Is This the Right Time to Convert My [city] Business to LED?

Here is 2021, it is hard to imagine anyone discounting the incredible energy savings that comes with LED technology. When compared with traditional overheat lighting, LEDS are capable of putting out more light for less watts, unlocking incredible savings for businesses small and large.

But making the switch to commercial LED lighting systems can be a big jump, especially for businesses with large warehouses, multiple facilities, or complicated lighting needs. In fact, the initial investment required for an LED upgrade can be beyond prohibitive. That’s why its important for [city] business owners to take their time with such projects to ensure that they aren’t costing more than they should.

If your business is moving towards LED bulbs, here’s what you need to think about to get started:

Evaluate Your Commercial Lighting Needs

There are a number of no-brainer reasons to switch to commercial LEDs:

• LED light bulbs use 80% less electricity on average
• Smart LED lighting systems can further decrease energy usage
• Smart LED lighting controls can lead to happier, healthier employees

But the benefits to your energy bill is hardly the only thing that a facility owner or manager needs to think about when planning a new system. It is necessary to understand exactly how much light will be needed for the specific purpose, whether it’s flood lighting for a production line or more subtle, smart-controlled accent lighting for hallways and waiting areas.

Businesses that are replacing the lighting in their current system need to take into account their current lumen output and bulb temperature. Otherwise, the switch to LED can lead to some pretty jarring differences in light quantity and quality.

Do Your LED Homework (Watts, Lumens, & Color Temperature)

Performing an LED upgrade or retrofit on the commercial level requires careful consideration of wattage, Lumen output, and color temperature. Neglecting these things can lead to unexpected results, and the change is sure to be jarring to anyone in the building.

Watts

The first step is knowing the approximate Watts your current system is running. With this number, business owners can predict how much energy they will be saving on average, and therefore, how quickly the project will be paying for itself.

Lumens

Lumen output is a measurement of the amount of light given off by the system. But because LEDs and traditional bulbs work in very different ways, it is not always an exact translation. LED bulbs are shaped differently than traditional bulbs, which allow them to retain more light than fluorescents, which lose a lot of light in the fixture.

Research Local Utility Rebates for LED Lighting Systems

Before you commence your commercial LED upgrade, be sure to check with your company’s utility company. Most utility companies are offering significant rebates for customers who make investments in energy-saving technology like LED. These rebates can make the project much cheaper to pull off, and will decrease the amount of time it takes to recoup your investment.