Key Takeaways –
- A grow tent is a great way to cultivate plants indoors.
- The average electricity usage of a grow tent is 100 watts.
- You can reduce your grow tent’s electricity usage by using energy-efficient light bulbs and timers.
- Grow tents can be an affordable way to cultivate plants indoors.
You may be wondering how much electricity a grow tent uses. This is an important question to consider before making a purchase, as grow tents can be a significant INVESTMENT.
There are a few reasons why you might want to know the electricity usage of a grow tent. Perhaps you’re trying to grow plants for the first time and want to make sure you have enough room in your budget for the grow tent and the associated electricity costs.
Or maybe you’re already using a grow tent and would like to find ways to reduce your electricity bill. No matter what your reasons are, it’s important to have a good understanding of how much electricity a grow tent uses, and the price can vary depending on the wattage used.
In this article, we’ll discuss the average led grow light electricity cost, how much the average grow tent costs, and some ways you can reduce your spending. Keep reading to learn more.
How Much Electricity Does a Grow Tent Use?
In order to calculate how much electricity your grow tent will use, you need to know how many Watts per hour your appliances are using.
Most grow tents have an electrical usage of around 150-400 Watts per hour, so it’s important to take this into account when estimating your monthly electricity bill.
The price is also going to depend on the lights you use. For example, LED grow lights are going to cost more than energy-efficient ones.
There are a few ways to reduce your grow tent’s electricity usage, including using energy-efficient grow lights and investing in a grow tent with a built-in ventilation system.
How to Calculate How Much Energy Your Grow Room Will Use
If you want to calculate how much energy your grow room is going to use, you’ll have to do a little maths. The good news is that grow room electricity consumption is EASY to figure out.
In fact, we have a grow room electricity calculator that you can use to figure out the rough cost of your electric bill.
Start by multiplying the total number of grow lights by their wattage. Then, add up the wattage of all other appliances in the room. Finally, multiply this number by the number of hours the grow room will be in use each day.
For example, if you have two 100-watt grow lights and one 40-watt fan, your grow room will use 240 watts of electricity per hour. If you’re planning on using the grow room for 10 hours each day, you can expect to use 2,400 watts of electricity per day, or 72,000 watts per month.
Simple, right?
Does the Type of Grow Room Matter?
Now that you know how to calculate the electricity usage of your grow room, it’s time to learn about the different grow room setups and how they can affect your energy bill.
There are two main types of grow room setups: hydroponic and soil-based.
Hydroponic grow rooms use a closed-loop water system to circulate nutrients to the plants, while soil-based grow rooms rely on soil to provide nutrients.
Hydroponic grow rooms typically use less water and electricity than soil-based grow rooms, making them more efficient.
Pro Tip – If you’re looking to save on your grow room’s electricity usage, consider investing in a hydroponic grow room setup.
What are Grow Rooms Made From?
Most grow rooms are made from PVC or mylar, but there are a few different types of grow room materials to choose from.
PVC grow rooms are one of the most popular types of grow rooms on the market. They’re durable, easy to clean and typically very affordable.
Mylar grow rooms are also popular, as they’re reflective and help to MAXIMISE the grow room’s efficiency.
There are also grow rooms made from metal or wood, but these materials are less common.
What Size Grow Room Should I Get?
The size of your grow room will depend on a few factors, including the type of plants you’re growing, the grow lights you’re using and the ventilation system.
If you’re just starting out, we recommend getting a grow room that’s at least 4×4 feet. This will give you enough space to grow a few plants without overloading your grow room’s ventilation system.
As your grow room expands, you can always add on to the grow room or invest in a larger grow room.
What Ventilation System Should I Use?
Ventilation is one of the most important aspects of grow room design. Without proper ventilation, your grow room will be at risk of mold, mildew and other problems.
There are a few different types of grow room ventilation systems to choose from, but we recommend investing in an exhaust fan and carbon filter.
An exhaust fan will help to remove hot air and fumes from the grow room, while a carbon filter will help to eliminate odors.
Investing in a grow room ventilation system will help to keep your grow room clean and free of harmful toxins.
How Often Should I Ventilate My Grow Room?
Ventilation is important, but you don’t want to overdo it. Over-ventilation can lead to a drop in grow room temperature, which can STRESS your plants.
Pro Tip – As a general rule of thumb, you should ventilate your grow room for 10-15 minutes every hour.
If you notice your grow room’s temperature dropping, you can reduce the ventilation time to 5-10 minutes per hour.
What Temperature Should My Grow Room Be?
The ideal grow room temperature will depend on the type of plants you’re growing.
Most plants thrive in grow room temperatures between 68– and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re growing plants that require a higher or lower grow room temperature, be sure to adjust the grow room’s ventilation and grow lights accordingly.
How Much Does it Cost to Run Grow Lights?
Grow lights are one of the biggest contributors to a grow room’s electricity usage, and you’re probably going to want a rough idea of your grow room electricity bill.
Of course, the current economy means that the cost of electricity is higher than normal and you will need to check your local electricity cost for a more accurate representation.
The Type of Light Matters
Grow lights come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and wattages. The most common grow lights are fluorescent (CFL), metal halide (MH), LED lights, and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights.
CFL grow lights are the most efficient lights, followed by MH grow lights. HPS grow lights are the least energy-efficient grow lights, but they produce the most light.
Grow lights typically make up 50-75% of a grow room’s electricity usage, so it’s important to choose energy-efficient grow lights if you’re looking to save on your monthly electricity bill.
Calculating the Price
To calculate how much it will cost to run grow lights, you need to know the wattage of your grow lights and how many hours they will be in use each day. This tends to be based on a 100 plant grow room cost.
Let’s look at the cost to run 1000w led grow light.
For example, if you have two 1000-watt grow lights that will be in use for 10 hours each day, you can expect to use 20 kWh (kilowatt hour) of energy usage per day.
At the national average rate of $0.12 per kWh, you can expect to spend $2.40 per day or $72 per month on grow light electricity usage.
Of course, the price will vary according to the state you live in as well as the economy at the time. As of 2022, energy prices are looking to go up a little, so take this as a rough estimate.
What are the Setup Costs for an Indoor Grow Room?
The initial indoor grow room setup cost can range anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
Of course, the price will depend on the SIZE and COMPLEXITY of the grow room. A simple grow room with basic equipment will be on the lower end of the spectrum, while a large grow room with high-end equipment will be on the higher end.
To get a better idea of the setup cost for your grow room, consider the following factors:
- grow lights
- grow tents or grow boxes
- ventilation system
- grow medium (soil, hydroponics, etc.)
- grow room furniture (tables, shelves, etc.)
- grow room accessories (thermometers, humidity meters, etc.)
Grow lights are the most important factor to consider when setting up an indoor grow room. Grow tents and grow boxes are also important, as they provide the perfect environment for your plants to thrive.
Ventilation is also essential for grow rooms, as it helps to REGULATE temperature and humidity.
How Many Plants Should be in Your Grow Room?
The number of plants you have in your grow room will also affect the grow room electricity cost.
If you have more plants, you’ll need MORE grow lights and a bigger ventilation system. This will increase the grow room setup cost as well as the monthly grow room electricity cost.
Pro Tip – As a general rule of thumb, you should have at least 2 square feet of grow space per plant.
So, if you’re growing 10 plants, you should have a grow room that’s at least 20 square feet.
Of course, this is just a general guideline. The number of plants you can grow will also depend on the grow lights you’re using and the grow medium you’re using.
How Much is a Grow Box?
A grow box is a type of grow room that is typically used to grow small plants or herbs. Grow boxes are usually smaller than traditional grow rooms and use less electricity.
Grow boxes typically cost between $200 and $500, depending on the size and features.
Additionally, grow boxes are a great option for people who want to grow plants indoors but don’t have a lot of space or electricity to spare.
How to Keep the Costs Down for Your Grow Room
There are a few things you can do to keep the costs down for your grow room:
Choose energy-efficient grow lights
Since grow lights account for 50-75% of a grow room’s electricity usage, it’s important to choose energy-efficient grow lights.
CFL grow lights are the most energy-efficient grow lights, followed by MH grow lights. HPS grow lights are the least energy-efficient grow lights, but they produce the most light.
Reduce the number of grow lights
The more grow lights you have, the more electricity you’ll use. If you’re looking to save on your grow room electricity bill, try reducing the number of grow lights.
Use a grow light timer
Grow light timers help to regulate the amount of time your grow lights are in use. By using a grow light timer, you can ensure that your grow lights are only in use when they’re needed.
Invest in a grow room controller
Grow room controllers help to automate the grow room environment and can save you money on your grow room electricity bill.
Reduce the temperature in your grow room
The ideal grow room temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. By reducing the temperature in your grow room, you can reduce your grow room’s electricity usage.
These are just a few of the ways you can reduce the cost of running a grow room. By following these tips, you can save hundreds of dollars on your grow room electricity bill each year.
To Conclude
Grow tents are a great way to cultivate plants indoors. They can provide the perfect environment for your plants to thrive, but it’s important to know how much electricity they will use.
Grow lights are the biggest contributor to a grow room’s electricity usage, and you’re probably going to want a grow room that is energy-efficient.
To calculate how much it will cost to run grow lights, you need to know the wattage of your grow lights and how many hours they will be in use each day. After that, it’s simple maths.
We hope that this guide has helped you on your journey to becoming a cannabis grower and that it has also given you a good idea of the costs you can expect. Good luck with your adventure.
Sources:
https://www.growweedeasy.com/whats-the-cost-of-electricity-to-grow-marijuana