Climate control is a key cost factor in greenhouse operation. Even small measurement inaccuracies can lead to incorrect VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) calculations, which is the difference between the maximum possible and actual air humidity. Incorrect VPD calculations result in inefficient ventilation, unnecessary heating, and excessive humidification. The VPD is a critical control variable for plant transpiration. If the VPD is too low or too high, plants react by reducing their nutrient uptake which is an inefficient energy use.

E+E sensors offer outstanding measurement accuracy:

• Temperature: ±0.1 °C
• Humidity: ±1.3 % RH
• CO₂: ±50 ppm

These accuracies lead to actual savings.  For example: In a 5-hectare greenhouse with an average daily energy consumption of 60,000 kWh, an imprecise VPD calculation of just ±0.2 kPa can lead to up to 30 % higher energy consumption. This corresponds to 18,000 kWh – or approx. $1,800 in additional daily costs (at an electricity price of $0.10/kWh). Using high-precision sensors helps to avoid these losses by increasing yield, create more cost-effective stable growing conditions, and significantly reducing operating costs.

E+E sensors support common communication protocols such as Modbus RTU, as well as analog and digital output signals, including 4–20 mA and 0–10 V. In addition, the output signals can be individually configured, enabling seamless integration into existing control architectures. Thanks to this flexibility, the sensor solutions are ideally suited for retrofit projects in traditional greenhouse control systems and modern IoT- or cloud-based climate management platforms. Integration requires no additional programming and saves valuable time during commissioning.

In large-scale or hard-to-reach installations, sensor replacement must be quick, straightforward and tool-free. E+E Elektronik offers sensors with a modular design.  These allow sensor modules to be replaced within seconds without disassembling the entire device or performing time-consuming recalibration. This maintenance-friendly construction minimises downtime and significantly reduces operating costs.