5 Maintenance Tips for Commercial Lighting Systems

A large chunk of a business’ utilities and maintenance expenses can come from its lighting. If your enterprise in [city] is a retail store, for example, having several high-power light bulbs lighting up in-store displays the entire day can translate to hefty electricity bill each month. And that doesn’t even include the cost of replacing burnt out light bulbs.

Naturally, it’s in any business owner’s best interest to keep their commercial lighting in top condition. With a comprehensive maintenance routine, business owners will save money, while simultaneously improving the appearance of their businesses and boosting employee productivity.

Below are five lighting maintenance tips to maximize the lifespan and performance of your commercial lights.

1. Using the Right Replacement Lamps

It’s important to be conscious about the types of lamps you install in your establishment because different lamps have different characteristics.

For example, fluorescent tubes are the classic choice for most commercial and institutional facilities because they offer a bright light output and they’re fairly inexpensive when purchased in bulk.

But modern lamps, such as LEDs, offer a quality of light that rivals traditional fluorescent tubes while using a fraction of the electricity they use. Furthermore, LEDs last much longer, are more rugged, and generate low heat. The trade-off, however, is that they tend to be more expensive. But if you are willing to make the investment, LEDs eventually pay for themselves in the long run.

2. Clean Your Fixtures Regularly

Believe it or not, dust can actually diminish a light fixture’s output by 10 percent per year. And even in seemingly clean environments, dust can still accumulate on the enclosures of lamps. If left alone long enough, this can damage your light bulb by causing it to overheat—this is especially true for halogen lamps and incandescent bulbs.

3. Conduct Routine Check-Ups

A scheduled monthly maintenance check lets you monitor the condition of your lighting system, helping spot problems early on like a bulb that’s flickering or beginning to dim. By catching the problem early, you can make a replacement when it’s most convenient rather than have a burnt-out bulb interrupt your business operations.

4. Check Lighting Pre-Sets Periodically

Other than checking the physical lighting system, it’s also important to check any pre-set functions every now and then. For example, timers and dimmers should be monitored to ensure they’re working properly at all times.

Some dimming systems are programmed with pre-sets that rarely need to be changed. If your current lighting system has similar dimmers, lock these pre-sets either electronically or mechanically to prevent issues.

5. Ensure Replacement Components Match the Original

When making replacements, make sure you use components that match the original. This applies to

drivers, transformers, and other parts of the lighting system, all of which should have similar performance characteristics. The easiest way to do this is to purchase components from the same brand or maker. This not only ensures that the components are compatible with each other, but it also makes troubleshooting easier since you’ll only need to reach out one brand for support.

When it comes to commercial lighting, preparation and prevention is key to avoiding any disruptions. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your lighting stays in tip-top condition the whole year round.