Lighting question and dilema

I currently run a couple of 1000 watt HPS lights for flowering in a cold basement. I have held off moving to newer lights for energy saving because in the winter the heat off the lights actually helps, in the summer I could use less heat. So with that in mind what do you recommend? Should I replace 1 of those with newer energy savings light fixture if so which one. Or should I replace both and add a space heater for winter (would this even save me any money, would my plants prefer the new lights?)

Thoughts, comments and suggestions are appreciated.

are you not satified with the HPS i have been thinking about the switch but only for good LED which may cost 1000 each but in the long long run if you are growing for profit go for it switch 1 and see if it makes a difference

osowhom said:

are you not satified with the HPS i have been thinking about the switch but only for good LED which may cost 1000 each but in the long long run if you are growing for profit go for it switch 1 and see if it makes a difference

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I only grow for the wife and I and give a great deal away. We are heavy smokers and like variety, we make edibles a lot more now with the wife going through chemo, I have a nugsmasher and have made vape oil and cartridges, I like to play and experiment I guess and most of all we love the taste of great quality weed in a joint for sharing. I visited Amsterdam in the mid 80's and was like so this is what weed is supposed to taste like and have been a weed snob ever since. The HPS are doing just fine to be honest, it is time next month to swap the bulbs out for the year and thought well maybe I should consider replacing a light for energy savings as my electric cost just seem to keep rising every other month recently.

I don't really see great savings in electricity to cover the cost of quality LED's, most recommend 300 watts per 4x4 area and from what I have read the heat load is still pretty high

I can't justify it in my situation, rooms too big

BleedsGreen said:

I currently run a couple of 1000 watt HPS lights for flowering in a cold basement. I have held off moving to newer lights for energy saving because in the winter the heat off the lights actually helps, in the summer I could use less heat. So with that in mind what do you recommend? Should I replace 1 of those with newer energy savings light fixture if so which one. Or should I replace both and add a space heater for winter (would this even save me any money, would my plants prefer the new lights?)

Thoughts, comments and suggestions are appreciated.

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If it's just efficiency. Get rid of the 1kw hps go CMH/LED mix. You have to set it up as a fan room with closets. A space heater at night in the fan room will maintain enough heat. Remember your closets or tents pull from the fan room.

FarmurJo said:

If it's just efficiency. Get rid of the 1kw hps go CMH/LED mix. You have to set it up as a fan room with closets. A space heater at night in the fan room will maintain enough heat. Remember your closets or tents pull from the fan room.

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I use a 12 x 12 room for flowering currently.

I don't think energy savings is the way to look at it. You'll need a 600-700 watt LED to cover the footprint of one of your HPS lights right now-if that light costs you around $1,000 or even less, say $800, how long would it take to recoup the money you spent on it through monthly electric bill savings? 300-400 watts isn't much unless you have really high rates-that might be $10 to $15 per month for me. LED becomes more attractive as the number of fixtures increase. I'd only replace your hps if the heat is a deal breaker during the summer months. The other question is, will one of those LED fixtures actually perform as well as a 1,000 watt HPS, esp a DE bulb? A lot of people say yes, but I haven't seen any conclusive evidence of it. Anyway, you would definitely love one of those high end LED fixtures, they are pretty sweet. Good luck!

Flower develops tighter harder under leds ive added cmh 315w with a sp3000 at 22in in a array format par reads 900 evenly in a4x4 area. I do lollipop and trim lightly . I grow in a soil mix . 4 gallon pots

I still am fond of my 1khps and have used it the last 2 weeks before chop . Not much diff.just more work

How long do these other lights last? I replace the HPS (2 1000 W) also the agrobright bulbs aren't all that cheap in the T5 for veg, I replace all bulbs every March.

Buy a par meter keep a tab on the levels. Yes they are expensive.

BleedsGreen said:

How long do these other lights last? I replace the HPS (2 1000 W) also the agrobright bulbs aren't all that cheap in the T5 for veg, I replace all bulbs every March.

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My COB LEDs are going on 4 years, running every day.

If you are using AC with the HPS lights. You will save on that hydro usage too when switching to LED.
I built a air cooled Cob hood and can run year round without ac. In the winter I duct the heat from the hood back into the grow room.

I don't currently use nor do I really need AC in that room other then a few days a year for that it is a non starter for me.