The 4 Most Common Mistakes Business Owners Make When Switching to LED

From Singapore and London, to India and the United States, more and more businesses around the world are using LED lighting to illuminate stores, offices, factory floors, and other commercial facilities. These modern lighting systems promise better energy efficiency (and thereby lower utility bills), superior durability, and long life spans.

But if you’re considering retrofitting your establishment’s lights with LEDs, there are a number of things to consider so you avoid making common mistakes. Here are four things every business owner in [city] should avoid when switching to LED lighting.

1. Not Planning for a Replacement Budget

Sure, a good LED bulb will last you longer than most bulbs in the market, but it’s important that you also consider the cost of replacing them once they do give up on you. For most facilities with one-shift operating hours, LEDs start failing at around their 10-year mark. By this time, you would have already made a return from your initial investment on the LED retrofit.

But planning a replacement budget is important since the LEDs you’re using now could possibly be obsolete or even unavailable after 10 years. With lighting technology rapidly developing, you may end up having to start over with completely new lighting tech in the next decade. Bottom line? Plan accordingly.

2. Not Testing Sample LEDs

Make it a point to test every single type of LED fixture you want to  buy before closing on a purchase agreement.

Most people don’t realize that LED technology is different from the regular florescent or incandescent bulbs they’re used to. For starters, the superior energy efficiency of LEDs means that a 10-watt LED will have a 100-watt incandescent bulb equivalent (in terms of brightness).

It’s a good idea to get a few LED samples and test them in the actual fixtures you plan to install them to get a sense of what they look and feel like. If you have workers in these areas, ask them what they think of the lights’ impact.

3. Not Buying Quality Bulbs

As more LED bulbs from different manufacturers hit the market, you’ll have to be more careful about the quality of the lights you choose. Be sure to purchase your lights from a reputable brand/company. Check for ETL (Environmental Testing Laboratories) or UL (Underwriters Laboratories) labels as this means that the bulbs have been tested for safety and quality. Do some research about the best LED brands, companies, and products used in a commercial setting.

4. Not Checking for Utility Rebates

Businesses who switch to LED lights are also given the benefit of rebates on their utility bills to recoup the cost of their investment more quickly. The rebates will vary between utility companies and will depend on whether you meet specific system qualifications. This also makes it important to accurately describe your new lighting system in your rebate application. For example, “bulb replacement” might have a lower rating compared to “retrofit kit”. Check what programs your utility provider offers and you might just end up saving more money than you initially thought.

We hope you find these tips helpful as your business shifts to a better lighting system.