Grow rooms have become increasingly popular in different industries, especially in the agriculture sector. These spaces typically rely on uninterrupted power to keep things running smoothly, so when unplanned outages happen, having a backup generator for grow rooms can help minimize product losses. Large scale grow rooms can have millions of dollars’ worth of plants, and one power outage can cost far more than installing and maintaining a backup generator.

Choosing the right generator is vital to a successful grow room operation, so explore some of the most important factors to consider below.

Looking for an introduction to the world of used generators? Check out our free Buyer’s Guide to find your way towards reliable power for your next project.

What is a grow room?

A grow room is a chamber or room where plants grow in a controlled environment. It’s an indoor space dedicated to growing plants.

Because these plants are indoors, they require careful around-the-clock maintenance. For this reason, many devices and equipment provide water, light, and nutrition to the plants and maintain the atmospheric conditions of the space.

While almost all grow rooms house plants, the kind of plants may vary widely depending on the purpose or industry. The size of the grow room also varies greatly.

Some of the most common uses of grow rooms are to grow houseplants, food, and medical cannabis.

It’s worth mentioning that urban farming, which is rapidly expanding worldwide to meet growing food needs, also utilizes grow rooms for indoor cultivation in city spaces where traditional agricultural land is unavailable.

Equipment used in grow rooms

Grow rooms are quite power-hungry as all the equipment in these growing spaces runs on electricity. Some of the most crucial devices in grow rooms include:

Grow lights
Grow systems (for example, auto hydroponics)
Humidifiers/dehumidifiers
Fans and exhaust
Temperature control devices
CO generators
Water pumps
Timers
Air purifiers

Because all of these appliances are crucial to maintaining a functional grow room, reliable power is paramount to a successful operation.

Why is a backup generator important for a grow room?

Grow rooms rely on crucial equipment nearly 24/7, regardless of their size. Depending on the plants, a disruption of only a few hours or minutes could negatively affect the growing conditions. This can be disastrous for large-scale industrial grow rooms and result in heavy losses.

Power failures result from various events, including natural disasters, blackouts, emergency shutdowns, or even regular maintenance.

The grow rooms that rely solely on the power grid for power supply always risk a power outage. Rather than taking such a huge risk, it’s best to have a backup generator on standby that provides power to all the equipment and keeps the conditions optimal. Other tactics might include maintaining a generator-powered microgrid that can run independently from the main power grid when needed.

Weather emergencies are notorious for causing power outages. Both winter snowstorms and spring/summer rainstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves can result in power outages.

Under such extreme weather conditions, there’s an even higher need to maintain the right conditions inside the grow room, and the machines will need to work harder to maintain those conditions. That, in turn, means they need a non-stop power supply to keep running.

In short, a backup generator is necessary year-round to ensure plants grow just as they should and production thrives.

Types of generators for grow room

Not all grow rooms are alike, and neither are their power needs. There are several options when it comes to generators for grow rooms. Here are the most common types:

Diesel Generators

Diesel generators are most common for industrial applications, so they can also be used for large-scale grow rooms. These are sturdy, long-lasting commercial generators that can function as the primary power source or backup generator.

Diesel generators that are installed should be sure to meet any local Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards.

These types of generators are also quite large and require a dedicated space and expert installation. They also require decommissioning once they are out of use.

Natural Gas Generators

Natural gas generators are more economical and eco-friendly than gasoline or diesel generators. Since natural gas is cheaper, these generators cost much less to run. Similarly, they produce fewer emissions than gasoline or diesel generators.

Because grow rooms focus on going green, natural gas generators may seem like the more appropriate choice. However, keep in mind that these generators require more frequent maintenance than diesel or gasoline generators.

Also, natural gas generators rely on a consistent supply of natural gas, which may also be disrupted during emergencies, rendering the generator useless.

In smaller grow rooms for commercial and personal use, portable generators are more than enough to provide power during emergencies. These generators must be configured with the main power supply and can run on gas, natural gas, or diesel.

Portable Generators

How to Pick a Generator for Industrial Grow Rooms

Here’s what you should consider when buying a generator for your grow room:

Size (Power Output): The size of the generator in terms of power output should be the primary consideration. It should ideally be 25% percent more than the peak power demand of your grow rooms.
Size (Dimensions): The actual physical size of the generator is also an important consideration because you must have the space to accommodate it, as the installation is permanent.
Industry Standards and Regulations: Check the industry standards for generators and look for any certifications to ensure those regulations and standards are met.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to ensure your generator is ready to run when you need it. Maintenance costs can add up in the long run, and ideally, you want a generator with minimal maintenance requirements.

Backup power that grows your business

Grow rooms are beneficial for the planet, as they grow plants that offset carbon emissions and produce food to meet the increasing demand. However, they rely on the efficient operation of all the equipment that makes up a grow room.

Without a backup generator, there’s always a risk of an operational disruption and productivity loss because of power failures. While it’s necessary for large-scale commercial or industrial grow rooms, even smaller grow rooms should have a backup power option.

Depco can help you find the right fit for your grow room to keep your business up and running. If you need help finding the right unit, reach out to one of our Power Expers today. Or, consult our Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Used Generators.