Grow Room Advice

Advantages of Using LED Lights

Why use LED grow lights?

Updated Friday 14th January 2022

What are LED Lights?

LED stands for light-emitting diode they are an advanced technology that convert electricity directly into light using a grid of hundreds of chips (diodes). LEDs produce light when an electrical current is passed through a semiconductor emitting light energy.


Advantages of LED Lights

  • They give off less heat

LED lights run more efficiently as they produce more photons per watt and hence making them cooler. This is better to use in grow rooms as too much heat can reduce the airflow to plants from the increase of moisture and condensation. 

Whilst LEDs are already cooler, some models have built-in cooling fans which can help improve the efficiency of the energy and help the LEDs last longer.

  • They’re more energy efficient

According to the Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the energy savings are dramatic. Vegetative grow lamps require a 600 watt (W) HID, compared to a 300 W LED. The annual savings in a grow room operating 365 days a year equates to 2,600 kilowatt-hours (kWh). 

You could be saving up to 31%-35% more electricity per square foot of growing area if you switch to an LED growing lamp; this is due to LEDs producing more light, watt for watt.  

  • They’re easy to use

LED lights require little to no-set up and can be plugged straight into a standard wall socket. Unlike a traditional grow lamp, LEDs don’t require extra components such as a reflector or separate bulbs.

  • More of the light is available to the plant

An LED lamp is made up of individual, single-coloured diodes. We always recommend an LED that uses Samsung, Osram or Lumileds diodes as these are the most efficient at producing light that is usable to the plant (measured in µmol/J).

An LED can range from 2.3 µmol/J up to 2.9 µmol/J dependant on the model, whereas an HID produces approximately 1.4 µmol/J.

  • The cost has gone down with time

A criticism of LEDs is their upfront cost; they tend to be more expensive than other growing lights. This was due to them being so expensive to make but with technological improvements LED lights are becoming cheaper with each passing year. Even though their upfront cost is greater than other lights the overall cost of keeping LEDs is overall cheaper as they have better energy efficiency, therefore saving you money in the long run.  

  • They last longer 

On average LEDs last around 50,000 hours this is compared to MH bulbs that last around 10,000 and HPS bulbs which last around 16,000 hours. 

As well as lasting longer, LEDs also maintain their brightness unlike HIDs which get dimmer the more they’re used. This helps to offset the higher upfront costs as they are last longer and more efficient.



Limitations of LED Lights

  • Initial Up Front Cost Is High

Even though there has been a decrease of initial prices of LED lights it is still more expensive than HIDs. So if you have a lower upfront budget for growing lights LEDs may be a large cost but to look at the cost in the long run LEDs lifetime cost is lower and therefore is a better investment. 

  • Light Burn Risks

LED lights use less heat and have a lower risk of burning your plants, but LEDs are using intense light intensity so there is still a risk. This can be easily avoided by making sure you follow light positioning recommendations but should still be monitored to ensure your plants are kept safe. 



Comparison of LED lights and HID Grow Lights

What are HID Grow Lights?

HID stands for High- intensity discharge, a HID bulb works by electricity jumping between electrodes in a gas filled tube, which then generates a bright light when reacting with the gas. 



Comparison

  • LEDs are most efficient in a cooler environment unlike HIDs which prefer a warmer environment. 
  • LEDs reduce their electricity consumption, so overall you are saving both money and the planet compared to HID lights, which have a cheaper start price but overall are more expensive to up keep. 
  • Upfront cost of HID are more affordable then LEDs, but in the long run LED lights will save you more money due their energy efficiency and their longer average life span. 
  • LEDs have a built in cooling fan which means they are being kept cool and improves the efficiency, whereas for HIDs you will need to divert some airflow to cool the lamps.
  • LEDs require lower wattage bulbs compared to HIDs, therefore saving you energy and money. 


Recommended Products

If you’d like more information on LED lighting and any of the products mentioned above, please feel free to pop down to the store and speak to our highly knowledgeable team.