T5 LED Grow Lamps VS Fluorescent Tubes
Upgrading to T5 LED grow lamps from T5 fluorescents offers numerous benefits for plant growth and cost savings. With a longer lifespan and dedicated horticultural spectrums, LED lamps are more energy efficient, emit less heat and are environmentally friendly. When you are ready to upgrade your own T5 lamps, you can choose from our options of plug and play T5 LED grow lamps, ballast bypass T5 LED grow lamps or our complete LED grow lights.
Active Grow T5 LED grow lamps are 50% more energy efficient than fluorescent lamps, consuming less energy while producing the same amount of light or more. This is due to their ability to convert more of the electricity they consume into light with less energy lost as heat. T5 LED grow lamps not only reduce your electricity bill but also emit less heat, which helps maintain a more stable growing environment and reduces the need for additional cooling.
Ballast energy consumption note: For a 4 lamp T5 fluorescent light fixture, manufacturers will claim a system power of 216W, which seems to make sense at first (4X54W=216W). However, the actual system wattage includes additional power drawn from ballasts. In reality, most utilities rate these fixtures at 234W, or 58.5W per lamp. The Active Grow T5 LED 4FT 4 Lamp Grow Light’s total system wattage is 100W as it does not require a ballast to operate, therefore it is 57% more efficient than its fluorescent equivalent.
T5 LED lamps have a longer lifespan than fluorescent lamps due to their construction and the way they produce light, with an average lifetime of up to 30,000 hours or more compared to fluorescent lamps' 10,000 hours. This means that switching to LED grow lamps can save you money and reduce waste from replacing lamps. Moreover, the longer lifespan of LED grow lamps is beneficial for plants since they need consistent and reliable light to grow well, and LED grow lamps provide the necessary light intensity and spectrum for a longer period without needing to be replaced.
Compared to fluorescents that use outdated lighting technology, LED grow lamps offer a high degree of customization in terms of plant and mushroom usable light spectrums. By using Active Grow T5 LED grow lamps with dedicated horticultural light spectrums, growers can provide optimal light conditions for their crops during different stages of growth. With the latest LED technology, growers can cater to the specific needs of different cultivars, optimizing their growth, coloration, flavor, yield and more.
Fluorescent lamps generate a significant amount of heat as a byproduct of their operation, which can create high temperatures in the grow space and damage plants or make the growing environment unstable. In contrast, T5 LED grow lamps are designed to be highly efficient at converting energy into light while generating less heat, which helps regulate the temperature in the grow space and create a safe, stable growing environment. Additionally, the reduced heat output of LED grow lamps means less need for supplemental cooling, resulting in energy savings and reduced equipment costs.
Unlike fluorescent lamps, which contain toxic substances like mercury, LED grow lamps do not contain any hazardous materials, making them safer for the environment and human health. Additionally, LED grow lamps are more energy-efficient, which means they consume less energy and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. This lower energy consumption translates into lower energy bills for growers and a reduced carbon footprint. Overall, the environmental benefits of LED grow lamps make them a more sustainable and responsible choice for indoor growers who want to grow their plants while minimizing their impact on the planet.
Ready to Replace Your T5 Fluorescent Lamps?
At Active Grow, we offer three options for upgrading to T5 LED grow lamps: plug and play T5 LED grow lamps, ballast bypass T5 LED grow lamps or an entirely new grow light fixture designed for use with our ballast bypass T5 LED grow lamps. No matter which option you choose, you can trust Active Grow to provide high-quality LED growing solutions that will improve your plant and fungi growth and save you money on your energy bill.
Active Grow T5 HO Plug & Play LED Grow Lamps are an excellent option for indoor growers who want to upgrade to LED technology without replacing their existing T5 fixtures. These LED grow lamps work with ballasts in your current fixtures, making for a quick and easy installation without the need for additional electrical work. Before purchasing, it's essential to double-check the ballast compatibility list to confirm that the lamps will work with your specific fixture. By doing so, you can ensure that the lamps will work as intended and provide optimal performance for your plants.
Active Grow T5 HO Ballast Bypass LED Grow Lamps are another option for indoor growers who want to upgrade to LED technology. Unlike plug and play T5 LED grow lamps, ballast bypass T5 LED grow lamps require the user to rewire the fixture to single-ended power. While this method may take more time to complete, it offers maximum energy efficiency and eliminates the need for power-sucking ballasts. By bypassing the ballast, the T5 LED grow lamps can operate at their full potential, providing higher energy savings for years of use without ever having to deal with ballast issues. While the rewiring process may seem daunting at first, it's a relatively simple procedure that can be completed with the help of a few tools and a bit of patience. Watch this video for detailed installation steps
For growers who don't have a T5 fixture or want to completely upgrade their old one, Active Grow has developed the T5 HO 2.0 LED Grow Light specifically for horticulture. This fixture comes with ballast bypass T5 LED grow lamps that provide uninterrupted lighting, ensuring excellent photon output for growing all kinds of plants indoors. The T5 HO 2.0 LED Grow Light’s lightweight, thin and sturdy polycarbonate frame allows growers to maximize their vertical space, while the dual on-off switches provide flexibility for different stages of plant growth. Daisy-chain ports let growers connect multiple fixtures together on a single 120-277V circuit for a cleaner installation with less wiring. With this state-of-the-art grow light solution, growers can rest assured knowing their crops are receiving high-quality, energy-efficient plant lighting that maximizes their success in the garden or farm.
