Interesting idea about that heater. However, I’ve built such a good root cellar that that much heat might make it too warm. I once had two 40-watt bulbs going in there, and even at -40 degrees F I was getting temps in the high 30s, which is a wee bit too warm for my veggies and butter. I suspect 150 watts would turn the place into a sauna.
Now if I could get a thermostat which would turn it on and off when the temperature went below, let’s say, 33 degrees, when it might even make it more energy efficient.
We live in a place with real grinding poverty, though, and the technology involved with a lamp and a bulb are available to just about everyone. And it works. And when the bulb burns out, I don’t have to call Fairbanks and wait two weeks for it to arrive.
My greenhouse, on the other hand, would a great place for that kind of low level heat. Thanks.
“Now if I could get a thermostat which would turn it on and off when the temperature went below, let’s say, 33 degrees, “
I use a cheap thermostat that I got from an abandoned building. I aim for two temps, depending on just what I’m doing, 4C and 35C.
And heck yes, if it works you should not have to worry that FedGov is going to mess with you over a commodity like incan bulbs!
A line voltage themostat should be readily available. Hmmm, let me take a look.
Here is one:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DAYTON-Line-Voltage-Control-2E815
Wire that to turn the light bulb on and off. I’d use two light bulbs so you’d have some back up on your heat source, and maybe have a switch wired in parallel with the thermostat so it would also be your light source when you were in the “refrigerated” root cellar.