With the advent of LEDs, it’s now possible to get grow lights that produce the light spectrum plants need for photosynthesis.
The best ones will give your crops the light wavelengths they need to thrive, helping you increase your yields and quality.
Full-spectrum LEDs are a great choice for growers that want to scale their plant production due to their low cost, high efficiency, and long lifespan.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a grow light. There are three main determinants of energy use: how long the light is used for each day, how much power (watts) the light draws and how efficient the LED light is at dissipating heat.
During vegetative growth, growers typically run their lights for 18 to 24 hours per day. This results in a higher monthly energy cost than during flowering where the lights are only used 12 hours per day.
LED grow lights can be extremely efficient at utilizing electrical energy. They are also very durable and don’t produce any radiant heat. This is a huge benefit for growers who want to save money on air conditioning.
Long Lifespan
LED grow lights have a long lifespan, which is often cited as one of their biggest advantages. They are capable of lasting up to 50,000 hours, which is more than twice as long as HPS or MH bulbs.
They are also more energy efficient than their predecessors, meaning that they can save you money over time. This is especially true when you consider that they produce significantly less heat, which means that you don’t need to run a cooling system as often as with HPS or MH lights.
Additionally, they are a lot more compact and can fit into smaller grow rooms. This is an advantage because the confined space means that you can use less energy and have better growing conditions.
A LED grow light should also provide full-spectrum light, which is important for ensuring that the plants are getting all the colors of the spectrum they need to thrive. This can be a big benefit for growers who need to keep their lighting costs low but still want to get the most out of their plants.
High Efficiency
The best LED grow lights use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to convert electricity into visible light. Each LED also has a driver and housing, which acts as a reflector.
LEDs are energy efficient compared to HIDs because they don’t have a chemical reaction to produce light. They’re also a lot cheaper to operate than traditional lighting solutions.
In addition, they have a higher wattage per square foot than high pressure sodium or metal halide lights. This allows you to cover larger areas with less energy and achieve higher yields.
Some LED grow lights use a number of different colors to create a full spectrum for plants. This is great for maximizing growth and the rate of photosynthesis.
Low Maintenance
If you are looking for a low maintenance grow light, an LED grow light is the ideal choice. These lights do not require any fusing or replacement bulbs and can last for years without breaking down.
They use a very small amount of energy and can be dimmed for different stages of plant growth, allowing you to cater to your plants needs at any time. Some LED grow lights can even be scheduled to change the spectrum and intensity of the light.
The only drawback to these lights is that they can get quite hot. This is why it is important to buy one with a large heat sink. These heat sinks help dissipate the heat from the LEDs and move it away from your plants.