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LED vs HPS – Which one is better?
Finding the right grow light setup for your indoor garden seems easy.
But it’s not.
It can actually be a bit complicated.
There are so many different lights on the market and so many different customers with unique needs.
Farmers, horticulturists, gardeners, and medical marijuana growers all need different features and they have a very broad selection of options to choose from.
The first big decision is between LED grow lights and HPS bulbs.
One of the deciding factors in choosing between LED grow lights and HID lights is that LEDs typically cost far more than an equivalent HID system.
For many, this is the only factor that matters and this is the main reason HID lighting continues to enjoy huge popularity. That said, a select few companies are now making good lights that cost very little.
But the initial cost of the light(s) is not the only cost you need to take into consideration. You need to take into account the complete cost. LEDs have become hugely popular, despite having been much more expensive than HID, until recently.
There’s a reason for this.
LED grow lights use far less energy to generate the same amount of usable light as an HPS or an MH bulb. This drastically reduces operating costs and means that they turn out to be more affordable in the long run.
Furthermore, LED diodes have a much longer lifespan than HID bulbs, so you save even more by not having to replace the bulbs once a year. It is also much less of a hassle and those bulbs contain mercury, so disposing of them is bad for the environment.
Finally, you have to consider the heat output of each lighting solution.
HID bulbs emit an enormous amount of heat, which will have to be dealt with. Cooling equipment is not cheap and neither is running it.
Since LED lights run much cooler than HPS or MH lights, you save even more in operating costs. On the flip side, if you are using LED plant lights, you may actually have to heat your garden in the winter months, if you live in an area with a cold climate.
The Benefits Of LED Grow Lights
Here are some of the main benefits of using LED lights for your garden.
Operational costs
The primary advantage of LED grow lights are the lower operating expenses. Good LEDs cost up to 80% less to operate than an equivalent HID bulbs.
Light emitting diodes, (LED) are relatively new in the horticultural and many people are not yet familiar with their benefits and drawbacks. HID lighting has been used in the industry for decades and has been the system of choice for indoor gardeners.
Complete Package
LED fixtures are ready to start growing immediately. You just have to hang them, plug them in and that’s it. You don’t need to purchase any additional components.
HID lighting on the other hand, is not so simple. In addition to the bulbs, you have to purchase a reflector and a ballast. The bulbs will not work without ballast and without a reflector, the light will go off in every direction, which is a huge waste and would further increase operating costs.
Fluorescent bulbs also require the same components, although the ballasts are smaller and usually integrated into the fixtures or bulbs. Luckily, there are kits available that include everything you need.
