Revolutionary Soil Heating for Modern Greenhouses

Root-zone heating warms the soil around a plant’s roots rather than heating the entire greenhouse air volume.

Maintaining a suitable soil temperature can support seed germination, root development, nutrient uptake, plant growth, and crop production during colder conditions.

HeatWAVE ribbons are installed beneath the growing area in an engineered layout. When energized, the flat heating elements generate heat that spreads through the surrounding soil or growing medium.

The system is controlled by soil-temperature sensors that help maintain the selected root-zone temperature.

Heating the entire greenhouse air volume can require significant energy, especially in cold climates or structures with high heat loss.

HeatWAVE directs heat closer to the root zone, where it can provide the greatest benefit to the plants. This may allow growers to maintain suitable soil temperatures without unnecessarily raising the temperature of the entire greenhouse.

Root-zone heating can also provide more consistent growing conditions near the plants.

HeatWAVE can help improve heating efficiency by directing energy toward the soil and root zone rather than relying entirely on space heating.

Actual energy savings depend on the greenhouse construction, outdoor climate, crop requirements, insulation, installation depth, control settings, and whether air heating is still required.

For many applications, soil heating is used alongside a lower greenhouse air temperature rather than replacing air heating completely.

In some mild conditions or specialized growing applications, root-zone heating may significantly reduce the need for air heating.

However, it does not always replace a greenhouse air-heating system. The greenhouse may still require air heating for frost protection, humidity control, plant canopy temperature, worker comfort, or crops that require warmer ambient conditions.

The appropriate heating strategy should be based on the greenhouse design and the needs of the crop.

HeatWAVE can be designed for a variety of greenhouse and horticultural applications, including:

• In-ground growing beds
• Raised beds
• Seed-starting areas
• Propagation zones
• Growing tables
• Benches and trays
• Root-zone heating
• Frost protection
• Seasonal growing structures
• Commercial greenhouse production
• Indoor agricultural facilities

Each system should be designed for the specific growing area and crop requirements.

HeatWAVE can be designed for suitable in-ground and soil-heating applications.

The installation method must account for soil moisture, drainage, installation depth, protection from tools and equipment, electrical safety, and the complete growing-bed construction.

Only HeatWAVE products approved for the intended installation environment should be used.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be designed for raised beds in greenhouses and other controlled-growing environments.

The ribbons are positioned within the bed assembly at a depth that distributes heat through the root zone while protecting the heating elements from gardening tools, anchors, and other potential damage.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be incorporated into suitable growing tables, propagation benches, and tray-heating assemblies.

The system may be installed beneath the growing surface or within an engineered bench assembly to provide consistent warmth to trays, pots, or growing media.

The exact installation method depends on the table materials, drainage, desired temperature, and crop type.

Yes. Controlled soil and growing-medium temperatures can support faster and more consistent seed germination.

HeatWAVE can be designed to maintain the temperature required for seed-starting and propagation areas. The correct temperature setting will depend on the plant species and growing method.

Yes. By maintaining warmer soil temperatures during cold weather, HeatWAVE can help growers begin production earlier in the season and continue growing later into the year.

The amount of season extension will depend on the greenhouse construction, crop, climate, air temperature, and the overall heating strategy.

HeatWAVE can help protect plant roots and the surrounding soil from freezing when it is properly designed and controlled.

Root-zone heating alone may not protect leaves, flowers, or fruit from cold air. Additional greenhouse air heating or frost-protection measures may still be required during severe conditions.

HeatWAVE uses a wide, flat heating ribbon rather than a conventional round cable.

The flat element creates broader contact with the surrounding soil or growing medium, helping distribute heat across a wider area. This can provide more uniform root-zone temperatures and reduce concentrated lines of heat.

Its low thermal mass also allows the ribbon to reach its operating temperature quickly when heating is required.

Hydronic soil-heating systems circulate heated water and glycol through buried tubing. These systems typically require a boiler or water heater, pumps, manifolds, piping, and fluid-maintenance components.

HeatWAVE converts electricity directly into heat within the growing area. It does not require boilers, circulation pumps, glycol, or water-filled tubing.

Its low-mass heating ribbons also respond quickly, allowing the system to operate according to soil temperature and growing requirements without first heating and circulating a large volume of fluid.

No. HeatWAVE can be controlled according to the actual soil temperature.

When the temperature drops below the selected setting, the controller activates the system. Once the desired temperature is reached, the system turns off until additional heat is required.

Operating time will vary depending on the outdoor temperature, greenhouse heat loss, soil moisture, insulation, crop requirements, and control settings.

The amorphous metal heating ribbons begin producing heat quickly because of their low thermal mass.

However, the time required to raise the soil temperature depends on the soil depth, moisture content, soil type, insulation, starting temperature, ribbon spacing, system output, and outdoor conditions.

Soil has significant thermal mass, so the system should be activated before extremely cold conditions whenever possible.

The ideal root-zone temperature depends on the crop, plant variety, growth stage, and growing method.

Seedlings, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and specialty crops may all require different temperatures. The system controls should be set according to the grower’s crop requirements or the recommendations of a qualified horticultural specialist.

HeatWAVE can be paired with a soil thermostat and temperature sensor installed within the growing area.

The sensor measures the temperature near the root zone and signals the controller to turn the heating system on or off as required.

Larger installations may use multiple sensors and independently controlled zones.

The sensor should be positioned within the representative root zone, away from the heating ribbon itself.

Placing the sensor too close to the heating element may cause it to read a higher temperature than the surrounding soil. The sensor location should reflect the actual temperature experienced by the plants.

The approved layout and control instructions should always be followed.

Yes. HeatWAVE systems can be divided into independently controlled heating zones.

Zoning allows growers to maintain different temperatures for:

• Different crops
• Seed-starting and mature plants
• Raised beds
• Propagation areas
• Separate greenhouse sections
• Areas with different sunlight exposure
• Seasonal or unused growing zones

This can provide greater flexibility and help avoid heating areas that are not currently in use.

Yes. Depending on the greenhouse layout, rows, beds, tables, or growing lanes may be divided into separate electrical zones.

This allows growers to operate only the areas required for current production or rotate heating according to crop schedules and available electrical capacity.

Remote monitoring and control options may be available depending on the selected control package.

These systems may allow growers to monitor soil temperatures, active zones, operating status, and alarms from a computer or mobile device.

Yes. Depending on the selected controls, HeatWAVE may be integrated with a greenhouse-management or building-management system.

Integration can allow the heating system to operate alongside ventilation, air heating, irrigation, humidity control, and other greenhouse equipment.

The available connection methods depend on the control equipment and communication requirements.

The required output depends on:

• Project location and climate
• Greenhouse construction
• Soil or growing-medium type
• Installation depth
• Insulation
• Desired soil temperature
• Outdoor and indoor air temperature
• Crop requirements
• Size of the growing area

Each project should be reviewed to determine the appropriate heating output and ribbon spacing.

Yes. Insulation is strongly recommended where the growing-bed construction allows it.

Insulation reduces downward heat loss, directs more energy toward the root zone, improves temperature response, and can lower operating costs.

The insulation must be suitable for the soil conditions, moisture exposure, structural loads, and installation environment.

Yes. Soil moisture can affect how quickly and evenly heat moves through the growing area.

Moist soil generally transfers heat more effectively than very dry soil, but excessive water or poor drainage may affect plant health and the overall installation.

The heating design should be coordinated with the greenhouse irrigation and drainage systems.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be designed to operate alongside drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, hydroponic components, drainage lines, and other greenhouse infrastructure.

The ribbon layout should be coordinated with all buried pipes, drains, valves, anchors, and irrigation equipment before installation.

Any soil-heating system can increase evaporation if the soil is maintained at a warmer temperature.

Soil moisture should be monitored and irrigation adjusted as necessary. Proper temperature controls help prevent the system from overheating the root zone or operating longer than required.

The correct depth depends on the crop, root depth, soil construction, heating output, ribbon spacing, and required temperature.

The ribbons should be close enough to warm the root zone efficiently while remaining protected from cultivation tools, digging, planting, and maintenance activities.

The approved TruHeat layout and installation instructions should always be followed.

The ribbons should be positioned to distribute heat throughout the root zone without being placed directly against roots or concentrated in one small area.

Proper spacing and installation depth help produce a more uniform soil temperature and reduce the risk of overheating.

No. The heating ribbons must never cross, overlap, touch one another, or be installed closer than the specified minimum spacing.

Improper installation may create excessive heat concentration and damage the system.

The ribbons must not be cut or shortened unless the system has been specifically designed for an approved field-termination method.

Ribbon lengths, spacing, electrical circuits, and connections must follow the engineered TruHeat system design.

The ribbons must be installed at the approved depth and within a properly prepared growing-bed assembly.

The location of the system should be clearly documented so workers do not damage it with shovels, stakes, tillers, anchors, or other equipment.

In some applications, a protective layer or barrier may be incorporated above the ribbons.

Work should stop immediately if a heating ribbon, protective jacket, lead cable, or connection is damaged.

The affected section should not be covered or energized. Contact TruHeat to determine whether an approved repair can be completed or whether the damaged section must be replaced.

Electrical testing should be completed before installation, during construction, and after the growing area has been completed.

Testing may include:

• Heating-element resistance measurements
• Insulation-resistance testing
• Continuity testing
• Grounding and shielding verification
• Sensor testing
• Controller testing
• Zone-by-zone commissioning

All readings should be recorded and retained with the project documentation.

HeatWAVE greenhouse and soil-heating systems can be designed for several electrical services, depending on the project size and location.

Available configurations may include:

• 120V
• 208V
• 240V
• 347V
• 600V

The appropriate voltage depends on the available electrical service, heating area, circuit design, and applicable electrical requirements.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be designed for small growing beds, propagation areas, or large commercial greenhouse facilities.

Larger systems may be divided into multiple zones and circuits to provide better temperature control, production flexibility, and electrical-load management.

In some projects, the growing area can be divided into zones that operate at different times.

Load sequencing or alternating zone operation may help manage the system within the available electrical capacity. The suitability of this approach depends on the greenhouse heat loss, crop requirements, and required soil temperature.

The heating ribbons should be installed by qualified contractors working from the approved system layout and TruHeat installation requirements.

All permanent wiring, electrical circuits, control panels, transformers, relays, and commissioning must be completed by qualified electrical professionals in accordance with applicable codes.

The buried heating ribbons contain no moving parts and generally require minimal maintenance after installation.

The soil sensors, thermostats, control panels, contactors, electrical connections, and protective devices should be inspected periodically to confirm proper operation.

No. HeatWAVE is an electric heating system and does not require a boiler, circulation pump, glycol mixture, manifolds, or fluid-pressure maintenance.

This creates a simpler heating system with fewer mechanical components to service.

Yes. TruHeat can review greenhouse plans and provide:

• Heating-ribbon layouts
• Recommended heating output
• Ribbon-spacing guidance
• Circuit and electrical requirements
• Heating-zone recommendations
• Temperature-control guidance
• Installation details

Early coordination with the greenhouse designer, grower, electrician, irrigation contractor, and installation team is recommended.

TruHeat may request:

• Project location
• Greenhouse or growing-area dimensions
• Type of crop
• Desired soil temperature
• Soil or growing-medium details
• Growing-bed depth
• Insulation information
• Greenhouse construction
• Available voltage and electrical capacity
• Irrigation and drainage plans
• Preferred heating zones
• Control and monitoring requirements

Complete project information allows the system to be designed more accurately.

The Amorphous HeatWAVE system is backed by a 15-year limited warranty when it is designed, installed, tested, and documented in accordance with TruHeat requirements.

Refer to the official warranty documentation for complete terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Send TruHeat the greenhouse plans, growing-area dimensions, soil or bed construction, project location, crop requirements, desired soil temperature, available voltage, and electrical capacity.

The TruHeat team can then recommend the appropriate heating output, ribbon layout, zoning plan, electrical configuration, and control system.