Heating up the house

[Brezzy99]

I live in Georgia where summers are extremely hot and humid. Both of my beardies live in the living room where the lights heat the house up a lot. Are there any enclosures that contain the heat a little better with less wattage? Right now they both have 40g glass enclosures with 150w basking bulbs. I have switched them to 75w on warm days already because 150w gets too hot. Right now it's a lot of switching bulbs to ensure the temps stay right. Moving them isn't an option because they love the interaction and watching tv.

 

[PhotoBug]

Have you tried a dimmer on your basking lights? Guess it only works tho if you are there to monitor the temps thru out the day. Hopefully someone from the south can help! Good luck.

 

[Brezzy99]

I thought about a dimmer but since I am home all day I can check temps and adjust if needed. I just don't want to live in a sauna for the next several months. Thanks for the suggestion. I may go get one tomorrow and fiddle with it on a spare enclosure.

 

[PhotoBug]

I hear ya.....I use a dimmer and really like it. My Beardie likes it warmer in the morning hours and a bit cooler in the afternoon hours. I am finally starting to understand her!!

There are so many types of enclosure...I'm sure someone will be able to give you a good suggestion!!

 

[Jaskotch]

A dimmer is a great addition regardless of enclosure material. But… a melamine enclosure is far better than glass for holding the heat. Also, using rocks and slate in the enclosure helps.

 

[jarich]

What you need is a dimming thermostat. That way you can simply set the temperature you want and the light will dim as appropriate. If you are looking to contain the heat, it's the screen top that is the issue, not the glass. Glass is actually better at retaining heat than wood or other building materials.

 

[Jaskotch]

sorry i have to disagree. unless you are talking about double paned windows, glass has nowhere near the R value of melamine.
in practice i have seen this with my enclosure, which is melamine with glass sliding front doors. it stays much warmer overnight in the enclosure if i hang a towel over the front (the glass). single paned 1/8" or 1/4" glass is not considered to be an insulating material.

 

[Brezzy99]

I picked up a dimmer today so going to try it out tomorrow. I have some designs drawn up for a melamine enclosure. They will be stacked so my bigger one will stop staring my little one down. Getting this made is a top priority now. Thank you!

 

[jarich]

sorry i have to disagree. unless you are talking about double paned windows, glass has nowhere near the R value of melamine.
in practice i have seen this with my enclosure, which is melamine with glass sliding front doors. it stays much warmer overnight in the enclosure if i hang a towel over the front (the glass). single paned 1/8" or 1/4" glass is not considered to be an insulating material.

You can disagree, but simply checking the r value of both will show you that you are incorrect. Your enclosure stays warmer with the towel because you are stopping the air transfer, not because of the insulating value of the materials. You're also trying to compare 1/8 inch glass to what is likely 1/2 or 3/4 inch melamine. Either way, a wood enclosure is obviously an improvement in this case as it's then a sealed top so that the heat doesn't escape. I don't usually recommend melamine as it's useless around any moisture, doesn't hold up over time well, and contains quite a lot of toxic material. Plywood lasts longer and is much stronger. Totally the builders choice though!

 

[Jaskotch]

I'm comparing 1/8" or 1/4" glass because that is what is likely to be found in an aquarium. There is little to no air transfer at the glass panels on my enclosure, they fit tight and I use weatherstripping at the joints to keep the ladybugs out. There is air transfer at the vents in the back and on the sides of the melamine, which also makes this a superior construction to a glass aquarium… but that's another issue. The melamine comes sealed, but regardless of that there is no moisture in my enclosure. Plywood would require some sort of chemical sealant to be applied to even be comparable.

 

[PhotoBug]

Good luck Brezzy and let us know how it goes!!