December 04, 2021
There’s an LED grow light movement among indoor gardeners that are been taking off ever since LEDs hit the market. In the past, growers were most attracted to HPS and CMH lighting for its high-intensity output, but things have taken a major turn, and that turn is towards LEDs.
If you’ve stuck to your old ways and are continuing to supply your indoor grow room with HPS, CMH, or fluorescent lighting, it’s time to switch things up. Make a change by investing in one of the best LED grow lights on the market.
There are many reasons growers should consider using LED lights. If you are new to growing plants or have never used LED lights, it is crucial to understand why they are so beneficial.
One of the most significant benefits of using LED lights for growing plantsis their longevity. Because the diodes are highly efficient and use low amounts of energy, LED lights can last for many years, even up to eleven.
LED lights emit a much lower level of heat than some other types of lights, like MH and HPS lights.
Another reason growers choose LED lights is because of the energy savings. During the vegetative growth period, the plant needs up to twenty-four hours of light a day. Burning a traditional bulb for this long can become costly. LED lights help you save money while still being able to provide the plants with all the light hours they require.
LED lights are also easy to control, making them advantageous for indoor growers, whether they opt for regular or autoflowering seeds. LED light spectrums can be manipulated to control the type of light that is being produced. These lights can also be used with a timer and dimming controls, so the grower has full control over the amount of light their plants are exposed to throughout each growth cycle.
LED lights are also an attractive option for indoor growers because they are much easier to install. There are no complicated light mounts to purchase. LED lights are sold as an all-in-one unit, so they simply need to be hung and plugged in.
When growers use LED lights, the lack of heat they produce will help to cut down on air conditioner usage, which can dramatically lessen the costs of running your grow room.
LEDs can be purchased as waterproof and dust-proof, making them ideal for the average indoor growing setup. With these lights in place, you will not have to worry about them coming into contact with water from the watering system.
As a benefit to the environment, all LED lights are recyclable, and because they are long-lasting, fewer lights need to be purchased, which is much better for the environment.
ECO Farm LM301B UV&IR 450W Quantum Board
Features:
This ECO Farm LED grow light is up to 2.7 umol/J which only consumes 450w of power. PPFD is 2261 umol/m2/s. This LED grow light provides the same yield as HPS 800W normal led growing lights while saving more energy. These LEDs create better canopy light penetration, get 40% higher yields with less energy compared with other red blue lights. Suitable for 3*3 ft grow tent.This led grow light use large areas of a solid aluminum heat sink, which is safer and quieter when working. High safety performance MEAN WELL Driver provides 50% longer lifespan. Using waterproof LED board, the IP rating is IP65. ECO Farm LED quantum board is designed with Full spectrum(3000K), red light 660nm and IR 730nm and UV 395nm, best for all plants from seed to flower and increase yield & crop quality.
Features:
VIVOSUN LED grow light uses the latest LED plant light technology with Samsung LM301H diodes & brand driver for high energy efficiency with 2.9 umol/J; Extremely high output but consumes only 400W of electricity, making it more efficient than traditional HID lamps and other plant lamps on the market. This LED grow light has a dimming knob & ballast, so it adapts to different plant growth stages by adjusting its output from 40% to 100%; Super convenient for both beginners and professional growers. These Samsung VS4000 LEDs deliver the optimal full-spectrum coverage and power needed by your plants at all growth stages, with maximum PAR output at various distances, supporting efficient photosynthesis for indoor plants.
Wattage
The wattage that you will need from your LED grow light largely depends on the size of your growing space. Some plants, namely flowering plants and vegetables, will need higher wattage per square foot of growing area, while low-light plants will require less.
Semiconductor chips
The semiconductor chip is what converts electricity into the light that your plants need. Without this vital component, your LED grow light simply won’t work. Because of this, be sure and pick out a LED grow light that has a quality semiconductor chip. LED grow lights with a good semiconductor chip will outlive those that lack one and save you money in the long run.
User-friendly LED grow lights
Aside from considering which grow light will work best for your indoor gardening space, consider how user-friendly the grow light is. Most LED grow lights have a few different settings and features that you should be able to switch between with ease.
Some LED grow lights can also be difficult to position or to keep in place. Be sure to assess if your space can accommodate a grow light before buying, especially if you are in the market for a larger LED grow light.
How much you can expect to spend on LED grow lights
LED grow lights can range from the price of $15 to upwards of $100. Usually, more expensive lights will save you money in the long run as they will come with a higher quality semiconductor chip.
It’s safe to say that the high initial cost of LEDs are for the most part justified since it will eventually pay itself off. One thing to keep in mind though, is that LED prices are dropping fast and it’s unlikely that you’ll wear out your LEDs from use so it might not be wise to invest in higher end models if you’re just growing for yourself. However, if you’re planning to get serious with breeding and you plan to maximize a 4×4 growing space or bigger, then a more expensive model might be worth the investment.
October 20, 2023