For people who love to grow plants indoors, LED grow lights are proving invaluable alternative to older lighting systems. These energy efficient lamps are quickly replacing the high intensity driving (HID) systems because they can replicate the sun, but generate only the amount of light needed to ensure plant growth. This not only reduces wasted electricity, but costs less as well.
One of the advantages of these kinds of lights is the fact that they are energy efficient, which costs consumers much less money. The light emitted is still sufficient in order to ensure enough plant chlorophyll is generated to absorb the light plants need to develop. However, the way they work reduces wasted electricity and requires less heat than is found when utilizing high intensity driving systems.
It was common for some time for people to use HID systems in their homes, but they soon found the noise and heat generated was undesirable. The newer systems, however, are almost noise-free making sure that they do not become a disruption when in the home. They also require less maintenance than older systems and often only require bulbs to be changed at different stages of plant development.
Many previous systems used florescent bulbs. Although they lasted longer than traditional bulbs, they still had a limited lifetime. Additionally, they generated heat because they placed pressure on the bulbs. LED bulbs, on the other hand, last years longer and generate little heat, if any. This is because they draw less electricity making them cheaper to run over time.
With advances in technology, it's not surprising that LED systems are now used for growing plants as well as in many other products. Despite this fact, many customers prefer other systems including those that use florescent illumination. However, the newer models are equipped with advanced technology which requires less maintenance and saves money.
The system was actually invented in 1962 by a scientist who discovered that plants have stages of development that required different spectrums of light to remain healthy. These wave lengths vary depending on the type and species of plants grown. For instance, tropical plants would need a different system than vegetables. By changing the bulbs as plants grew, it was found that they were healthier and developed more quickly than with older systems.
For the most part, plants need different kinds of light at different stages of development. Although these are mainly in the red and blue spectrum that gives plants their green color, as they develop they require different intensities in these hues. Therefore, LED systems come in red lights at 660nm and blue at 880nm. To replicate this with florescent systems requires 6500K of blue and 2700K of red, which uses much more energy.
There is no doubt that as technology continues to develop LED grow lights will continue to evolve. As they currently are designed they are more cost-efficient, reduce electric bills, and cost less initially than older systems. It should be remembered, however, that many companies make this product and quality varies widely. Therefore, thorough research should be conducted prior to making a purchase.
One of the advantages of these kinds of lights is the fact that they are energy efficient, which costs consumers much less money. The light emitted is still sufficient in order to ensure enough plant chlorophyll is generated to absorb the light plants need to develop. However, the way they work reduces wasted electricity and requires less heat than is found when utilizing high intensity driving systems.
It was common for some time for people to use HID systems in their homes, but they soon found the noise and heat generated was undesirable. The newer systems, however, are almost noise-free making sure that they do not become a disruption when in the home. They also require less maintenance than older systems and often only require bulbs to be changed at different stages of plant development.
Many previous systems used florescent bulbs. Although they lasted longer than traditional bulbs, they still had a limited lifetime. Additionally, they generated heat because they placed pressure on the bulbs. LED bulbs, on the other hand, last years longer and generate little heat, if any. This is because they draw less electricity making them cheaper to run over time.
With advances in technology, it's not surprising that LED systems are now used for growing plants as well as in many other products. Despite this fact, many customers prefer other systems including those that use florescent illumination. However, the newer models are equipped with advanced technology which requires less maintenance and saves money.
The system was actually invented in 1962 by a scientist who discovered that plants have stages of development that required different spectrums of light to remain healthy. These wave lengths vary depending on the type and species of plants grown. For instance, tropical plants would need a different system than vegetables. By changing the bulbs as plants grew, it was found that they were healthier and developed more quickly than with older systems.
For the most part, plants need different kinds of light at different stages of development. Although these are mainly in the red and blue spectrum that gives plants their green color, as they develop they require different intensities in these hues. Therefore, LED systems come in red lights at 660nm and blue at 880nm. To replicate this with florescent systems requires 6500K of blue and 2700K of red, which uses much more energy.
There is no doubt that as technology continues to develop LED grow lights will continue to evolve. As they currently are designed they are more cost-efficient, reduce electric bills, and cost less initially than older systems. It should be remembered, however, that many companies make this product and quality varies widely. Therefore, thorough research should be conducted prior to making a purchase.
About the Author:
Thomas Bleier is an avid gardener and orchid enthusiast. For more information about LED grow lights, visit www.led-grow-lights.com.
