Major Benefits of LED Grow Lights

In indoor plant growing, artificial light is needed because there is no or insufficient sunlight. HID, HPS and LED lamps are generally used as artificial light sources.

LED grow lights stand out as a new generation solution in this field and have some advantages over HID technology.

Efficiency: A quality LED light source can only provide light in the wavelength range that plants need. In this way, energy is not wasted for a non-useful light. HID lamps produce a lot of light in yellow and green wavelengths, but this light is not used by plants. Thanks to LED technology, only the light needed by plants can be produced. Having the light in the appropriate spectrum has another advantage besides efficiency. Plants grow faster and better when they are in the right light.

Heat: LED light sources generate less heat than other lighting technologies. This eliminates the need to spend on expensive refrigeration equipments. However, it should not be forgotten that low temperature can also bring some disadvantages.

Long Life: HID lamps can offer 5,000-20,000 hours of life, while LEDs can last for 50,000-100,000 hours. In addition, LED lamps are more durable as they contain fewer breakable components.

Additional Hardware Requirement: In HID lighting systems, additional reflectors and ballasts are needed for the bulb. But an LED lamp contains everything you will need. You can just plug it in and run it.

In LED technology, system cost and low heat output can be disadvantages in practice.

LED grow lights are more expensive than HID and fluorescent lamps. However, subsequent operating costs (electricity consumption and lamp replacement) are much lower.

Although LEDs emit little heat usually seems like an advantage, this can turn into a disadvantage in cold weather. When the weather is cold, it is necessary to warm the area where the plants are located. HID lamps provide sufficient heat, but you may need additional heating with LED light sources.