Tips for Saving Money with LED Grow Lights
For many growers, the most expensive aspect of indoor cultivation is just keeping the lights on. In order to grow high yields and a quality product, your plants need loads of photons . . . which means long hours of high-intensity light.
If you’ve been looking for ways to reduce this sizeable expense, you’ve probably heard about the high efficiency of LED grow lights. And as this new technology continues to advance and improve, the potential energy savings from switching to LEDs gets larger and larger.
But how can LED grow lights help you save on energy consumption and thus save money?
Choosing the Right Type of Led Light
Most LED grow lights you can find today are “full spectrum” lights, which is sort of a buzzword that means you can use them for vegging and flowering. But there are also models outfitted with a switch that allows you to change the light spectrum according to the phase. Moreover, some LEDs are made only for veg—emitting a bluish light that supports fast and vigorous growth—while others are made for bloom, giving off a reddish light to support bud development. So, before you get an LED light, make sure it’s the right type. For most growers, a full spectrum LED is likely what you'll want.
Turn up the Heat
Traditional lights like HID emit a lot of heat and often additional heating for the plants is not required. On the other hand, LED lights hardly generate any heat. Take a look at this article where MaryJane Farmer gives you advice on the best way to control temperature and humidity in your grow space.Why and How to Control Temperature and Humidity in Your Grow Room.
When growers install their LED fixture, they should be aware that they might need to turn up the heater to increase the temperature in the facility. Even though this does not sound like a proper way of how to save money on electric bill, it is. The total energy savings will be positive, due to LEDs energy efficiency.
Less Nutrients
When you water indoor plants, you’ll normally do so with an infusion of nutrients. In addition to watering less, your plants will also need less nutes than they would before. In addition to some nice savings on nutrients, the less-frequent watering and feeding schedule will also decrease nutrient buildup, so there’s a lower risk of nutrient lockout and plant deficiencies.
Adjust Water Consumption
As a grower you need to make sure your plants are getting just the right amount of water. Sometimes when there is a switch from one light solution to another, growers continue water treating the crops the way they did initially. Be aware that LED light fixtures do not generate as much heat as HID lights, for example. LEDs also do not emit IR light, so be careful not to overwater your plants. You can save a lot money from water conservation.
Setting Your Led Lights at the Proper Distance
Since HID lights emit a lot of heat, out-of-the-loop growers might be overly cautious with their LEDs, placing them too far away; alternatively, those aware of the benefits of LEDs might get cocky and place the lights super close. If you hang your LEDs too far away, there’s a good chance your plants will over-stretch in an effort to reach closer to the light. If, on the other hand, you place your LEDs too close to your indoor plants, this can stress the plants more than they can comfortably handle, causing burning and bleaching of the foliage and buds.
So, what is the ideal distance between your grow lights and your plant canopy? Unfortunately, there is no standard, since the best distance during the vegetative and bloom phases of your indoor plants will depend on your specific LED. Each type can vary slightly, therefore affecting the final distance they should be from your plants. The first port of call is to check the manual you received with your LEDs for any information on recommended distance. If you can’t find it there, check out the manufacturer’s website. If, for whatever reason, you cannot find any information, you can keep your LEDs somewhere between 30–45cm from the canopy—around 45cm during veg, then a little closer when your plants are flowering.
When adjusting the height of your LEDs for peak performance, keep an eye out for any oddities. Dry, curled, brown, or bleached leaves signal too much light, calling for your LEDs to be raised higher.
Maximize your Savings with the Best LED Grow Light
Electricity saving is not only an environmentally conscientious thing to do; it will further improve your growing skills as well. Understanding and measuring your environment will definitely save you time and money and will vastly improve the potential of your indoor plants. With the best LED grow lights, you can lower the lights closer to the plant’s canopy without burning the leaves or buds. You’ll notice that your indoor plants will flourish considerably better while using fewer nutrients and water.
Below are three recommendations for you which have already been tested and arranged in our top list.
ECO Farm 250W/500W Dimmable LED Grow Light for Greenhouse
- Full spectrum led grow lights provide perfect color hue blending, matching sunlight spectrum for all stages of growth. Perfect for indoor live plant gardening, shelves, and tent growing.
- Compact and powerful, easy installation. It can also be installed using hangers for more accurate height adjustment.
- High efficiently heat dissipation, small and lightweight, bright, quiet during using, no fan, no noise. Thickening aluminum heat sinks ensure efficient heat dissipation, keep cooling after 24 hours using.
- Ideal for seedling, vegetation & flowering –ECO Farm led grow light is perfect for raising plants from seedling to budding without swapping lights. ECO Farm LED grow light covers you all stage growing needs and it’s the best add on for high yields.
Easy to adjust the brightness
The unique dimmer switch makes it quick and easy to manipulate the brightness level from 5% - 100%. This light can replace a 1000W HPS/MH lamp while consuming only 400W.
Greater yield with exceptional full spectrum lighting
Consists of 730nm IR, 660nm red light, 3500K and 6500K of the white light spectrum, which is fully capable for all plant stages.
0 db noise level
The 3rd generation of the cooling system with built-in aluminum heat sink brings better performance, longer lifespan of the light, and zero noise experience. Sleep tight!
Coverage area & tremendous yield
This light is the perfect fit for 5 ft. x 5 ft. vegetative coverage at 28 in. and 4 ft. x 4 ft. flowering coverage at 24 in. Remember to adjust the height and brightness for optimum growth properly.
Hassle-free 3 years warranty
Viparspectra is a professional manufacturer that has specialized in LED grow lights for many years. Product quality and professional customer service are always their top priority. They offer a 3-year local warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Yearld Pro 330W LED Grow Light
- Industry-leading, dimmable and extremely efficient Meanwell driver
- High-efficiency Samsung LM301B White + Osram Red LEDs
- 4000K white true full spectrum enhanced with 660nm deep red for optimal canopy penetration
- Industry-top efficacy: 2.6 μmol/j
- Reliable passive-cooled design (no cooling fans required)
- Full Spectrum: Ideal for seedling to harvest growth
- Replaces a single-ended 600W HID while only drawing 300W from the wall
- Auto-sensing power supply (AC 100-277V)
- 5-year warranty, 90-day replacement, 30-day return policy
