How to Save Money on Indoor Growing
Do you enjoy indoor growing, but does your electricity bill frighten you? Fortunately, there are ways to keep costs under control while maintaining high yields. With the right technologies and approach, it is possible to save significantly – not only money, but also natural resources. In the following lines, we will show you how.
Indoor growing can be efficient and sustainable, but the costs of energy, water and other materials can rise quickly. However, with the right choice of technologies and growing methods, you can significantly reduce consumption and save money. In this article, we will look at the best ways to optimise the growing environment, minimise costs and at the same time maintain high yields and harvest quality. We will focus on energy-saving grow lights, ecological fans, efficient irrigation systems and other practical tips.
Switch to more energy-efficient appliances
The biggest item in the budget for most growers is the cost of electricity consumed. Grow lights and fans consume the most electrical energy, as do other high-performance appliances such as heaters, dehumidifiers or air conditioning units. In this case, the path to savings lies in modernising the equipment, especially the grow lighting and ventilation.
Grow lights: LED vs. HPS lamps
Grow lights are the centrepiece of every grow room and also the biggest energy consumer. For rapid growth, plants need very intense light with the correct colour spectrum, which provides them with the energy for photosynthesis. For decades, indoor growers used high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS), but in the last decade these have been replaced by modern LED grow lights. These consume up to 50% less energy than HPS lamps, which significantly reduces the running costs of the grow room. In practice, this means that when growing in a 2x2 m2 grow box, you can replace a 1,000-watt HPS lamp with an LED panel with an input of 600 W, which represents a saving of around 40%. Another advantage of LED panels is that they emit less heat and their lifespan is several times longer than that of HPS lamps. Although the initial investment in LED lights may seem relatively high, their low consumption and long lifespan mean significant savings over the longer term.
Extract fans: AC vs. EC motors
Extract fans are second only to grow lighting in terms of energy consumption. They maintain a suitable climate in the growing space by removing both humidity and heat from the grow room. Many growers still use classic fans with AC (alternating current) motors instead of the now affordable electronically commutated (EC) motors, which are significantly more efficient. Compared with AC motors, EC motors achieve up to three times higher efficiency, wear out more slowly, heat up less and are quieter. In addition, they are easier and more precisely controllable, and their compact design saves space. As with lighting, the higher purchase price of fans is quickly offset by a lower electricity bill.
Are you only just starting with indoor growing and unsure about buying equipment? We have prepared complete indoor growing kits for you.
How to reduce costs for water, fertilisers and substrates
Other significant costs in indoor growing include fertilisers, growing substrates and, in some cases, the price of water. The following measures will help you avoid expensive waste and at the same time contribute to more ecological and gentler growing.
Efficient irrigation systems
Automatic and hydroponic irrigation systems allow you to water plants precisely according to their needs, minimising water losses through evaporation or runoff. If you want to save money, avoid “run-to-waste” growing methods, where excess water after watering is drained away.
How to save on fertilisers
Depending on your growing style, fertilisers and plant nutrition supplements may represent a smaller or larger strain on your budget. Highly effective mineral fertilisers used in intensive growing techniques cost a considerable amount of money and must be used with every watering. Growing with organic slow-release fertilisers and pre-fertilised substrates may be somewhat cheaper. In any case, always pay attention to the correct dosage. Overuse of fertilisers is not only unnecessary waste, but can irreversibly damage your plants.
Recycling substrates
Some growing substrates can be cleaned and reused after the end of the growing cycle. Coconut fibres are particularly suitable for this purpose, as are soil mixes, perlite or expanded clay. When recycling substrates, one essential rule applies. If you encountered problems with mould, rot or pests during the growing cycle, avoid reusing the substrate. After each cycle, rinse the substrate with clean water, let it dry and clean it of root residues. Finally, soak the substrate in a solution with enzyme. Do not use the same substrate for more than three growing cycles in a row. Remember that in the case of horticultural soil, the soil will be depleted after the first cycle. You can supply nutrients to plants with mineral fertilisers or enrich the soil with worm humus, compost or organic slow-release fertilisers.
Looking for more tips on indoor and outdoor growing? Do not forget to visit the Higarden blog.