Many indoor gardeners have relied upon HIDs, also known as high intensity discharge lamps for lighting their growing rooms and green houses. They have always been much more effective than standard incandescent lights to supply lights to plants. Now, technology is advancing again, leaving the high intensity discharge lamps in the dust. LEDs, previously considered fun for multi-colored lights on children’s toys and weird scrolling belt buckles, have improved to a point at which they now have a practical purpose. Many flashlights and electronics rely on LED lights for their energy efficiency, brightness, and temperature. The newer LEDs can be used for indoor hydroponics now.
Using the Light Spectra
An LED grow light emits very specific light wavelengths that trigger photosynthesis in plants. Plants generally respond to three colors in the standard light spectrum, blue, orange, and red. The reason plants appear green to people is that they do not absorb green or yellow light, they reflect it back. Older grow lights such as incandescent lamps, use the entire light spectrum, but LED lights can be altered to only emit the ones that plants will use. This makes them a more efficient energy source, and they can last up to 11 years, beating out even their strongest competition, that only last around 2 years.
Heat Regulation
Both HIDs and incandescent lights throw off a lot of heat, unlike LEDs. Any large scale growers of plants must find ways to help dissipate that heat, so that the plants are not overheated, burned, or dehydrated from incorrect temperature control. There are however lights known as “cool” lights, Compact fluorescent grow lights and LED grow lights are examples of these and both are lights that are merely warm to the touch at most. They are also usually equipped with fans to keep the chips and lights from overheating in case they are left on consistently enough to actually heat up the lights.
Accessory Requirements
HID lamps are also more expensive of an investment than LED grow lights, because they require a number of accessories to do the job they are expected to. Heat removal systems and fans must be implemented by most farmers to help deal with the previously mentioned heat issue that comes with that style of lights. HID lamps also need reflectors to be the most effective. LED grow lights do not require any accessories, fans, or reflectors. Between their lower energy cost, longer life, and lack of necessary temperature control, the LED lights can decrease maintenance and expenses by anywhere from forty-five to seventy-five percent. Invest wisely in an indoor green house or garden for home or industrial purposes, and choose an LED grow light system.