If you are planning a new grow at this time of the year then indoor growing is more or less your only option. Unless, of course, you live in a place where the sun shines all year-round and the temperatures are warm! Hello, the Caribbean!
If you are going to grow indoors there are some basic items of equipment you are going to need to make that possible and successful. We have articles about grow tents you can read but they are not the only solution as you may have a spare room or a basement you can use, but one thing you will need is light!
Now we know you will find many articles on 420beginner about lights but the technology is changing all the time. What was top of the range a year ago has been surpassed by new designs, new innovations, and attitudes. One of the topics we hear about every day is Global Warming, and the need to conserve energy. So let’s look at how lighting for indoor plants can help to do just that.
One of the discussions has frequently been about the use of HPS, or High-Pressure Sodium lights, or LED Light-Emitting Diode lights. We don’t think it is our place to argue one case or the other, although we have an opinion. We believe it better to give you the facts and let you make up your own mind.
HPS Grow Lights
HPS lights are capable of producing a large quantity of light. In fact, a lot of growers have preferred HPS lights for years because of this. Light is crucial during the flowering stage and is likely to increase the yield at harvest. The high intensity of HPS grow lights can create an ideal environment for cannabis flowering.
HPS lights are also comparatively cheap to buy and set up. However, on the negative side, the high-intensity output of HPS lights produces a lot of heat. In almost all cases, using HPS grow lights requires additional ventilation for sufficient airflow. This can increase costs significantly. In addition, the high-intensity light consumes a huge amount of energy, driving up costs while also causing more environmental damage. Put bluntly, your initial investment may be less but your running costs will be much higher.
When LED lights were first introduced and their price tag made your eyes water there may well have been an argument for sticking with HPS but as with most new products competition has forced down prices so the difference in initial costs is less evident and harder to justify.
On another point with HPS, because of the heat they produce, a constant variation of the height of the lights is very important, particularly at the flowering stage. Keeping the lights too close to the flowers can burn them and this is more difficult at this stage because the plants are also full-grown and high.
Advantages of HPS Grow Lights
- HPS grow lights are capable of producing an intense amount of light, which can increase cannabis flowering.
- There are a wide variety of HPS grow lights available, so options have become more standardized.
- The initial start-up costs are lower with HPS grow lights than LED lights.
Drawbacks of HPS Grow Lights
- HPS grow lights require more power and are less energy-efficient than LED lights.
- HPS grow lights have a shorter shelf life in comparison to LED lights.
- The intense lighting of HPS makes adequate airflow and ventilation essential.
- Setting the optimal temperature can be challenging, particularly in confined spaces.
- HPS grow lights increase costs substantially in the long-term
LED Grow Lights
LED, or Light-Emitting Diode, grow lights have increased in popularity over the years. The advancements in technology and competition as new manufacturers produced more lights have changed the market.
In the not-so-distant past, HPS lights were more or less the only option. But today you will find LED lights being used by the largest commercial cannabis grows, despite the initial outlay required.
In comparison to HPS lights, LED grow lights are incredibly energy efficient. High-quality LED grow lights can produce equivalent yields to HPS grow lights using significantly less energy. As a result, many cannabis growers consider LED lights to be an environmentally friendlier option for indoor cultivation. They also avoid the potential risk of discovery by infra-red heat signatures or the spike in electricity usage.
As they are also highly cost-efficient running costs are kept to a minimum and with timers and dimmers now frequently built-in, makes maintaining light cycles and levels so much easier to control.
Although LED grow lights tend to have higher upfront costs than HPS lights, they offer long-term savings. The extended life span of LED lights means you will not be constantly changing bulbs or spending your money on replacements.
Advantages of LED Grow Lights
- LED grow lights are more energy-efficient. They produce the same amount of light as HPS lights but consume substantially less energy.
- LED grow lights do not produce as much heat as HPS lights, avoiding the need for additional ventilation or airflow systems.
- LED grow lights are smaller than HPS lights, maximizing grow space.LED grow lights feature an impressive shelf life.
Drawbacks of LED Grow Lights
- LED grow lights require a higher upfront investment. However, they can reduce costs in the long run due to their extensive shelf life.LED grow lights may not produce enough heat as HPS lights in colder climate areas
- LED lights lack standardization, which makes comparing options more challenging. However, we’ve compiled a list of the top quality and best-priced LED grow lights for you which you can find here.
So which is the better option for you? We are leaving that up to you, but we hope the information in this article may make the options clearer and easier for you to make an informed decision.
As always, we welcome your comments. So if you have an opinion you want to share with other readers and visitors to 420beginner.com please make use of the comment box below.
