Warming mat for a cool room

9 years ago

Does anyone use, or know of, a warming mat of some sort that I could use under some winter herbs in my unheated sun room? I know all about the seedling mats, but they may be too warm, and most of them are small. I want to place a larger mat on a small table, maybe two feet by three feet, to keep the area a little warmer on cloudy days and at night. On a cold night, especially after a sunless day, the room can dip into the mid forties, and that's too cold for things like basil. If we have a sunny day, the temperature can be seventy or more, and the heating mat won't need to be on, so I would want something with a thermostat control.

I appreciate any help. Thanks! I hope you all enjoy the holidays.

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finn6b

9 years ago

An electrician told me, that they will order any size or shape. Its worth checking out !

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Comments (9)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
9 years ago
I don't know, but I wonder about things designed for young animals. Or would an electric blanket have low enough settings?
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
9 years ago
A seedling mat with a thermostat will do what you want. I'd be careful of something not designed for plants because of the risk of shorting out if it gets wet.
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Jennifer
9 years ago
Check out the heating mats and thermostats at Greenhousemegastore.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
9 years ago
Good point, Mad Gal. Most heating pads are waterproof, but I don't know about other things. Much better to be safe.
Persimmons
9 years ago
I have a larger, stand-alone radiator that works pretty well at heating and circulating air. It makes managing the moisture of the air/soil a bit trickier, but it does the job better than a mat because the air is easier to heat. I find that a cloudy day can't compete with the radiator and some times I don't realize I'm not in a greenhouse...
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finn6b
9 years ago
Try an electric floor mat, used beneath bathroom tiles. It can be sandwiched between 2 layers cement board and has its own thermostat. Any electrical supply ,will inform you!!
bill_ri_z6b
Original Author
9 years ago
Persimmons, - is that one of those oil-filled electric ones? I have been considering one of those, but I have read mixed reviews.

Finn, - that's not a bad idea, but what's the smallest that they come in? Seems they would be pretty big.
Persimmons
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It sounds like there is a fluid inside of the radiator portion of the machine. I'm inclined to think it's water (because of the speed it flows when the machine is moved), but it's not impossible that it's oil and I bet you're thinking of the machine I'm using.

The upsides to my radiator are that it's a thermostat-style control with easy to use buttons, it's relatively small and stores away easily when we aren't using it, and it generates plenty of heat, and remains hot for a while once it's "off". The downsides to my radiator are that it's difficult to move once it is hot (two of the wheels broke over time, there is only one "safe" handle) and it dries up the air significantly if it's run for a while. I remedy this by only using it when the temps are very low and watering a few of the larger plants immediately before turning it on.

So far, the heater is successfully warming two avocados, a Norfolk pine, a pineapple, sensitive plant, a lemon tree, and few others but it does the trick!