You may not realize, but light output can be reduced to 10% due to dirt, dust, and buildup on a reflector. If not properly cleaned and maintained, this can mean a loss of quality in your crop, a longer crop cycle, and reduced overall yield. To retain the highest level of performance for your luminaires, we recommend cleaning the reflectors and lamps regularly. Ideally, this should be part of your cyclical maintenance routine.
Many horticultural lighting companies manufacture luminaires using inexpensive materials that need to be replaced frequently. P.L. Light Systems builds our products in North America, using only the highest quality parts and materials. Our light systems are more resistant to greenhouse environments and less corrosive, leading to a longer lifespan. So, our reflectors don’t have to be replaced yearly and are easily maintained with a simple cleaning.
Cleaning your reflector is easy and can be done using a simple 1:100 vinegar water solution. Try to incorporate this as part of your regular routine when cleaning other parts of your greenhouse.
Regular replacement of the lamps is also critical to maintaining the light output of the HID horticultural luminaires. Every 1% loss of light means a 1% loss in growth. This can have significant outcomes on your crop and yield. For high-pressure sodium lamps, replacement is recommended after 10,000 hours of operation. Some lamp failure will occur before this recommended interval, meaning single lamp replacement should be considered where necessary. Metal Halide lamps depreciate in output much quicker than HPS lamps – group relamping is recommended after 8,000 hours of operation (under normal operating conditions).
For more information on maintaining your luminaires check out our maintenance guide
And our how-to video on cleaning your reflectors and grow lights.