5 Things to Look for in Your LED Grow Lights

When shopping for LED grow lights in Canada, the US, or anywhere else in the world, there are a few things you need to look for.

26/08/2020

 

 

If you want your indoor plants to have the best, you should definitely consider setting up an LED light system. Like all light types, there are both pros and cons to using LEDs, but the good outweighs the bad every day of the week.

LEDs don’t give off a lot of heat like high-intensity HPS bulbs and they emit higher light quality than cheap fluorescent T5 grow lights. On top of that, LED lights are extremely efficient, which makes up for the high initial cost of this light system since you’ll save money with lower electricity bills over time.

Before you stop reading and order LED grow lights in Canada, the US, or anywhere else in the world, there are a few things you need to look for.

 

Quality Durable Materials

Another big perk of opting for an LED grow room is the long lifespan of this light system. While a quality high-pressure sodium (HPS) bulb can last as long as 24K hours, the best LEDs can shine for as long as 50,000 hours.

But not all LED lights follow this 50K-hour rule. The longest-lasting lights are built with quality materials, especially when it comes to their panels. Obviously you want to choose a system with high-quality bulbs, but don’t forget about the panel - it should be built with sturdy aluminum or steel that won’t easily wear and tear over time.

 

Output/Wattage

No matter which light type you choose, you should always pay close attention to the light output. Every light fixture comes with a specific wattage, and the higher the wattage the more area it can cover. LEDs can range anywhere from 50W to 1000+, so consider the size of your grow room and the overall layout to choose the right output for your plants.

Unless you’re only growing 1 or 2 plants, try not to go below 300 watts. Any wattage below that won’t be powerful enough to produce the healthy plants you’re hoping for. The first thing to take into a count is the size of the grow space.

A good general rule of thumb to follow is that every square foot should be covered by at least 32 watts. But for the best results, aim for between 50 and 80 watts per square foot. Here’s a quick guide to the very minimum wattage for your LED grow room:

    ● 1 x 1 – 32 watts

    ● 2 x 2 (4 square feet) – 128 watts

    ● 3 x 3 (9 square feet) – 288 watts

    ● 4 x 4 (16 square feet) – 512 watts

    ● 6 x 6 (36 square feet) – 1152 watts

 

Color Spectrum

To the human eye, visible light appears to be white, but light is actually made up of many different colors. Plants crave a certain light color depending on the phase of their development. In the early stages, the blue colors of the light spectrum are best, but later on, plants crave red, yellow, and orange light.

The good news about LED light is that most fixtures give off the full range of the color spectrum. Some fixtures even come with a switch that lets you change from mostly blue light to mostly red so that your plants will always stay happy, no matter the stage of their development.

 

Cooling Features

Part of the reason that LEDs last so long is their low heat output. HPS and CMH bulbs give off a lot more heat, and this shortens their life by tens of thousands of hours. But remember, all types of light give off some level of heat, and LEDs are no exception.

Cooling features that have been incorporated into a fixture will not only help to lengthen the LED’s life, but also keep plants happy and healthy. Indoor grow rooms have their lights running for as long as 15 hours at a time, so to prevent the room (and the light) from overheating, the fixture needs to have an internal fan system.

Another thing to look for to keep things cool is a thick aluminum heat sink. This will be attached to the back area of the fixture, and its sole purpose is to dissipate heat away from the light chips to keep them cool and protected.

 

Price & Warranty

The higher upfront cost is probably the main thing that deters people from purchasing LEDs. But just try to keep in mind that the high price tag will quickly be offset by the energy savings. You might even end up saving money within the first month of your indoor grow op.

That said, try to only choose a fixture that comes with a warranty policy, ideally between 5 and 10 years. This shows that the manufacturer is confident in its product, and you can be, too.

 

 

 

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