Are Water Cooled LED Grow Lights Better?

Compared to traditional light sources like HPS, LEDs generate less heat during operations. Therefore, LED grow lights can be placed nearer to plants. However, if not handle this heat properly, it will do harm to both LED grow lights and plants. The heat will also increase indoor temperature. Stable and appropriate temperature is critical in CEA. To remove the heat, cooling machines like fans are added to greenhouses, vertical farms, and other grow rooms. At present, a cooling technology called ‘water cooling ’ is widely used in commercial cultivation. LED lighting systems utilize water-cooled technology to cool LED fixtures. And grow lights in these lighting system contain a water-based cooling system to remove the heat. Water cooled lighting system increases lighting efficiency effectively by removing the unwanted heat. But are water cooled LED grow lights really better than common grow lights?

What is a water cooled LED grow light

A water cooled LED grow light contains a water-based cooling system. It is designed with spectrum in PAR range to meet the needs of plants precisely. That is to say, the water cooled LED grow light also delivers high intensity and efficacy lighting for your plants. But most water cooled LED grow lights have a smaller size than common equivalents. Because they do not require additional spaces for cooling fins. In a water cooled lighting system, cold water is pumped through the LED grow lights. The cold water absorbs the heat produced by LED fixtures and cools the fixtures. The lower working temperature improves efficiency and extends the lifespan of LED grow lights. With the combination of effective light spectrum and higher efficiency, growers can achieve better quality and higher yields.

How water cooled lighting system work

In general, a water cooled lighting system consists a chiller, LED grow lights, water supply pipes, return pies, a pump, and a water storage tank. The pump sends water through the piping network and absorbs the heat created by LED grow lights. Since the heat is removed, the working temperature of LED fixtures is lowered. After absorbing the heat, the hot water will flow back to the chiller. A chiller is used to cool the water. Finally, the cooled water will be stored in a water storage tank. This water can be recirculated for the next cooling process. There will be no waste of water resources or new heat generation in the water cooled lighting system. The heat of some water cooled lighting systems can be reused directly in heating the water in hydroponic ponds or benches under the crops.

Advantages and disadvantages of water cooled LED grow lights

Advantages:

• Increase lifespan and efficiency of LED grow lights

As known, over heat is negative to LED fixtures. It will reduce the lifespan and efficiency of LED grow lights. In contrast, water-cooled LED grow lights operate at a lower working temperature. Thus, they are less likely to breakdown or fault because of the over heat. The lower operating temperature also ensures the light output of LED grow lights, keeping the high efficiency.

• Prevent plants from thermal shock

The heat produced by LED grow lights will increase indoor temperature. High temperature also disturb the growth of plants. It can even cause serious tip burns on leaves. Most commercial growers plant their crops in a controlled growing environment. The heat created by LED grow lights may damage the balance, resulting poor growth of plants. With water-cooled LED grow lights, there is no additional heat in the indoor environment. Therefore, water-cooled LED grow lights can prevent plants from thermal shock and unhealthy growth.

• Reduce energy cost

Growers add fans and other cooling machines to remove the heat generated by common LED grow lights. But it increases the energy cost for running machines. The water-cooled LED grow lights use water as cooling media, which not only removes heat effectively but also reduces the energy cost. Furthermore, there is no waste of water resource in a water-cooled lighting system. It is a great advantage to save costs for energy and new machines.

Disadvantages:

• More complicated

Compared to air cooled LED grow lights, structures of water-cooled LED grow lights are more complicated. Water-cooled LED grow lights allow cold water to flow through without affecting lighting performance to plants. Except for the structure, water-cooled LED grow lights also require pumps, chillers, and other equipment to operate effectively.

• Higher cost

Water-cooled LED grow lights require additional equipment like chillers to run effectively. The cost of equipment and water-cooled LED grow lights themselves are higher than air cooled LED grow lights. Moreover, the cost for maintenance could be very high. Each part of the water-cooled lighting system requires regular checkups. If the pumps fails, it may also lead to damage to LED fixtures.

• Risk of safety

Although water-cooled lighting systems can reduce energy costs, it has the risk of safety. The water-cooled lighting system faces the risk of short circuits and even electrical shocks. Water is a threat of electronics. It can accelerate corrosion of the lighting system. The poorly designed and constructed water-cooled cooling system may leak, and result in damage to grow lights and personnel.

Conclusion

Water cooling LED grow lights are more complicated than air cooled LED grow lights. They also have higher costs for maintenance and additional equipment. Poor designed and constructed water-cooled LED grow lights face the risk of short circuit and electrical shock. But there is no perfect products. Therefore, it is hard to conclude whether water-cooled LED grow lights are better. It depends on your needs.

Consider these factors, selecting the high quality water-cooled LED grow lights from reliable horticulture lighting manufactures can help you minimize the disadvantages. And water-cooled lighting system is ideal for various applications, especially commercial greenhouses and vertical farms. Atop also provide custom water-cooled lighting solutions. Using water cooled LED grow lights contributed to a more controllable growing environment and higher lighting efficiency. Less radiant heat and the well-designed spectrum are beneficial for plant growth, resulting in better quality and yields of plants, and reduced costs.

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