HVAC for Cannabis Cultivation

Years ago, when technology had not progressed to the stage it has reached today, growing cannabis was quite the challenge.

Due to the temperature requirements and highly specific climate conditions attached to the cultivation of cannabis, it could only be grown in specific regions, and even then, cultivating cannabis to achieve the maximum crop yield possible was a very cumbersome task.

However, things have progressed since those times, and technology has reached a point where many experts in the field have introduced innovations which are essential to achieve total integration of specialized systems which are used to grow cannabis in specific rooms.

These grow room HVAC systems have gone through many changes ever since they were introduced to the legally licensed commercial market, and now, systems like EasyRoot’s Climate Control are known to be necessary infrastructure to any commercial grow for proper cannabis cultivation to achieve the best crop yield.

Let us discuss this in a bit more detail and understand what cultivation techniques can be used for cannabis cultivation and growth, as well as talk about some of the benefits and limitations of HVAC and other “All-in-one,” types of systems.

The Importance of Grow Room HVAC

One of the most critical determinants which have a direct impact on crop yield and the quality of the cultivation of cannabis is airflow.

When growing cannabis in a commercial facility, airflow, ventilation, and fresh air are required by mechanical building code because CO2 is run in the room, which cannot be allowed to reach unhealthy levels for human occupancy. Having a ventilation system that can exhaust the CO2 without overcooling the space is critical.

Cannabis plants are also known as tropical plants, and they require a warm and humid atmosphere in order to grow. However, balance is necessary because they will not be able to grow if the humidity is too much or too little.

These are particular climate conditions that are required by cannabis plants to achieve healthy growth and are difficult to achieve using natural means, and this is where cannabis HVAC comes in.

Specialized systems allow precise temperature control when setting the atmosphere for the grow room, giving you the ability to tweak the temperature and humidity set points to ensure optimal cannabis growth.

Things To Know Before Building a Cannabis Grow Room HVAC

As discussed earlier, a specialized HVAC system is essential when growing cannabis because it can set and maintain the optimal temperature, humidity and CO2 levels to guarantee maximum crop yield and quality.

However, there are some things every grower should keep in mind before creating an HVAC system for plant growth.

Planning Grow Room HVAC Design Beforehand

Preparation is very important when building a commercial grow room HVAC system, and in order to guarantee that the HVAC system is the most suitable, prepare a cultivation plan beforehand.

The basic condition that must be present in any cannabis growing facility to ensure proper growth is that it needs to contain capabilities that allow you to set a precise temperature, humidity and CO2 level, which is determined by the amount of water introduced to the plants, and the set points in the room.

Furthermore, for cannabis HVAC systems to be beneficial for you, they must be able to provide constant dehumidification 24/7; otherwise, it could lead to major losses in the form of low plant quality, yield, and possible risk of mold infestation as well.

Efficient Lighting Design for Plant Cultivation

Although specialized HVAC and installation of grow room dehumidifiers must be considered, an efficient lighting system is also important for cannabis growth and cultivation, as cannabis plants also have particular lighting conditions which must be taken into account as well.

When designing a lighting system for a grow room, instead of the brightness, the primary factor to be taken into account is the photosynthetically active radiation they give out.

Simply speaking, this is the light that certain grow lights give out that is useful for any plant which is capable of performing photosynthesis, and the best sources of light, in this case, are LED or HPS lamps.

However, it is not advised to choose the first light you find in the market because each light gives out different amounts of heat. Due to this, grow lights must be selected according to the specific PPFD needs which are required by the cannabis crop.

The Constraint Factors

Each grow facility will have its own limitations; here is a list of the most common factors.

Structural

Structurally there are often weight limitations for ceiling suspending equipment and roof mounting equipment. Easy Root’s indoor VRF equipment is less than 100 lbs, and the outdoor equipment is less than 700 lbs, making it a viable option for structurally constrained projects.

Ceiling Space

Running out of space in a tight grow room is a problem as old as indoor cultivation. With the need for so much equipment to maintain the desired environment that guarantees optimal growth while also maximizing yield potential, it becomes difficult to fit everything in one room. Easy Root’s HVAC systems are some of the most dimensionally compact on the market.

Electrical

With more cultivation operations popping up around the country in rural areas, commercial cultivation is seeing difficulty in providing enough electrical capacity to the grows servicing these areas. Rural or Urban, it’s critical to know and understand the amount and type of electricity coming into your grow facility, as it can often be a determining factor in the revenue produced from the eventual cannabis production.

Regulatory

City to city, we are seeing more areas increasing requirements for energy efficiency. Many cities also require substantial filtration for Odor Mitigation for Cannabis operations. Often times, certain certain efficiency rebates can come into play, offsetting costs for Easy Root’s HVAC-D systems.

How to Save Cost

The most advanced HVAC-D on the market today will typically score very high in efficiency ratings, expressed as EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) and IEER (Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio).

Easy Root’s Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC has an ever-expanding product portfolio, with IEER ratings exceeding 30, compared to a federally mandated baseline of 13 or 14 for new construction.

Along with high efficiency and ratings come lower electrical infrastructure and higher utility rebates to cut costs further.

Conclusion

VRF systems can be installed as ductless when sourced through EasyRoots, which can save costs on supports and ducting, while conserving valuable grow room space.

These dimensionally compact systems can dramatically reduce other construction costs, like wall and ceiling penetrations, wasted floor space, and unnecessary piping and pipe supports.

Unlike consumer shopping, the advertised price with commercial HVAC systems for cannabis is rarely as advertised when all factors are considered. With Easy Root’s engineering services, you can get a real understanding of the true cost of ownership.

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