LED grow lights offer a number of advantages when compared to traditional grow light fixtures using HPS/CMH light sources. LEDs use far less energy to produce the same amount of light when compared to HPS or CMH. This can be measured using efficacy, which takes the amount of light produced by a grow light (µmol/s) and compares it to the amount of energy used (Joules/s). A Double-ended HPS fixture like the one at power 1000W is 1950 µmol/s and an efficacy of 1.95 µmol/J. However the LED grow light can produce 2000 µmol/s while using only 720W giving it an efficacy of 2.7 µmol/J. That makes 1 light nearly 30% more efficient than the 1000W DE HPS fixture. For cultivators who have limited access the electricity, this can mean being able to have more lights at your facility without exceeding your buildings energy limits or compromising light intensity.

The wavelength or spectrum of light produced by LED grow lights have been one of the most rapid areas of advancement. Plants in nature receive a wide range of wavelengths (colors) of light from the sun. Different wavelengths of light have different effects on a plant’s growth. The combination of wavelengths being produced by a light source is referred to as the light’s spectrum. Initially, LED grow lights were only capable of producing very specific wavelengths of light, primarily red and blue. This put them at a disadvantage to HID light sources with fixed spectrums that were closer to what plants need. With advancements in LED technology, we are now capable of making full spectrum grow lights that are perfectly tuned for each stage of plant growth. Unlike the single fixed spectrum produced by HID fixtures, LEDs come in a variety of colors allowing them to be mixed and matched to create a spectrum of light optimized for plant growth. This results in higher yields as light is being delivered to the plant in form that is easier for them to use in photosynthesis. For example, during the vegetative stage of growth you may want more blue light which has been shown to make plants stockier, while additional red light may be desirable during flowering to promote growth (stretch) and flowering. Tailoring the spectrum of your light is an option only offered by LEDs as HIDs are only capable of producing its one spectrum of light.

Another major advantage of LED chip technology is their longevity. Our grow lights can last 50,000 hours before their light output is significantly reduced. This means that on average grow lights using LEDs can have close to 10 years of normal use (12hrs On – 12hrs Off) before they need to be replaced. For comparison, the lamps used in HPS grow lights are typically swapped after only 12 months of normal use and can cost over $100 to replace. Even with their lower initial cost, in just a few years HPS grow lights can become more expensive than LED lights once the cost of replacement lamps is factored in. When you also take into account the additional savings LEDs provide by being more energy-efficient, less demanding on cooling systems, and eligible for rebates, LEDs are the more cost-effective lighting solution.