How much does it cost to run LED grow lights? (2023 Updated)
Choosing grow lights can be daunting. LED lights are by far the best option for growing plants. get ready! Keep reading to find the best LED grow lights.
How much does it cost to run LED grow lights?
When calculating the cost of grow lights, there is more to consider than just lighting. Depending on the types of plants you grow and the types of lights you use, you may need additional heating or cooling systems.
All of these kits require electricity, which means growing them indoors can quickly add to your energy bills.
LED grow lights are popular because they are more energy efficient than their predecessors. This means you’re less likely to need additional cooling.
We found this equation to be the best way to calculate the cost:
Total kW x cost per kWh x hours per day x 30 days
Do plants need darkness to grow?
We talk about light a lot, but do plants need darkness to grow? The simple answer is yes.
Plants can be divided into three types: long-day, short-day, and sun-neutral plants.
Knowing the type of plant you are growing will give you an idea of how much light and dark the plant needs. This is called a critical photoperiod, and it can be controlled to create different results for your plants.
ECO Farm ECO Z Lite 750W LED Grow Light
Features:
This ECO Farm LED grow light features an 8-bar design for more even and complete canopy coverage. Equipped with high efficiency diodes with extremely low thermal resistance. Grow lights are flicker-free and dim, with a lifespan of 50,000 hours. LED grow lights consume 750 watts at 2069 µmol/s for a satisfactory PPE of 2.8 µmol/J, ideal for 6 x 6 ft. plant areas or 5 x 5 ft. flowering areas. Each full spectrum LED grow light uses a custom made 2100 diodes. The abundance of wavelength types is consistent with the spectral range of plant photosynthesis. It concentrates specific wavelengths of light to illuminate crops evenly, controlling plant height and plant nutrients.
Maxibright JUNO PRO — 720W LED Grow Light
Features:
The Maxibright LED Grow Light is an affordable and powerful 720 watts, has an output of 1800 micromoles per second (PPF), and is optimized to cover an area of 1.5 m x 1.5 m. 6 LED strips to provide uniform full spectrum light with added red spectrum for enhanced blooming. The whole luminaire folds in half, is very easy to transport, and unlike other LED units on the market, it is truly plug-and-play and requires zero assemblies of any kind. At only 40mm high, it maximizes the usable height in any growing space. Juno uses all-new MaxiLED chips. These high-quality chips are hand-picked by Maxirow and will provide the perfect spectral output for high-yielding plants. Each unit comes with a remote dimmer that allows you to adjust the light from 25% — 50% — 75% — 100% power. This is especially useful for growing young plants that don’t require as much light as more mature flowering plants.
Features:
Kind LED grow light uses top-of-the-line Osram and Phillips diodes to produce targeted full-spectrum light as well as UV and IR to enhance your plants during flowering. The KIND X750 uses the full spectrum white LED diodes used by top LED companies. Kind’s Targeted Full Spectrum is designed for plants to maximize harvest weight and plant quality. Our spectrum is the result of hundreds of thousands of hours of field testing in the Northern California medicinal plant industry. With 750 watts of power and a 4' x 4' footprint, the X750 is powerful enough for commercial growers while still being compact enough for single planting.
Things to Consider Before Buying LED Grow Lights
Light Color
Blue light aids in photosynthesis and early plant growth. Red light aids in the growth of flowers and fruits. However, different types of plants have different needs, so suggesting blue/red spectrum LEDs is an oversimplification at best. Commercial growers focusing on a single plant may wish to investigate precise color solutions, but in most cases, full-spectrum LED grow lights (including white light, infrared (IR) and occasional ultraviolet (UV)) can provide plants with Best overall performance for most growers. This is especially true in grow rooms that don’t have a lot of natural light, since full-spectrum LEDs are the closest thing to natural light.
LED type
LED grow lights are available as bulbs, strips (light strips) or panels. LED bulbs are a good idea where existing halogen or high intensity bulbs are already in use. Simply replace existing lights when they burn out. LED grow light strips are often used in commercial settings because they are economical for large areas and are often hung above the growing area. Panels are very popular with hobby growers and professionals alike. They’re available in a variety of sizes and performance options, and are often very affordable.
Coverage
LED grow light panels and light strips are usually rated by the amount of coverage they provide. This is an important consideration when choosing the best LED grow lights for a particular area. This number can vary depending on whether the growth is plant growth or flowers and fruit. Manufacturers usually provide this information, but may only provide numbers for maximum coverage, which is for vegetation. For flowers and fruit it may be around 20% less.
Performance
The performance of LED grow lights is given many different numbers, which can be very confusing. PAR is Photosynthetically Active Radiation, but measurements of PAR are calculated using PPF (Photosynthetic Photon Flux) in micromoles per second (μmol/s). PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) is given in micromoles per square meter per second (μmol/m2/s). This is the actual amount of useful light reaching the plant at a given height and distance (usually specified). Micromoles per joule (μmol/J) are sometimes quoted as efficiency ratings.
This speaks for science, but practical application can be difficult and some LED grow light manufacturers do not provide these numbers. However, when provided, they are very useful for comparison. If you are growing a specific type of plant, it is worth researching the recommended PPFD for maximum yield and buying accordingly.
Any tips for growing under growl light?
If your plants’ leaves are starting to turn pale or not growing well, they may have been in the light for too long, while if the leaves take on a yellowish tinge, it could be a sign of too much light. In both cases, try moving the lights farther away or turning them off for a longer period of time.
On the other hand, if the leaves are too dark and poorly grown, they may need more light, so move the lights closer and keep them on longer.
Conclusion
If we still caught your attention, thanks for reading and we hope you learned a lot from this post! If you’re an indoor gardener too, drop a comment below…we’d love to hear from you!
