Plants grown in greenhouses need the optimal climate conditions to grow optimally and efficiently. The climate in a greenhouse consists not only of temperature conditions, but also humidity, light, fertilizer, watering, etc.
Greenhouses are fragile ecosystems, and to ensure the best growing conditions, high-quality climate control is needed. The different climate elements and processes need to be adapted to each other – and this is most effectively done through electronic climate control.
Why climate control is essential for your production
Climate control enables you to monitor and control complex processes in your greenhouse, creating the most optimal climate for your plants.
All commercial growers are very knowledgeable about their own crops, but despite this, manual climate control creates a lack of controllability and data insight. You may know the right temperature, the correct amount of light and the optimal watering process. But do you know if the conditions could be even better – resulting in increased plant quality?
Electronic climate control brings many benefits to your production. The biggest benefit comes from focusing on data, making your production processes and your entire business much more intelligent.
The data allows you to investigate optimal growing conditions across seasons so you can manage your future climate based on past data – and it also gives you a visual insight to better understand different processes. All this will lead to increased production and higher product quality.
Automate climate control to save resources and avoid waste
The more precisely you are able to control the climate in your greenhouse, the more beneficial it is for you and your plants. Accuracy comes with automation.
Automation is key to improving efficiency and saving resources as more processes and adjustments are handled automatically by the climate computer – when they are most needed.
Automatic climate control further eliminates multiple manual errors through continuous monitoring, accurate control and the ability to alert you if errors occur. The accuracy, controllability and error prevention help you save energy, water and nutrients because the system automatically adapts to certain conditions – or alerts you to inappropriate conditions.
6 key benefits of electronic climate control
- Increase production yields
- Ensure higher plant quality
- Improve efficiency and save resources
- Prevent waste of energy, water and fertilizer
- Improve growth through precise control
- Ensure minimum errors with user-friendly and data-driven climate computers
The degree of climate control depends on your needs
All sizes of greenhouses can benefit from electronic climate control. The larger the production, the greater the need for electronic climate control as vital savings can be made.
Smaller greenhouses can also benefit from climate control – the choice of climate computer will just vary.
It is important to always assess the need based on your production and greenhouse, and here are some of the considerations you should make when choosing a climate computer:
- Firstly, the choice of climate computer depends on the number of departments you have in your greenhouse. If you have more than one department, you need to assess whether you need multiple -1 department computers or if you need a climate computer that can control multiple departments in the same system.
- Secondly, if you have LED lights installed in your greenhouse, it will be beneficial for you to choose a climate computer where you can integrate the control of the LED lights. That way you will be able to control all climate from just one system.
- Thirdly, the requirements of how advanced a system you need will influence your choice of computer. If you need a visual overview, broader data collection and control of as many functions as possible, you will need a more advanced computer with a large capacity.
- The final consideration is to assess whether you may need to expand or change your production in the future. If you plan to expand with more departments or cultures in the future, you need a climate computer that can expand and keep up with your production needs.
Different climate computers – adapted to different needs
Logic Climate Control (LCC) computers from DGT by Senmatic control all types of climate, and there are 3 different versions that can be adapted to the different needs of a manufacturer – from the basic version to the more advanced. The software in all variants supports future expansions, so you only need to purchase new hardware – not new software. This is a primary advantage that makes DGT by Senmatic climate computers stand out from other climate computers on the market.
LCC4: The high capacity climate computer
LCC4 – the climate computer with big capacity. It can control up to 16 different compartments from the same computer, with an expansion box connected to each compartment; the computer gives instructions, the box performs the task.
The LCC4 is for growers who need advanced climate control, but it is extremely user-friendly. It communicates via Ethernet with the installed expansions – making it a flexible solution if future expansions are needed where you only need to purchase new hardware, not new software.
LCC1 for the smaller greenhouse
LCC1’s features allow you to control the most important climate conditions in your greenhouse without being quite as advanced as LCC2 and LCC4. With LCC1 you don’t have access to data collection through SuperLink, nor is it as flexible if you have plans for future expansion. However, the LCC1 gives you far more automated and precise monitoring and control than manual climate control.
LCC1 includes the following features:
- The software supports future hardware expansion
- 1 heating valve
- 2 fans
- 1 shade curtain
- 1 grow light
- 1 irrigation valve
- Alarm output
- Available in multiple languages
Choose the right advisor before you choose your climate control
Before you choose the optimal climate computer for your production needs, you need competent advice.
At DGT by Senmatic, we have more than 60 years of experience and insight in horticulture and climate control. Several of our consultants are trained in horticulture, which is why we have a great understanding of the conditions you face as a commercial producer.
We have a great interest in your business and in creating strong relationships with our customers. We are advisors much more than sales consultants and we value close dialog with each of our customers and partners.
Our product range includes innovative solutions, ensuring low downtime and high efficiency. And the better we know your business and your production, the better we can help you find the optimal climate control for your needs.
