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Solar Energy Storage in Arizona

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This is a great example of how thermal mass can be effectively used to cut energy costs in a greenhouse.

I've been reading the discussion about using water to help maintain the temperature in the greenhouse and would just like to make a few comments. One is that for this technique to work you need really large quantities of water—a few five gallon containers is not going to be enough. I have a 10 by 23 foot attached greenhouse and I have 14-55 gallon drums filled with water that are against the north wall of the greenhouse (the house wall) along with a row of five gallon pails against the south wall. While I live in Arizona and don't have the winter temperature extremes of most of you I have found the water makes a substantial difference in my greenhouse. My greenhouse rarely goes below 45°F (without a heater) even during a cold winter were we get freezing weather at night frequently. During the summer before I put in the water the temperature could soar into 150°F+ temps and now it can get to 120° but rarely higher. (I now have a evaporative cooler and heater installed). Without the water my greenhouse temperatures would fluctuate wildly between night and day-and increase my energy bills. At night it would get to cold except for the hardiest of plants and during the day I would not have been able to even grow cactus. The key to understanding the water technique is to understand that it MODERATES TEMPERATURE CHANGE and does not set the temperature. If you have the space this is a good way to control the temperature in your greenhouse but like most things has its good and bad points.
from Nora Graf, quoted from the Hobby Greenhouse Association discussion list.

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