LED lights were first introduced to the market to replace the traditional incandescent and fluorescent lights and HPS grow lights.
People eventually made that switch, although it costed more than the traditional lights.
It was only a matter of time when LED lights became affordable for households. They became competitively priced when compared to the usual lights, with the bonus of lasting longer.
With LED becoming a standard for lighting in homes and offices, the horticulture industry wanted the same features and sustainability.
Thanks to technology, we now have LED grow lights making a niche of its own in growing. Manufacturers are also on their way to drive down prices to make it more competitive versus the traditional grow lights that use HPS or CMH.
Should you want to invest in LED grow lights, you may want to read further on what you need to know in choosing a fixture for your indoor garden.
6 Tips for Buying a Commercial LED Grow Light
There are many features to consider when choosing a commercial LED grow light. For starters, you must first decide what you’re going to grow. Once you’ve decided what you’re growing, you now need to consider the following factors before you make a purchase.
Grow Light Efficacy
Grow light efficacy, also referred to as photosynthetic photon efficacy or PPE, is the output of PAR photons divided by the fixture’s wattage. Grow light efficacy has quickly become one of the primary metrics that grow light buyers look for when evaluating their options.
The higher the PPE the better for reducing electrical usage, though, this metric has its limitations. For instance, PPE only accounts for photons in the PAR spectrum (not including wavelengths like far-red).
Some buyers will purchase their commercial grow lights on PPE alone, though we recommend against it. PPE doesn’t account for spectrum influences and fixture quality. Both of which may be more important for your application than squeezing a little more energy efficiency out of your grow lights.
Grow Light Spectrum
Some LED grow lights are full spectrum, which gives it adjustable properties to adapt to different phases of growth.
Ideally, you would want to get a full spectrum, which includes UV lighting. That will help you save more, as you can have one set to do most, if not all, the growing phases.
Full-spectrum LED grow lights have both red and blue spectrums, as well as infrared and ultraviolet lighting. These light colors matter, as they help in different stages of growth, inducing photosynthesis, and blooming of buds.
Grow Light Heat Output
Long ago there was a rumor that LED grow lights don’t produce heat. This is simply not true, though they are much more efficient than traditional HPS grow lights.
Generally, we recommend not worrying about differences in heat output between LED fixtures. Though you’ll want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of less heat.
In colder climates, some greenhouse owners prefer the heat emitted by their HPS lamps. Although this heat may be beneficial for some, your light fixtures are not a reliable source of heat because that heat is hard to control. HPS grow lights produce heat in spots across your greenhouse, affecting plant growth in an unregulated way.
For better control and product quality, commercial LED grow lights are always best, but if you’re in a cold climate and could use some extra heat at any cost, it may be worth looking to more traditional grow light technologies.
Ease-of-Installation
Commercial LED grow lights attach above a plant canopy, and depending on how far your canopy is from your plants, you need to make sure your team can easily install and replace your lights.
In a greenhouse, most commercial grow lights will attach to the unistrut running across the top of the facility. In an indoor grow room, you will be attaching to a strut, using hangers, pulleys, or attaching to a vertical plant rack.
It’s usually a good idea to look at the manufacturer’s installation process before making your purchase. Good manufacturers will have a well thought out system that’s easy to install, replace, and scale.
Manufacturer Success
It’s always good to look at a company’s customer testimonials before purchasing a commercial LED grow light. Although there are some decent new LED lighting companies that may not have a record-of-success, you can expect these to largely be an exception rather than a rule.
If you do decide to go with a new grow light company, make sure that the price you are receiving reflects their lack of a track record.
Grow Light Warranty
Today, the standard for grow light warranties are generally 5 years. That said, some good quality companies will warranty for just 3 years. If you’re going to be making a large investment, you think hard about de-risking your business with a warranty that satisfies your business needs.
Some growers are looking to turn a quick profit rather than building for the long-term, so if this is the case, a lower upfront investment may make sense to you versus a longer warranty.
ECO Farm ECOD Samsung UV+ IR 1000W Dimmable LED Grow Light
Pros:
Produce less heat
Ideal for beginners
Works extremely cool and quiet lighting system
ETL, RoHS, and CE Certified
Release high PAR value with 450 μmol at 18 inches
Provides deep penetration to ensure your plants’ growth
Cons:
Doesn’t come with an additional control switch for an easier operation
Doesn’t offer separate bloom and veg lights for a more efficient effect
Iluminar iL9x 1000W LED Grow Light
Pros:
Easy to set and to operate
Offers a bloom and veg setting for convenience
Produces low heat compared with other lighting solutions for indoor plants
Promotes faster and bigger amount of yields
Energy-efficient and doesn’t need any extra ballast
Cons:
Too bright to be looked at directly an eye protection
Some units still emit a small amount of light even when turned off
What brand of diodes does the fixture use?
Higher quality diodes last longer and are more efficient (more light/watt). CREE, Samsung, Osram, Lumiled, and Bridgelux are brands that are commonly used high-quality chips. Epistar and Epiled are mid to low-quality chips, in comparison. That is not to say that some high-end LED grow lights don’t still use them successfully.
What brand of driver(s) power the LEDs? Mean Well and Inventronics make high-quality drivers but there are other good ones too. Low-quality drivers in most budget lights fail quickly.
Safety and Reliability
Do you require any particular certifications or markings (UL/ETL/CSA/CE, etc)? Most home growers do not need to consider these special certifications. However, commercial growers in the U.S. are required to equip their facilities with UL listed or ETL certified grow lights. Of course, that is if they are to comply with their state’s electrical regulations. If you are in the European Union or Canada, you might require a fixture with a CE mark and a CSA mark, respectively.
How long is the warranty?
LED grow light warranties can range from 1 year to a ‘lifetime’. Most companies offer a 3-year warranty. however, 5-year warranties are also very common. Fixtures with longer warranties are generally more expensive. Know the manufacturer’s warranty policy beforehand in case something happens to your fixture.
Conclusion
Investing in LED grow lights is a smart decision to make, especially if you see yourself taking on indoor gardening for a long time.
If well taken care of, the LED grow lights can last you more than five (5) years before they start showing signs of wear and tear.
While the cost might be a bit steep upfront, the returns you get from this investment pay for itself in no time.