Energy costs complete grow tent: how much power does a grow cycle consume?
What does it cost to grow in a grow tent? This is one of the most frequently asked questions in indoor growing. In this article, we calculate the power consumption of grow lights and provide insight into the total energy costs per grow cycle.
💡 What determines power consumption?
The energy costs of a complete grow tent are mainly determined by:
- The wattage (Watt) of the grow light
- The number of burning hours per day
- The duration of the growth and flowering phase
- The electricity price (€/kWh)
👉 The grow light, in particular, is the biggest energy consumer.
🔦 Power of grow lights (LED vs HPS)
The required wattage per square meter differs per type of lighting:
- HPS: ± 600W (flowering) and 400W (growth)
- LED: ± 300W (flowering) and 200W (growth)
👉 LED grow lights consume up to 50% less energy than HPS.
⏱️ Burning hours per grow cycle
An average grow cycle consists of:
- Growth phase: 3 weeks (18 hours of light per day)
- Flowering phase: 9 weeks (12 hours of light per day)
This amounts to:
- Growth phase: 378 hours
- Flowering phase: 756 hours
🧮 Calculation of power consumption
Use the following formula:
number of hours × (Watt / 1000) = kWh
📊 Example (LED grow light)
- Growth phase: 378 × (200W / 1000) = 76 kWh
- Flowering phase: 756 × (300W / 1000) = 227 kWh
Total consumption: 303 kWh per grow cycle
Costs (at €0.33/kWh): ± €100 per grow cycle
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⚡ Other energy costs
In addition to the grow light, other components also consume energy:
- Exhaust system
- Clip fans
- Any heating or cooling
👉 These costs are often underestimated but are important for a realistic calculation.
💸 Saving energy in your grow tent
- Choose energy-efficient LED grow lights
- Use a timer for efficient light cycles
- Ensure good insulation of the grow tent
- Use energy-efficient ventilation
✅ Conclusion
- A grow tent consumes an average of ± 300 kWh per grow cycle
- The grow light is the biggest energy consumer
- LED lighting can save up to 50% on energy costs
- Good preparation prevents surprises