heater sizes range from 60W to 240W, allowing you to select an output appropriate for your setup.
This is a useful option if you want to build a more complete greenhouse heating system rather than buying the heater, guard and thermostat separately.
Best suited to: Gardeners who want a TH0-B heater with additional safety protection and temperature control.
View TH0-B Tube Heaters With Guards & Thermostats
TH0-D Tube Heaters With Digital Timer
If automatic scheduling is important, the TH0-D Tube Heaters with Digital Timer provide a different approach.
These heaters are available in:
- 60W
- 120W
- 180W
- 240W
The built-in digital timer provides four operating options. You can set the heater to switch off after a selected period, switch on after a period of being off, operate on a repeating cycle, or provide continuous heat.
This can be particularly useful if you don’t want the heater operating continuously and want greater control over when background heat is provided.
Best suited to: Greenhouse owners who want a tube heater with built-in digital timing control.
View TH0-D Tube Heaters With Digital Timer
Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit
For gardeners who want a more complete solution rather than selecting individual components, Elixir also offers a Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit.
The kits combine greenhouse insulation with frost protection, with some options including a tube heater.
Depending on the kit selected, components can include:
- Tube heater
- 10mm greenhouse bubble insulation
- Frost fleece
- Bubble clips and washers
The heater-inclusive kits use either a 60W 1ft tube heater or 120W 2ft tube heater, depending on the option selected.
The insulation helps reduce heat loss, allowing the heating system to work within a better-insulated greenhouse.
Importantly, Elixir states that these kits are intended to maintain above-freezing background temperatures rather than actively heat the greenhouse to a high temperature. Some kit options are also supplied without a tube heater for locations without access to electricity.
Best suited to: Gardeners looking for an all-in-one approach to greenhouse winter and frost protection.
View the Greenhouse Frost Protection KitÂ
| Elixir Product | Main Feature | Heater Options | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TH0 Tube Heater | Built-in heat control | 55W–190W | Controlled background heat |
| TH0-B Tube Heater | Built-in heat control | 60W–240W | Controlled background heat |
| TH0 With Guards & Thermostats | Heater + guard + thermostat | 55W–190W | Complete controlled setup |
| TH0-B With Guards & Thermostats | Heater + guard + thermostat | 60W–240W | Higher-output controlled setup |
| TH0-D Tube Heater | Digital timer | 60W–240W | Scheduled heating |
| Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit | Heater + insulation + frost fleece | 60W/120W options | Complete winter protection |
Are Tube Heaters Better Than Fan Heaters?
Not necessarily. The two types of heater are better suited to different requirements.
Tube heaters are particularly useful when you want:
- Steady background warmth
- Frost protection
- Gradual heat
- Low-energy supplementary heating
- Less reliance on moving air
Fan heaters are more appropriate when you need:
- Rapid heating
- Higher heat output
- Warm air circulation
- Faster temperature increases
For example, a tube heater can be useful for maintaining a greenhouse above freezing overnight, whereas a fan heater may be more suitable when you need to raise the temperature quickly.
Do Tube Heaters Help With Frost Protection?
Yes. Tube heaters are commonly used to provide background heat during cold weather and can help prevent temperatures from dropping as low as they otherwise might.
However, the correct heater output depends on the greenhouse, insulation, outside temperature and the temperature you are trying to maintain.
Elixir’s Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit is specifically designed around maintaining above-freezing background temperatures, combining tubular heating with greenhouse insulation and frost fleece.
Should You Insulate Your Greenhouse As Well?
Yes, particularly if your goal is frost protection.
Heating a greenhouse without addressing heat loss can mean the heater needs to operate for longer. Greenhouse bubble insulation can reduce heat loss through the glazing and help create a more stable environment.
This is why combining a suitable tube heater with insulation can be more effective than simply increasing heater output.
The Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit follows this approach by combining tubular heating with 10mm bubble insulation and frost fleece in its heater-inclusive options.
Should You Use A Thermostat With A Tube Heater?
A thermostat can be useful when you want automatic temperature control rather than manually switching the heater on and off.
Elixir offers tube heater packages with thermostats, as well as separate plug-in thermostats that can be used with suitable heating equipment.
For straightforward analogue control, the TH-926T Analogue Plug-In Thermostat is an option. Where you need the sensing point positioned away from the socket, the TH-926TE uses a 2m external probe.
For digital control, the TH-928T Digital Plug-In Thermostat provides digital operation and hot/cold functionality.
Always check the heater and thermostat specifications before connecting equipment and ensure the electrical load is within the thermostat’s rated limits.
What Size Tube Heater Do You Need?
There isn’t one tube heater size that is right for every greenhouse.
Consider:
- Greenhouse dimensions
- Amount of glazing
- Insulation
- Outside temperatures
- Desired minimum temperature
- Type of plants being protected
- Whether you need frost protection or active heating
- How much background heat is required
Elixir’s range runs from smaller 55W and 60W models through to 240W options, giving you several output levels to choose from.
For frost protection, the aim should generally be to maintain suitable temperatures rather than rapidly heat the entire greenhouse.
How To Get Better Results From A Tube Heater
A tube heater works best as part of an overall greenhouse winter-protection strategy.
Insulate The Greenhouse
Use suitable bubble insulation to reduce heat loss through the glazing.
Use Frost Fleece Where Appropriate
Fleece can provide an additional layer of protection around vulnerable plants.
Use Temperature Control
A thermostat can help regulate heating equipment according to temperature.
Consider A Heater Guard
Tube heaters become extremely hot during operation. Elixir recommends using suitable guards to help prevent people or objects coming into contact with the hot surface.
Install Correctly
Elixir’s tube heaters must be installed horizontally. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the specific model.
20 Advantages Of Tube Heaters In Greenhouses
- Provide steady background heat
- Suitable for frost protection applications
- Compact design
- Multiple lengths available
- Multiple wattages available
- Can help reduce condensation
- Compatible with thermostatic control
- Can reduce unnecessary heating when correctly controlled
- No fan required
- Quiet operation
- Useful for overwintering suitable plants
- Can be positioned relatively low in the greenhouse
- Suitable for smaller heating zones
- Several heaters can potentially be used where greater output is required
- Compatible heater guards are available
- Elixirs TH0 models are IP44 rated
- Adjustable heat control is available on current Elixir models
- Suitable for steady background heating where required
- Can complement greenhouse insulation
- Can be combined with soil warming cables where propagation requires additional bottom heat
Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit
Best For:
Gardeners who want a complete solution for protecting greenhouse plants from cold temperatures and frost during the colder months.
Why Choose This Product:
The Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit combines tube heating with greenhouse insulation and frost fleece, helping to reduce heat loss while providing additional background warmth. It offers a convenient way to bring several elements of greenhouse winter protection together in one kit.
Recommended When:
Choose this kit when preparing a greenhouse for autumn and winter, particularly when the aim is to maintain above-freezing temperatures and protect plants from frost. It is especially useful when combined heating and insulation are preferred over purchasing individual components separately. Always follow the product instructions for installation and use.
Digital Plug-In Thermostat (TH-928T)
Best For:
Greenhouses, garages, sheds, kennels and other suitable spaces where accurate digital temperature control is required.
Why Choose This Product:
The TH-928T provides digital temperature control from 5°C to 30°C, with a maximum resistive load of 13A / 3120W. It also features a Hot / Cold setting, allowing it to control heating or cooling equipment depending on the temperature requirements of the space.
Recommended When:
Choose the TH-928T when you want precise digital control and automatic temperature management rather than a traditional analogue thermostat. It is particularly useful for maintaining a more consistent temperature in greenhouses and other enclosed areas. Always check the heater’s electrical load and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
BH-20R1 Electric Fan Heater 2kW
Best For:
Greenhouses, garages, workshops and other enclosed areas that need a convenient source of additional heat during colder weather.
Why Choose This Product:
The 2kW electric fan heater provides a practical way to introduce warm air into a space, making it useful where a quick boost of heat is needed. Its fan-assisted design helps distribute warm air around the area rather than relying on heat from a single point.
Recommended When:
Use when additional heating is needed during colder periods, particularly for protecting suitable enclosed growing or working spaces from low temperatures. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the heater in an appropriate, safe environment.
Summary
Tube heaters can be an excellent option for greenhouse background heating and frost protection, particularly when combined with suitable insulation and temperature control.
The advantage of the Elixir range is that you can choose the setup according to how much control you need.
For simple controlled heating, the TH0 or TH0-B models provide built-in heat control. If you want additional protection and temperature control, the TH0 and TH0-B versions with guards and thermostats provide a more complete setup.
For scheduled operation, the TH0-D digital timer models provide additional control over when the heater operates. And if you want to tackle winter protection as a complete system, the Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit combines tubular heating with insulation and frost fleece.
The key is to match the heater to your greenhouse rather than simply choosing the highest wattage. For many greenhouses, steady background heat combined with good insulation and appropriate temperature control can provide a more effective approach to winter protection than trying to heat the entire space rapidly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tube Heaters Suitable For Greenhouses?
Yes. They are particularly suited to background heating and frost-protection applications.
Are Tube Heaters Good For Frost Protection?
Yes. Frost protection is one of their principal intended greenhouse uses.
Can A Tube Heater Keep A Greenhouse Frost-Free?
Potentially, if heater output is sufficient relative to greenhouse heat loss and outside temperature. Always monitor the actual greenhouse temperature.
Are Tube Heaters Expensive To Run?
Electricity use depends on wattage and operating time. Current Elixir greenhouse tube heaters range from 55W to 240W depending on model.
What Temperature Range Do Elixir Plug-In Thermostats Control?
Current analogue and digital tube-heater thermostat options are intended for greenhouse temperature control; always check the current product specification before setting up the system.
Do I Need A Tube Heater Guard?
A guard is highly advisable where people, pets, plants or objects could accidentally contact the hot surface.
Do Tube Heaters Need A Thermostat?
A separate thermostat is not essential to produce heat, but thermostatic control is highly useful for automatically maintaining a chosen greenhouse temperature.
Follow the Instructions
Every gardening product is designed to be used in a specific way. Always read the product label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use. Correct preparation, application and timing help ensure the best possible results while promoting safe and responsible use.
Wear Appropriate PPE
Some products may require suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) during handling or application. Depending on the product, this may include gloves, eye protection or protective clothing. Always check the product label to determine the recommended safety precautions before use.
Application Rates
Using more product than recommended will not usually improve performance and may lead to unnecessary waste or undesirable results. Measure accurately, apply evenly and follow the recommended application rates and guidance provided on the product label.
Rhys Nield
As one of our resident product experts, Rhys has spent the last 2 years helping keen gardeners and growers from within our customer services department. Remember to save this page, or visit the Advice Centre, for the latest tips, articles, and expert knowledge, to help you make your garden the best it can be.
TSE-30FB Electric Fan Heater | 3kW
Original price was: £43.55£36.29.£36.04£30.03Current price is: £36.04£30.03. incl. VATex. VAT
TH0-D Tube Heaters with Digital Timer | Optional Guards
£18.33 £98.74Price range: £21.99£18.33 through £118.49£98.74 incl. VATex. VAT
TH0-B Tube Heaters with Guards & Thermostats
£19.99 £65.21Price range: £23.99£19.99 through £78.25£65.21 incl. VATex. VAT
TH0 Tube Heaters with Guards & Thermostats
£19.16 £80.83Price range: £22.99£19.16 through £96.99£80.83 incl. VATex. VAT
Greenhouse Frost Protection Kit | Analogue Heater
£24.99 £49.99Price range: £29.99£24.99 through £59.99£49.99 incl. VATex. VAT
About Elixir Gardens Supplies
For over 35 years Elixir Garden Supplies have been providing gardeners with all the essentials they need to achieve growing.
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