Indoor Agriculture

• Maintaining consistent temperature and humidity levels within the grow space to promote optimal plant growth and prevent disease.
• Proper ventilation and air circulation are also crucial to ensure carbon dioxide levels remain at adequate levels and to prevent the buildup of harmful gasses like ethylene.
• Managing the heat generated by grow lights, which can significantly increase the indoor temperature. The HVAC system must be designed to handle the additional heat load to prevent overheating and protect the plants.
• Air quality and cleanliness of the grow space. Dust, mold, and other contaminants can negatively impact plant growth and introduce health risks to workers. Mold and fungus can damage crops and impact the profitability of a grow house.

When implementing HVAC solutions in an indoor agriculture facility, here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

Temperature and Humidity Control
Since indoor agriculture involves growing crops in a controlled environment, it is important to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level to optimize plant growth. HVAC systems must be designed to provide precise control of these parameters and maintain them within a narrow range.

Air Filtration
The air quality within indoor agriculture buildings is critical to maintaining plant health and preventing disease. HVAC systems must be equipped with high-efficiency air filters to remove airborne contaminants such as dust, mold, and bacteria.

CO2 and Oxygen Control
Plants require a certain level of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen to grow properly. HVAC systems must be designed to provide proper air exchange rates to maintain the correct levels of these gasses within the growing area.

Energy Efficiency
Indoor agriculture buildings require a significant amount of energy to maintain optimal growing conditions. HVAC systems must be designed with energy efficiency in mind to minimize operating costs.

System Reliability
In the event of an HVAC system failure, crops can quickly become compromised. It is important to design systems with redundant components to ensure that the environment remains stable in the event of an equipment failure.

The HVAC products recommended for indoor agriculture may vary based on the type of facility. Some HVAC products that are recommended for these facilities may include:

High-efficiency HVAC systems
Indoor agriculture requires precise control over temperature, humidity, and ventilation to ensure optimal plant growth. High-efficiency HVAC systems can help maintain consistent and precise environmental conditions while also reducing energy consumption and operating costs.

Dehumidifiers
Plants release moisture into the air, which can lead to high humidity levels that can promote mold and mildew growth and damage the building structure. Dehumidifiers can help regulate humidity levels and prevent excess moisture from causing problems. Many grow houses use stand alone dehumidifiers. However, these units do not necessarily achieve the desired goal and can actually make the HVAC perform poorly. Ideally, you want your dehumidification to be handled by your rooftop or split system. 

Air filtration systems
Indoor agriculture facilities need to maintain a clean and healthy environment to promote plant growth and prevent the spread of diseases. Air filtration systems can help remove dust, pollen, mold spores, and other contaminants from the air, improving air quality and preventing plant diseases.