Essential Equipment Needed for a Commercial Grow House

As legislation governing the cultivation of cannabis continues to change across the United States, new growers are anticipating long-term cultivation projects while experienced farmers are planning expansion of their current operations. You need the right grow house equipment to ensure plant health and maximize your yield. 

Commercial growers rely on a combination of advanced technology, automation and a reliable gas supply to improve grow house efficiency.

Core Industrial Grow House Equipment

Before setting up your grow house, it is important to understand the materials you will need to have a successful crop. Start with this indoor growhouse checklist.

LED Grow Lights

Grow lights are essential grow house equipment needed to mimic sunlight and promote photosynthesis, a process that uses light to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water for cannabis growth. Common options include:

• Light-emitting diode (LED): These lights tend to cost more upfront, but their energy efficiency, customizable spectrum, long lifespan and lower heat output will save money in the long term. 
• Light-emitting ceramic (LEC): Grow lights — also called ceramic metal halide (CMH) or ceramic discharge metal halide (CDM) lights — are high-intensity discharge lamps that use ceramic arc tubes. The ceramic tube allows the bulb to operate at a higher temperature. This produces a light spectrum closer to natural sunlight and improves color rendering. 
• High-pressure sodium (HPS): High-intensity discharge lamps known for their orange-yellow light are often used in streetlights and grow rooms. The lights pass an electric current through an industrial gas mixture that includes sodium, mercury and xenon, in a translucent ceramic arc tube, generating light. HPS lights are particularly strong in the red and yellow parts of the spectrum, which helps plants to flower. 

Automated timers and control systems can adjust light cycles for different growth stages, fostering the ideal light environment for cannabis plants to thrive. 

HVAC and Climate Control Systems

Whether achieved with robust heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or individual units, climate control is crucial for maintaining optimal growing conditions in indoor grow houses for plant health and yield.

These solutions help maintain optimal temperature, humidity and air quality to prevent mold and disease and promote healthy plant growth. Common climate control grow house equipment includes:

• Air conditioners.
• Dehumidifiers.
• Ventilation systems.

Temperature control maintains a consistent temperature range, which is 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit for cannabis. 

Ductwork and exhaust fans are used for larger indoor areas. If you’d prefer a system that manages all or most of climate control for you, look at a split system that has separate heating and cooling components, or an integrated system that controls temperature, air quality and humidity.

Proper climate control helps prevent unwanted mold growth, pests and plant stress.

CO2 Enrichment and Gas Supply

CO2 enrichment and gas supply are essential items on the indoor grower’s checklist. Gases used commonly in the grow house environment include:

• CO2: Carbon dioxide boosts photosynthesis, resulting in faster growth and higher yields. CO2 cannabis enrichment is one of the most effective ways to grow healthy foliage and prolific buds. The plants turn light into energy, strengthening the branches and buds and allowing the plant to generate higher amounts of resin. 
• Hydrocarbon extraction: This method uses butane (C4H10), propane (C₃H₈) or a combination to separate cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and terpenes — the compounds responsible for cannabis’s aroma, flavor and color. Hydrocarbon solvents separate the plant’s components without damaging their structural integrity. 
• Propane: Consider using low-emission propane to generate consistent heat in your grow house. This versatile fuel can power forced-air furnaces, keeping building temperatures optimal, and bottom-heat boilers, warming water used for flowers and plants requiring warmer soil.

Gases are supplied in cylinders, microbulk or bulk systems, depending on scale. Partner with a network of independent distributors who can provide support to help you develop the right approach to suit your crops and cannabis grow house equipment.

Irrigation and Fertigation Systems

Irrigation and fertigation are essential for the precise delivery of water and nutrients. 

Automated irrigation systems allow plants to receive consistent moisture. Drip irrigation is a popular choice for grow houses because it delivers water to the root system, reducing water loss and maximizing nutrient uptake. Overhead sprinklers and micro-irrigation are other options for grow house watering.

Fertigation is the process of delivering nutrients directly through the irrigation system. Automated systems can deliver precise nutrients to the plants and include sensors that monitor pH and electrical conductivity levels, adjusting acid content and nutrient levels as needed.

Dehumidifiers and Humidity Control

Keeping moisture at the right level in your grow house is crucial for proper plant growth. Humidity control improves water and nutrient uptake, allows year-round growth, minimizes the risk of disease, mold and mildew and saves operational energy consumption. Important considerations include:

• Components: If you opt for passive ventilation grow house equipment, you will need to rely on your grow house design to help replace humid air with cooler, drier air from outside. An active ventilation system uses exhaust and air circulation fans to maintain ideal humidity levels, prevent mold and disease and create optimal year-round growing conditions. Look for custom solutions that can fit any space and will serve you from startup to expanded operation.
• Automation: Sensors and controllers adjust dehumidifiers as needed. They can be monitored and adjusted from multiple devices on automated operating platforms. When opting for automation, you’ll be able to access backup, reconfigure and set up operational cycles for your dehumidifiers and humidity control.  

Safety and Compliance Essentials

Cannabis cultivators must pay particular attention to safety issues, including gas detection, fire safety and security systems that will require regular testing and maintenance. Explore these safety essentials and best practices:

• Gas detection solutions: Grow house equipment includes detectors for CO2, carbon monoxide (CO) and other gases like ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4) and propane (C3H8). The best grow houses use CO2 for plant growth, but high concentrations can be dangerous for workers. Use fixed and wireless gas detection systems to monitor these levels. Since combustion heaters can produce carbon monoxide, make sure you’re able to detect any leaks.
• Fire safety systems: Smoke and fire alarms are crucial for the early detection of fires so that occupants can be alerted. The alarm system should be inspected, tested and serviced on a regular basis. 
• Security systems: Cannabis cultivators must install access control to their commercial grow houses to manage entry and exit. Surveillance cameras with specific resolution and recording features are required to run 24/7 with on and off-site monitoring. 
• Training: To keep your commercial grow house running smoothly, take a proactive approach to safety by looking for and fixing hazards before they cause harm. Train workers on the proper use of gas detection equipment and safety protocols. 

Partner With Meritus Gas Partners for Your Grow House Needs

Working with local experts when setting up a hydrocarbon extraction or CO2 enrichment system will benefit your commercial grow house. Meritus Gas Partners is a network of independent distributors with the knowledge and gas solutions to help you maximize your plant-growing needs. We provide technical support to determine the right approach for your crops and facility.

By working with our partners, you can access high-quality supplemental CO2, fast and reliable delivery of local inventory and help with compliance and safety requirements.

Now that you’re aware of the equipment needed for a grow house, are you ready to maximize your commercial efficiency and yield? Contact a Meritus Gas Partner for a consultation, quote or technical support.