Recent Greenhouse Property Appraisal
Recent commercial appraisal of a greenhouse property. The greenhouse employs various aquaponic and hydroponic methods for food production. The 20,000 SF +/- building was recently renovated and uses a “cool cell” wall, “climate battery” and various retractable wall/roof openings to mostly self-regulate thermal conditioning of the building. This is able to provide a large portion of the property’s heating and cooling needs through mostly passive, low cost means.
The cool cell wall apply’s the general framework of evaporative cooling, into the actual wall. It works by way of air flowing through the wall (when opened) and then through evaporative coils with re-circulating water. The water and coils reduce the air temperature coming out, creating cool air. This system is considered highly energy efficient when compared to a traditional air conditioner that would otherwise require large energy demands for a space of this size. It is a great example of how active and passive cooling systems can be combined in a commercial application to greatly reduce energy loads on the building. Colorado is a prime candidate for evaporative cooling systems which work better in dry climates.
The climate battery is an iteration of geothermal. This heating method is designed to work by capturing warm air that resides towards the upper portions of the greenhouse and moving the air below grade into geo-regulated tubing. The warm air is later released at night or when needed. Because the roof of the building is mostly transparent (polycarbonate), natural, passive heat gain occurs in periods of sunshine.
Unwanted heat gain and additional natural cooling is generated by integrating retractable roof and wall apertures. The openings allow warm air to escape naturally simply by opening.
The entirety of the passive and active heating and cooling systems are designed to be integrated into an automatic building control interface, similar to a thermostat, wherein the systems will work together and to varying degrees to accomplish a specific temperature of the space.
The property also has traditional heating methods for periods of limited sunshine. Read more about the property and what this non-profit is doing here.
The property is located in Denver County.
