As agriculture and horticulture evolve, so do the technologies that support them. Among these innovations, LED grow lights have revolutionized indoor cultivation, offering benefits such as precise spectrum control and extended lifespans. However, with any advancement comes scrutiny—particularly regarding cost-effectiveness.
A key concern for growers is electricity consumption. Are LED grow lights truly energy-efficient and cost-effective for modern indoor farming? Let’s shed some light on the subject.
How to Judge Whether an LED Grow Light Is Cost-Effective?
Check Your Light Wattage
LED grow lights with lower wattage ratings are typically more cost-effective because they consume less electricity while still delivering the essential light spectrum for plant growth. These energy-efficient lights not only reduce ongoing electrical expenses but also exhibit longer lifespans, minimizing replacement and maintenance costs.
The wattage of LED grow lights plays a significant role in determining their cost performance, especially when considering lights with the same coverage area. To illustrate this, let's examine two scenarios with different wattage LED grow lights covering the same 4'x4' area.
Scenario 1: A 650W LED Grow Light
This light consumes 650 watts of electricity per hour.
Assuming it operates for 12 hours a day, the daily energy consumption is 650W x 12 hours = 7.8 kWh.
At an electricity rate of $0.12 per kWh, the daily cost is $0.12 x 7.8 kWh = $0.94.
Over a month (30 days), the cost would be $0.94 x 30 = $28.2.
Scenario 2: A 800W LED Grow Light
This light consumes 800 watts of electricity per hour.
Operating for 12 hours daily, it consumes 800W x 12 hours = 9.6 kWh per day.
At the same electricity rate, the daily cost is $0.12 x 9.6 kWh = $1.15.
Over a month, this amounts to $1.15 x 30 = $34.5.
Comparing the two scenarios, the 650W LED grow light costs significantly less to operate over a month, saving nearly half of the electricity costs compared to the 800W light while providing equivalent coverage.
Within the same coverage area, grow lights with lower wattage typically result in lower electricity costs, while higher wattage increases your electricity bill. However, you don’t want your lights to be too weak, so it’s important to choose wisely. Look for grow lights that provide sufficient light for your indoor plants without driving up your expenses.
Uniform PPFD Value or Not
The relationship between uniform PPFD and the cost-effectiveness of LED grow lights is integral to achieving optimal indoor cultivation results while keeping operational expenses in check. So whether an LED grow light can provide enough light for plants at every stage of their growth is also the standard for testing the quality.
When comparing LED lights with similar PPFD values, some have weaker edge coverage. To compensate, they require higher luminosity, increasing costs. In contrast, lights with uniform PPFD do not need this boost.
To better illustrate this to you, we collected some data. Brand A grow lights provide uniform PPFD. And each position within the coverage area can receive relatively average light. There will be no hot spots in the center, and the PPFD value in the corners can also reach about 400µMol/m2/S. Brand B grow lights provide uneven PPFD value. And the PPFD value in the corners of the coverage area is only about 200µMol/m2/S. Hot spots appear in the center, which can easily burn the plants.
Taking weed as an example, seedlings need 100-300 µMol/m²/s. Brand A’s 25% luminosity suffices, while Brand B needs 50%, raising electricity costs. As a result, brand A is more cost-effective by offering uniform light distribution.
Use the Formula to Calculate
To get a really accurate idea of what your electricity bill will be when you introduce grow lights in your growing, you can use the Grow Light Cost-Effectiveness Calculator. By entering some simple information, you can find out how cost-effective your grow lights are (how much it costs to grow a gram of weed) in a short time. It gives you a realistic expectation of the cost of using grow lights for your indoor plants.
First, to calculate the cost-effectiveness of your LED grow lights, you need to collect a few data:
- Electricity cost per cycle($)
- LED grow light cost($)
- Benchmark harvest(PPF value/0.5)
The basic principle for calculating the cost-effectiveness of LEDs is to divide the sum of electricity bill and grow light costs by the yield to get the cost per gram of weed grown. And the smaller the final calculated value, the more cost-effective your LED grow light will be.
Formula: Cost performance ($/g)= (Electricity cost per cycle+ LED cost) / total output
For example: ($84.56+$249.99)/416g=$0.8/g
Here, we compare the Mars Hydro FC-E1000W grow light with several popular LED grow lights on the market with similar power draw and PPF values, and calculate their cost performance for your reference.
Brand | LED Cost ($) | Power Draw (W) | PPF Value (umol/S) | Benchmark Harvest (g) | Electricity Cost per Cycle ($) | Cost Efficiency ($/g) |
Mars Hydro | 819.99 | 900 | 2766 | 1383 | 253.69 | 0.78 |
A | 1299 | 1000 | 2900 | 1450 | 281.88 | 1.09 |
B | 1299 | 1050 | 2470 | 1235 | 295.97 | 1.29 |
According to the data calculated in the above table, Mars Hydro FC-E1000W has the lowest Cost efficiency value, which means that this grow light has the highest cost performance compared to the other two.
Mars Hydro FC-E Series – The Most Cost-Effective Choice
The Mars Hydro FC-E Smart LED Grow Lights are an excellent choice for cost-effective indoor cultivation. Featuring high-performance Bridgelux lamp beads and an impressive PPE of up to 2.8 μmol/J, these lights help growers achieve yields of up to 2.5g per watt. Built with premium materials and efficient heat dissipation, the long lifespan of the FC-E series supports multiple growing cycles with a single lamp, making it a smart investment with high returns.
Designed for full-spectrum coverage, the FC-E series delivers light rich in the PAR range, ensuring healthy plant growth from seedling to harvest. The strip design provides even light distribution, so every plant receives optimal illumination without the risk of burns from excessive PPFD at the center.
With outstanding performance, energy efficiency, and affordability, the FC-E series is the ideal upgrade for growers looking to maximize yields while keeping costs low.
