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Calcimator

CO₂ Enrichment Calculator

Calculate CO₂ injection rate and cost to reach target PPM in a greenhouse accounting for air exchange and plant uptake.

Inputs

ft
ft
ft
ppm
ppm
hrs
$/lb

Results

Injection Rate

2.43 lbs/hr

Monthly Cost

$109.19

≈ 7 movie tickets

Greenhouse Volume34,560 cu ft
PPM Increase600 ppm
Initial CO₂ Fill2.37 lbs
CO₂ Flow Rate21.2 CFH
Daily CO₂ Usage24.27 lbs
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your greenhouse interior dimensions (length, width, height in feet) to establish the total air volume.
  2. Enter ambient CO₂ (typically ~400 ppm) and your target CO₂ level — 1,000 ppm is a common starting point for enhanced growth.
  3. Enter air exchanges per hour and daily enrichment hours (inject only during lit hours when plants are photosynthesizing).
  4. Enter your CO₂ cost per pound to get Daily CO₂ Usage (lbs) and Monthly Cost.
  5. Use the Injection Rate (lbs/hr) and CO₂ Flow Rate (CFH) to size your regulator and distribution system.

How the result changes with Target CO₂

Target CO₂Injection RateMonthly Cost
5600.69 lbs/hr$31.02
9602.27 lbs/hr$102.09
1,4404.16 lbs/hr$187.37
1,8405.74 lbs/hr$258.43

What each input means

Greenhouse Length
Interior length.
Greenhouse Width
Interior width.
Average Height
Average interior height including ridge.
Ambient CO₂
Outdoor CO₂ level (typically ~420 ppm).
Target CO₂
Desired CO₂ concentration for enhanced growth.
Air Exchanges/Hour
How many times the greenhouse air turns over per hour.
Enrichment Hours/Day
Hours per day CO₂ is injected (typically during light hours).
CO₂ Cost
Cost of CO₂ per pound (bulk liquid or generated).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Greenhouse Length = 96, Greenhouse Width = 30, Average Height = 12, Ambient CO₂ = 400 = 8 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Injection Rate
    Injection Rate
    2.43 = 2.43
  3. Calculate Monthly Cost
    Monthly Cost
    109.19 = $109.19
  4. Calculate Greenhouse Volume
    Greenhouse Volume
    34560 = 34560
  5. Calculate PPM Increase
    PPM Increase
    600 = 600

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