Why HIDs are Like Hand Grenades and LEDs are Like Sniper Rifles

The more I study about grow lights, the more I start thinking that traditional high-intensity discharge lights are like hand grenades and LED lights are like sniper rifles. I originally was going to call this article, “Why LED lights are more efficient than HID lights” but then I got off on this tangent of weaponry (bear with me and I think you’ll find this article useful).

One of the main reasons people buy LED grow lights is efficiency. An efficient light doesn’t require as much energy and it puts off less heat. This article will help explain why LED lights are so much more efficient than traditional (high-intensity discharge) lights. There are two main reasons LED lights are more efficient: (1) Control of light beam direction and (2) control of light beam wave-length or color.

(1). Control of Light Beam Direction

The beauty of LED lights is that their light beam direction can be controlled. This means that the lights are more efficient because they can be guided to only hit the plant. Traditional growing lights spray light everywhere. This makes them less efficient (they waste energy).

A good comparison is a hand grenade (traditional HID) to a sniper rifle (LED). The hand grenade gets the job done but it wastes a lot of energy (and it lets everyone know that you are there). The sniper rifle also gets the job done, but it is efficient (and nobody knows you are there). Both have their time and place.

HIDs Compensate for this by Using Reflectors

HID lights require reflectors because of the lack of control. Adding a reflector isn’t really a big deal; it’s just one more thing to clutter up the house though. In addition, some research that I have read indicates that light loses some of its power as it bounces off of objects.

Needless to say, the light on the left is acting more efficiently.

(2). Control of Light Beam Wave-Length or Color

Scientists have discovered that plants only use certain light wave-lengths or colors for photosynthesis. In other words, plants don’t need all the different colors of light put off by the sun. The exact color spectrum that plants do need is still a subject of some debate, but scientists believe they are rapidly approaching the exact spectrum of colors needed to optimally grow plants (pretty cool right?). Humans have the ability to control the exact light beam color produced by an LED light. The same type of control is not possible with traditional HID grow lights.

The wave-length or color spectrum put out by traditional HID lights cannot be controlled. LED light wave-lengths can be controlled. Again, the example of a hand grenade versus a sniper rifle is relevant. HID lights are throwing all the wave-lengths out there while LED grow lights are only throwing the necessary wave-lengths out there. The hand grenade will get the job done, but it’s not as efficient (and it lets all your enemies know you are there).

Why is Efficiency Important?

I’m not trying to make HID lights look bad here. They get the job done and they do it well. The thing is, if you can find a tool that will get the same job done and that tool is more efficient, then you’ve found a better tool.

Efficiency is important because it means less energy used and less heat. This means that you can improve the environment and save on your energy bills. In addition, some people want to grow in a stealth environment and a hand-grenade is usually not the best option for stealth.

The next time you go to grow a plant indoor ask yourself do you need a hand grenade or a sniper rifle?