Category: Commercial Lighting

LED canopy lighting offers everything property owners need in a fixture. It is intense, energy efficient, reliable and long lasting, beating out long time options like HIDs and fluorescents in every way. It won’t be long before LEDs are the first choice in canopy lighting, and lighting experts are so impressed with the technology that many are now recommending it for a wide range of applications. The time has never been better for property owners to consider the benefits of LED fixtures.

What Is Canopy Lighting Used For?

Canopy lighting can be installed on residential properties, but it is usually found in front of businesses or in areas that are frequented by people or vehicles. They are always installed in areas that are likely to be active at night, like over a gas station or warehouse. Vertical lighting capabilities, lighting intensity, low operating and maintenance costs and reliability are all essential qualities to have in canopy lighting.

Like the term suggests, canopy lighting is installed directly above the target area offering an intense pool of illumination to ensure visibility and safety. Although canopy lighting can come in pendant, recessed or surface mount forms it is always placed on the underside of an overhang or soffit.

There are numerous applications of canopy lighting. In addition to gas stations, covered walkways, garages, warehouses and industrial facilities, product showrooms are also ideal spots for these fixtures.

Why Should Property Owners Update Their Canopy Lighting?

High intensity discharge, or HID technology was the canopy lighting option of choice for decades, along with fluorescent fixtures. This is a quickly changing trend though as property owners are realizing a boost in savings and performance by switching to LED fixtures. LED technology has replaced HID, fluorescent and other fixtures in many applications including canopy lighting applications.

Why has LED become a compelling choice for property owners? There are several reasons, including:

1. Low energy costs – Canopy lighting must be on for hours at a time, and in some settings it’s better to keep it on even when no one is taking advantage of it. For example, gas stations will keep their fixtures on from sundown to sunrise, because it encourages people to stop and patronize the business. In this instance, canopy lighting provides that sense of comfort and safety that people look for at night.

Low energy and maintenance costs are essential, and LED is far superior to all other technologies in both respects. The advantage is particularly noticeable when comparing LED and HID technology. The important metric here is the watt-to-lumen ratio. The greater the number of lumens per watt, the more efficient it is at converting energy to light.

LED fixtures regularly achieve ratios in excess of 100 lumens per watt, which is impressive. HID manufacturers may advertise similar ratios, but the listed watt-to-lumen number is often way off once the HID fixture is put in practice. That’s because HID fixtures tend to radiate in all directions, so only some of those lumens make it to the ground. Reflectors can offset this, but reflectors are heavy and are not 100 percent efficient. LED, by contrast, does not radiate but is naturally directional. This makes it easier to direct all of the LED’s output toward the ground and achieve a brighter result.

Further, HID lamps degrade faster in performance compared to LED. It’s common to see somewhere close to a 20 percent output reduction after the HID fixture has operated for about 8,000 hours. At this mark, LED fixtures will still be operating near peak output levels. If the lights are kept on for 12 hours a day, it will only take a couple years before the HID fixtures are noticeably dimmer than LED lights with the same watt-to-lumen ratio.

2. Longevity and low maintenance costs – These two go hand in hand, as most of the associated maintenance costs are due to replacement. In this respect, LEDs are often maintenance free for years after installation. That’s because most LED canopy lighting is rated for at least 50,000 hours of performance, and some are rated for twice as long. HID fixtures are only rated for 15,000 to 25,000 hours of performance, but declining performance means HIDs usually have to be replaced before that mark.

LEDs can go for years without being addressed, while HIDs may need to be switched out two or three times during that span. Also, HID fixtures have to be regulated with an onboard ballast and that has to be replaced separately adding to maintenance expenditures. The cost advantage here is clearly in LED’s favor.

3. Controllability – LEDs are built on top of solid state circuitry, while HIDs and fluorescent lights use reactive gases to output illumination. Solid state circuits are far easier to control, responding to the same electrical impulses that a computer utilizes. This added controllability gives LEDs a lot more utility in a few ways.

For instance, LED canopy lighting switches on instantly and does not need to be warmed up even in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider HIDs, which need several minutes to reach full intensity. LEDs also do not flicker and can be aimed with greater precision than HIDs. The result is more consistent, more even and more comfortable lighting.

Most LED canopy lighting can be dimmed when necessary, and dimmers can be tied to occupancy controls so intensity drops slightly when no one is around. The drop off is minor and as soon as someone enters the area the lights return to full intensity immediately. Occupancy controls and dimmers, though, ensure operating costs are kept to a minimum. They also extend the fixture’s life, offering more performance out of every fixture.

Canopy lighting pushes back the darkness and provides a sense of safety. It’s a must-have for businesses that remain open around the clock, so property owners should carefully consider their lighting options. LED fixtures are the superior option over HIDs, fluorescents and other technologies, and aren’t just the future of canopy lighting, but the present as well.

Fluorescent T8 tubes have been a lighting mainstay for decades, but the development of LED T8 linear lighting means there’s a high-performing alternative. Is this a case of new replacing obsolete technology, or is there room for both fluorescent and LED T8s? It depends on the application. There are still some settings where fluorescent tubes make sense, but LED T8s have several advantages over their older counterparts. Some of them include:

• Reliability – LED T8 lighting has a lifespan of about 50,000 hours. Some fluorescent T8 tubes are rated for 50,000 hours as well, but there are several fluorescent specific issues that can cut into that lifespan significantly. For one, fluorescent tubes are more likely to prematurely fail if they are switched on and off frequently. They are also adversely affected by cold temperatures and require a ballast, which will also eventually fail and require a replacement. These issues limit fluorescent lighting’s effectiveness in some applications, like those that require occupancy sensors.
  LED T8s don’t have these drawbacks and are far less likely to fail early. When comparing cost, it’s important to factor in LED’s long-term reliability.
• Lighting quality – Fluorescent T8s can output a lot of light, but the quality of that light is inferior to LEDs in a couple of ways. LED lighting emits directionally so more of the light that LEDs emit can be aimed where it is needed. This can be useful in general lighting applications because more of the light can be aimed downward. LEDs are also useful in applications where concentrating the illumination is important, like in workshops. Fluorescent T8 lighting emits omnidirectionally, and some of that light is wasted in the process.
  LED technology also surpasses fluorescent lighting in color rendering. In other words, LED will display colors more accurately. While there are some high-CRI fluorescent tubes on the market, they are among the most expensive available. Fluorescent fixtures emit light beyond the blue and violet end of the visible spectrum, so they render warm colors especially poorly. The UV light that fluorescent tubes emit is also harmful to the colors in surrounding objects and will cause them to fade with long-term exposure. LED fixtures produce close to zero UV light, by contrast.
• Controllability – LED fixtures are designed to be compatible with modern lighting controls and can be easily attached to motion sensors, photocells, timers and dimmers. This gives LED technology the versatility advantage and it also means a big efficiency boost in many settings. Fluorescent T8s cannot be dimmed as easily as LED T8s and they are a poor fit with occupancy controls.
• Environmental – Fluorescent tubes work by exciting mercury vapor and creating light through a process termed fluorescence. Mercury vapor is a critical part of the phenomenon, but it is also harmful if it is exposed to people or the environment. For this reason, fluorescent tubes are treated as hazardous waste and their disposal may be subject to regulation. LEDs do not contain harmful chemicals or materials and may be disposed of without extra effort.

The only advantage that fluorescent lighting has is its cost. Fluorescent T8 tubes have been around for a long time and are cheap, while LED T8s are new and cost more upfront. However, the superior lifespan, efficiency and versatility of LED linear tubes can make them the more cost-effective option in the long run. There is also room for improvement in LED tube lighting and it’s likely that future generations of LED linear lighting will expand the technology’s advantages.

What Applications Are The Best Fit For LED T8 Linear Tube Lighting?

While fluorescent T8s are still useful in applications that call for a high volume of general lighting, LED T8s are starting to replace them in many settings. Some of those applications include:

• Any lighting solution that requires occupancy controls – Office buildings, schools, retail shops, government buildings, industrial facilities and anywhere else high foot traffic is expected. LED’s durability and controllability are unmatched for these applications.
• Any setting where cold temperatures are expected – If the lighting is going to be exposed to lower temperatures, LED T8s will prove much more reliable. Workshops, garages, outdoor walkways and sheds are spots where LED’s cold resistance is useful.
• Any setting where the lights will be powered on and off regularly – LED tubes tolerate frequent powering on/off much better than fluorescent tubes. For this reason, LED linear lighting is a good choice for high traffic areas like residential and commercial hallways, kitchens and bathrooms.

For safety reasons, it’s also a good idea to consider LED T8s if there’s an increased likelihood of the fixtures experiencing breakage.

What are the different types of LED T8 tubes?

There are multiple LED T8 models on the market and some of them are ideal for retrofit applications. Labeled Type A, Type B and Type C, the primary difference between these models is how they work with existing fluorescent ballasts. Here’s a closer look at the three:

• Type A – Type A LED tubes are designed to draw current through the existing ballast and power an LED driver that’s integrated into the tube. Type A T8s are the easiest and least expensive to install because they can be plugged in right where the fluorescent tube was removed. However, Type A LED tubes tend to be less efficient and because they rely on an existing ballast, they cost more to maintain over time.
• Type B – Type B LED tubes are built with an internal driver that bypasses the ballast. This removes the ballast from the equation completely and optimizes the conversion from watts to lumens as a result. Type B tubes are also available in the widest array of lengths. Installation is more difficult and costly with Type B tubes, though, because the ballast and potentially the fixture sockets will need to be removed. This can pose a major safety hazard if not handled by a licensed and experienced professional.
• Type C – Type C LED tubes utilize an external driver instead of an internal one. This external driver may be remote and it also removes the ballast as a functional part of the system. Compared to other LED linear lighting types, Type C tubes require the most work to install, however, they are the most efficient and controllable of the three.

Fluorescent T8s have a long and successful history in the lighting industry, but LED T8s are catching up. In many applications they are already ahead, and as LED lighting technology improves, so will LED’s already impressive reliability, lifespan, efficiency and flexibility.

Benefits of LED lighting for industrial facilities is something that is often overlooked when in reality they have the potential to make work more productive and efficient. The lack of appropriate lighting could lead to quality control and safety issues for both workers and consumers, a situation that could be avoided with better lighting.

If you are the owner of an industrial facility and are finding yourself or your employees noticing inefficient lighting or the constant stoppage of work to replace light bulbs take a few minutes to learn about LED lighting and the benefits it can provide for your facility.

Drawbacks of an Industrial Facility Without LED Lighting

Lighting paves the way for the majority of things we do on a daily basis. It’s readily available and easy to take for granted without even realizing it. For industrial facilities proper high bay lighting is a necessity, but the question then becomes are you making your lighting really work for you? Is it helping your business to thrive?

Subpar lighting can lead to serious and potentially dangerous problems including but not limited to:

• Safety hazards
• On the job injuries
• Improper product assembly
• Compromised product lines
• Repeated failure of quality inspections

Not only could these situations put workers’ safety at risk, but it might also have the power to negatively impact a company’s bottom line. In short, subpar lighting is not an option for industrial facilities which is why many are turning to LED lighting in record numbers.

LED Lighting

Lighting is a key component of the workplace. Subpar lighting can make most kinds of tasks nearly impossible to do. What many companies do not realize is that the type of lighting they use can impact their bottom line, for better or worse.

Historically, lighting has been comprised of options such as high-pressure sodium, florescent, or metal halide lighting. While these may have been ahead of their time years ago, the mass use of LED or light emitting diode lighting is quickly making these options more obsolete. For example, many LED bulbs have the capacity to produce light up to ninety percent more effectively than most incandescent bulbs.

LED bulbs also tend to last much longer than their older counterparts. The longer lifespan of a bulb can equal less time replacing bulbs which means less lost time in a facility that would have normally had to shut down to replace these bulbs. As an added perk, LED lights seldom go out unexpectedly with a bright flash. They are instead designed to slowly dim over time, allowing companies a longer window to replace a bulb when needed.

Benefits of LED Lighting for Industrial Facilities

LED lighting is earning its place in businesses, warehouses, and industrial facilities across the nation as companies seek to improve their lighting efficiency. While it is worth noting that a company may have to pay upfront costs to have lights retrofitted for LED capabilities, this option yields savings on energy bills that will eventually pay for the installation.

When considering the advantages of using LED lighting, it can make any other type of lighting seem like an inefficient use of resources. Some of the key benefits of LED lighting for industrial facilities include:

• Encouraging alertness – Workers may become prone to be less focused during a mid-afternoon post lunch slump or in the early morning for those that work night shifts. A significant but often unmentioned benefit of LED lighting is that its direction and brightness can assist in keeping some workers more alert.
• Creating a higher level of safety – In addition to the brighter, directional power of LED lighting, there is the added benefit of offering facility workers a higher level of safety that can come with improved indoor visibility. Using LED lighting in this setting may help prevent accidents caused by poor visibility such as injuries, collisions, or misuse of special equipment.
• Improving quality control – LED lighting has the capacity to be directed to specific areas rather than uniformly blanketing larger areas. This allows the light to be directed to areas with the greatest need for focused light, such as quality check of production.
• Less switching out of light bulbs – Once the initial retrofit is performed to allow for LED lighting, these lights tend to last for longer periods of time than some less modern options. This saves companies from having to replace light bulbs as frequently which is instrumental in keeping facility production running smoothly and avoiding shutdowns for bulb replacements.
• Saving on energy bills – Since LED lights tend to last longer than their more traditional counterparts, when used in a high bay lighting setting it could reduce the amount of energy used by as much as sixty percent. This type of savings can have a welcome domino effect when used on multiple fixtures and may allow a facility to put energy bill savings toward other areas of need.

It can be easy to look at the above and think this would be helpful but not doable in terms of time or money. It may be helpful to stop and translate some of these bullet points into actual dollar amounts. For example, how much money would the company stand to save in one year if the energy bill is cut by sixty percent? How could those same savings add up over two years? The answer may have you realizing that the time and money you spend up front on this type of upgrade can more than pay for itself over time with energy savings.

The benefits of LED lighting for industrial facilities are too abundant to ignore for the company owner that seeks high levels of efficiency and productivity. Reach out to a reputable lighting provider today to learn what switching to LED lighting could mean for your facility.

Why LED Parking Garage Lighting matters for both safety and appeal:

One of the first things people notice when pulling into a parking garage is the lighting. Is there enough of it? Is it bright enough? Is it helping me figure out how the garage is laid out? These are the kind of questions people reflexively ask themselves when using a parking garage. It’s clear that lighting should be a priority.

Outdated or failing lighting systems are not capable of producing enough light for visitors to maintain adequate visibility. Poor lighting can also lead to security issues and can confuse people attempting to navigate the garage, leading to frustration.

Modern lighting systems, and LED lighting in particular, can provide a garage with excellent lighting coverage, intensity and efficiency. Compared to outdated HID lighting systems, LED technology represents a major step forward for parking garage lighting.

Why LED Lighting is the best option for parking garages:

Parking garages are expected to be available around the clock and must be as low maintenance as possible. LED lighting fits perfectly into this objective for several reasons. They include:

1. Security – The Bureau of Justice Statistics tracks, among many other things, the number of crimes that occur in parking garages. From 2004 to 2008, the bureau tallied up nearly 2.5 million crimes in U.S. parking garages. Of these, more than 15 percent were violent crimes.
   People often feel vulnerable in parking garages, and if there isn’t adequate lighting in the space, then that feeling will only be more intense. Older lighting systems are prone to outages and declining luminous intensity, and this can leave people in the dark. Anyone using the garage at night will likely take notice as well, and this may push people into finding an alternative.
   Bright and even lighting ensures there are no dark areas where someone could hide. Every part of the garage is easy to see, allowing visitors to drive and walk around with confidence.
   LED lighting is prized for its ability to produce even illumination, and this is thanks to the technology’s engineering. LED fixtures are directional by nature, which means they emit in a tighter angle than other fixtures. This allows for easier, precise aiming, and lighting experts can utilize this when diagramming and laying out LED fixtures.
2. Safety – According to the National Safety Council, there are more than 50,000 accidents in parking garages every year, resulting in around 500 deaths. Parking garages can be hazardous for drivers and pedestrians alike, especially if there is inadequate lighting in the garage. Poor lighting reduces visibility and makes it difficult to detect motion at a distance. At night, visibility may be reduced to the point where completely preventable accidents occur.
   Even illumination helps people feel more secure, it will also improve safety. LED lighting will eliminate the kind of dark spots and shadows that can affect driver visibility, ensuring drivers aren’t caught off guard by pedestrians.
3. Low maintenance – Most parking garages are effectively giant mounds of poured concrete. They are intended to be sturdy, rugged structures that only need occasional maintenance. Aging lighting systems put pressure on garage owners to constantly address maintenance issues. As fixtures enter their decline phase, they produce less and less light and may blink out for good at any time. It only gets worse with time, as some lights will need to be replaced while others may still have a bit longer to go. This can lead to maintenance call after maintenance call, costing the owner more money to maintain failing systems.
   This is a major problem with older technologies like HID lighting. These lights may only last thousands of hours before their illumination output becomes unacceptable. Most won’t make it past 10,000 hours. However, LED lights normally provide at least 50,000 hours of performance, and it’s common for LED fixtures to last much longer than that. Longer performance means fewer replacements, and that saves the owner money and time.
4. Durability – It’s rare for a parking garage to be shielded from the elements to any degree. They aren’t climate controlled, which means rain, snow, ice and intense heat are all issues that the garage’s lighting will have to contend with. Drivers are another hazard for lights that are installed closer to the ground, and one will eventually bump into an expensive fixture.
   Fortunately LED lights are particularly durable and are often used in tougher environments for this reason. They handle physical shock better than all other lighting options, so they can take the occasional bump without failing. LED fixtures are also able to withstand unconditioned environments with ease, ensuring they remain operational even during the worst conditions.
5. Controllability – Occupancy controls are a must in parking garages, as lighting is essential when people are navigating through the garage, and a waste when no one is present. Fortunately, LED lighting is designed for maximum controllability, and can be easily tied to occupancy sensors, dimmers and other control options.
   Parking garages can be confusing to many people, as they aren’t laid out like any other building. LED lighting with the proper controls can help with this, as well, as the fixtures can be set to flash, change color, or otherwise get attention. This is a simple way to help people find their way, and to do so in the safest way possible.

Parking garage lighting can greatly enhance the building’s utility as long as the right lighting solution is put in place. LED lighting is that solution for most parking garages, and will provide years of reliable, low maintenance service.

Security lighting is an essential component of public safety, and the statistics back this up. The Bureau of Justice tracks crime events in areas like parking garages and parking lots, and every year, about 10 percent of all property crimes and eight percent of all violent crimes happen in these places. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is also aware of these numbers and considers security lighting to be a primary line of defense against criminal activity.

In 1996, the department released a report in which it stated that “good lighting deters crime and produces a more secure atmosphere”. It is one of the few facility features that has been documented to reduce crime in parking facilities.”

In other words, while a lot of time has been spent researching how to make properties safer, security lighting remains one of the best layers of defense a property owner can invest in.

How does security lighting make public areas safer?

Professionally placed and installed security lighting is designed to make a property difficult for criminals to deal with. Criminals prefer concealment, especially in public or common areas like parking lots and apartment grounds. In these spots, there may be few places for a criminal to hide, and sufficient lighting reduces their options further. This often serves as a deterrent.

Deterrence, though, is only part of the security lighting equation. With added illumination comes greater visibility, and if people can see well into the distance they can assess potential threats long before they become an existing threat. People rely on this fact in well-lit areas, which is why illumination provides a sense of comfort. It’s also why well-lit properties are more attractive to drivers and pedestrians.

Finally, security lighting improves facial recognition efforts so if a crime does occur in an illuminated spot it will be easier for police to find the perpetrator. This is something that commercial and industrial properties rely on, which is why they pair security camera systems with high intensity, motion-activated lights.

Also, extra lighting is always helpful in a place where pedestrians and vehicles occupy the same space. Parking garages and lots require excellent visibility to prevent accidents, and security lighting can help in this regard. It’s a true multi-tool.

How can LED wall pack lighting improve security and safety?

There are several forms of security lighting, and LED wall packs are one of the staples. Wall pack lighting is called such because it is usually installed on the structure’s exterior walls. They are extremely versatile and can be placed almost everywhere as long as there is a wall there to hold it up. This makes wall pack lighting a common sight in parking lots and garages.

Aside from their versatility, why should public and common spaces consider LED wall pack lighting? There are several reasons including:

1. Improved coverage – Wall pack fixtures are compatible with most forms of lighting, including halogen, fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID) and LED technology. Of these, LED technology represents the best performing option.
   When talking about security lighting performance is measured in intensity and uniformity. It is critical that a security lighting system output enough illumination to deter crime and ensure that level of intensity is achieved across the entire installation. LED technology does this better than any other lighting option, as it is directional by design. Other technologies, including HID and fluorescent fixtures, emit in a radiant pattern which makes it harder to control where the light goes. LEDs, though, can be precisely aimed and metered, so it’s simple for the lighting expert to achieve optimal uniformity.
2. Better color rendering – Older HID options, like low pressure sodium vapor and high pressure sodium lights, emit a deep yellow hue of light. It’s difficult for the human eye to render color under this type of lighting cast, reducing the effectiveness of HID from a distance.
   LED technology, though, can emit a color temperature close to neutral white, ensuring superior color rendering and allowing people to perceive their surroundings as they are. This is a comfort to most people and it also makes it easier for drivers to detect nearby pedestrians faster, which is always something to consider.
3. Superior efficiency – Older wall pack fixtures that run on HID technology may require upward of 400 watts to function, and most fall in the 100 to 175 watt range. LED wall pack lights, though, provide comparable illumination intensity and better coverage while needing far less energy. It’s common to see LED wall pack lights in the 30 to 80-watt range, which can help keep energy expenditures at a reasonable level.
4. Long lasting – LED technology also lasts much longer than other lighting options. This is largely because LED fixtures do not experience a sudden decline in performance once they reach a certain age. Instead they gradually lose their intensity, and for years this drop may be imperceptible. In fact, the functional life of an LED wall pack fixture may be in excess of 50,000 hours, and the fixture needs little maintenance during this time.
   Compare this to HID technology, which has a rated life of somewhere around 20,000 hours. In many cases, a HID fixture will produce insufficient light before that mark, so it’s normal to replace an HID lamp three or four times before a single LED replacement is required.

What other types of security lighting are recommended?

Wall pack lights are an important part of any security lighting system, but they are just one part. Parking lots should also be illuminated with pole-mounted fixtures, and flood lights can also provide a high intensity spot when necessary.

Ideally, a security lighting system would also rely on modern lighting controls to improve the system’s performance. Motion-activated lights, for example, trigger when someone is nearby, which can expose criminals and alert everyone nearby to their presence. Occupancy controls like motion sensors are perfect for flood lights, as their high intensity costs more energy to run over many hours. Security lighting may also be tied to timers, which can instantly switch the system on at night and off once daylight is detected.

Security lighting is one of the most cost-effective investments a property owner can make for safety. That investment should include LED wall pack fixtures, as well as pole-mounted lights and lights tied to modern controls.

The best security lights deter would-be intruders as soon as they step onto the property. The best systems do this automatically and efficiently with LED lighting, so the business or home is always protected with bright lighting while keeping energy costs to a minimum.

Modern security lighting switches on instantly and requires little maintenance. It’s one of the least expensive methods of deterring intruders, so it’s an investment every property owner should consider.

What The Best Security Lights Look Like

Security lighting is just as much about fixture placement and configuration as it is about fixture selection. All three are critical to setting up a system that works well. Fortunately technologies like LED lighting make fixture placement and configuration easy to handle. It also provides additional controls not available in standard security options.

LED lighting is a natural fit when used for added security, which is why lighting experts recommend LED security lights. Here are some of the other benefits of LED technology in a security role:

1. LED lights are easy to aim – The primary purpose of security lighting is to illuminate as much as possible at the ground level. The fixtures must be aimed toward the ground, but that’s not always as easy as it sounds. Many older lighting options, like incandescent, radiate light in all directions. When working with these lights, reflectors are often required to bounce the illumination back toward the ground. Of course this approach is not entirely efficient so some portion of the light is lost even when reflectors are in place.
   LEDs are not burdened with this problem. In their standard form LED lights are directional which means they emit most of their light in a single direction. Installers can take advantage of this and aim the fixtures precisely where needed with little trouble. LED lighting is a brighter light source so more light reaches the ground, which means a less intense lamp can be used to light the same area effectively saving on energy consumption.
2. LED lights are compatible with most control methods – LED fixtures might be the most controllable form of lighting available. They can be attached to dimmers, timers and various occupancy controls, which means their performance can be precisely managed. The lights are only on when they need to be and off or dimmed when they aren’t needed.
   Controllability is a big deal for security lights. Keeping them on constantly will only drive up energy costs and reduce the lifespan of the bulb. Security lighting serves little purpose during the day so many business and property owners prefer lighting that only switches on when someone is near the building. Motion detecting lights are often a deterrent to a would-be intruder, startling them and causing them to run off from the well-lit area.
   Another valuable trait of LED lighting is that it reaches full intensity instantly when switched on. Older lighting technologies can’t provide the same, and this lag means it will take several seconds for the fixture to achieve maximum brightness. If the system is tied to motion or heat controls this instant-on feature is the perfect complement.
3. LED lights don’t require much maintenance – In general, LED fixtures are more durable and longer lived than other forms of lighting. They also offer better shock resistance than typical lights which means they can take the occasional bump without going out.
   Perhaps most important is the fact that LED lights last much longer than other fixture technologies. Most LED lights are rated for at least 50,000 hours of performance, though it’s normal for an LED fixture to last even longer than that. As fixtures age they tend to lose their intensity, but LED lights resist this better than other options.
   Longevity and reliability make LED lights a low maintenance investment. If the fixtures are configured with timers or motion controls they will likely last many years before any significant maintenance is required. Since LED lamps don’t have to be replaced as often it’s easier for home and business owners to keep up on which lamps need to be changed out.
4. LED lights are energy efficient – One of the principle traits of LED lighting is that it’s energy efficient in nearly any application. This is also true of the best security lights where the efficiency of LED bulbs can significantly lower energy costs over time.
   This greater efficiency should be accounted for when considering security lighting options. While it’s true that LED lights are more expensive upfront, the added cost is made up for over the fixture’s lifespan. It’s a tradeoff really but in a good way. Pay more upfront for greater savings in the long run or opt for cheaper lights that must be replaced more often.
5. LED lights come in many forms – Because LED fixtures are the result of modern engineering they come with considerable design flexibility. What this means is that there are plenty of LED form factors available to homeowners. For example, there are wall mounted LED fixtures, LED strips, pole mounted fixtures, and bollard fixtures, among others.
   With so many form factors to choose from it’s easy for home and business owners to get complete coverage with LED technology.

LED technology is both the present and future of the best security lights. Speak with a lighting professional today to discover the latest options for keeping any property safe and well-lit.

LED lighting retrofits are gathering steam, with facilities large and small considering them for an impressive array of applications. There are plenty of reasons why, most of them obvious, but some of them not. Of course it’s not enough to just screw in a bunch of LED bulbs. Transitioning from one lighting technology to another is no small task, so companies should partner with a lighting expert and designer that they trust to make the right calls.

Shedding Light on the Benefits of Retrofitting with LEDs

LED lighting has been a focus of research and development for decades and those years of study and engineering have led to breakthrough after breakthrough. In just a few decades, LED lighting has gone from a promising curiosity to an industry dominator, taking over segment after segment. No longer hampered by output quality issues, LED technology can be scaled up or down for seemingly any purpose. LED installations are in use in several professional sports stadiums, warehouses, office buildings, restaurants and more.

Eventually most commercial facilities will make the transition to LED, but when to do so is the question. Fortunately there are some telltale signs that suggest a move to LED is the right one.

1. Utility or maintenance costs are out of control – That doesn’t necessarily mean “out of control expensive,” though it can be that too. Although lighting represents a major component of a company’s energy and maintenance costs, many businesses don’t keep a close eye on it. This includes everything from mom and pop shops to towering mega corporations.

If it seems like those costs are too high, too volatile, or just inexplicable, then trading off an aging system for LED could very well be the way to go. LED lighting is extremely consistent and reliable, not to mention extremely efficient. That helps on the utility cost side of things, but because it is engineered using modern solid-state circuitry and sophisticated semiconductor technology LED systems are inherently durable. As such, each LED lamp can give years of performance before its quality begins to degrade, and that’s if the light is left on around the clock. Companies with an older lighting system spend a lot on burnouts. LED is as close as it gets to maintenance-free for five to 10 years after installation.

2. The ROI is just too good to pass up – This follows from the previous point, as LED’s ability to produce excellent ROI is due to its incredible efficiency. There are some applications where the difference in efficiency between an existing system and one powered by LED technology is so distinct that a switch to LED is an obvious smart move.

Parking lot lighting, for example, is quickly phasing out the metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps and embracing the LED revolution. Here the extremely quick ROI is due to the massive difference in efficiency between metal halides (or pressurized sodium) and LED as well as the reduced maintenance costs. It takes a lot of labor to switch out parking lot lights. The same is true of high-ceilinged industrial facilities or department stores, so LED often makes sense in those situations as well.

3. Safety is a top priority – An LED retrofit brings clear economic benefits to a business, but the safety factor cannot be overlooked. Quality LED fixtures (and quality is the key word here) can be aimed and arranged for optimal visibility usually much more easily than other forms of commercial lighting can. LED lighting also combines that strong coverage with excellent color rendering so it shows colors in their true hue.

Even bright coverage has obvious safety implications in that LEDs eliminate the shadowy areas that reduce visibility. That is clearly important when lighting a parking lot or any facility where machinery is present.

Proper color rendering is also heavily implicated for safety reasons. When a forklift driver is navigating through a warehouse, for instance, they need to be able to precisely pick out colors from a distance. Doing so ensures they do not collide with anyone or anything, and it helps them do their job better as they can read labels from further away.

4. If it’s time to brand better – LEDs perform well in many applications, and signage is one of them. When businesses decide to shift to LED technology signage is typically one of the first pressure points to target, as LEDs hold their lighting quality and brightness for a long time and can be customized to emit almost any color.

But branding goes beyond the obvious messaging. LEDs have a markedly reduced impact on the environment as they do not contain hazardous mercury or phosphors. If a business prides itself on environmental stewardship, it’s easy to sell that message by transitioning to an eco-friendly lighting option.

5. It’s time to do away with existing lighting – Eventually all lighting systems fail. But long before they fail outright they suffer from reduced output or reliability. They waste more and more energy. They start emitting more heat or require constant maintenance. Those are signs that new lighting infrastructure is necessary.

In most cases it’s best to overhaul existing lighting as soon as those signs start showing up. If some fixtures are failing then it won’t be long before others do as well, and it’s not a good idea to mix and match lighting even if that was easily possible.

And if the facility is new construction, then opt for LED from the outset. New construction or renovation is an ideal environment for retrofitting LEDs, as it takes less time and less labor, and there is no downtime attached to the process.

Retrofitting with LEDs is a viable option for many businesses, and eventually it will be a viable option for nearly every business. The march of LED technology is unstoppable, and there’s no reason why business owners shouldn’t at least consider it. This is particularly true when the building in undergoing significant construction. And as long as an experienced LED lighting expert is overseeing fixture selection and installation a new LED system can provide immediate improvements across the board.

Lighting can give a space character but choosing the right hue from the LED color spectrum can help define the ambiance and energy of a room or office. The chosen color can help set the mood for a room with warm lights to have a cozier feel and cool lights to have a more functional feel. It can be a mistake to put the same type of light in every single room of the home or workspace because not every room serves the same purpose. Make each space ideal by defining the atmosphere with the right LED light.

The Type of Light You Use Matters

When it comes to lighting a space, one of the most important elements for comfort and ambiance is the type of bulb used. There are incandescent and LED light bulbs, both of which come in a variety of sizes, and some people struggle with knowing which is better for their particular space.

An LED light has four main advantages over an average bulb:

1. Efficiency. Not only do LED bulbs last longer than incandescent, they also are estimated to work up to ninety percent more efficiently.
2. Versatility. For the most part LED lights can be used the same places as regular bulbs, and they are designed to meet a variety of different lighting needs via the LED color spectrum.
3. Longevity. LED lights have become more popular in recent years due in large part to their extended bulb life. On average LED lights can last up to 20,000 hours, with some offering life up to 50,000 hours. A traditional incandescent bulb tends to last up to only two thousand hours or so.
4. Slow burn out. Whereas an incandescent bulb can give one bright flash before burning out when you turn on a lamp, an LED bulb instead gradually grows dimmer over time.

For these reasons and more LED lights are being used in homes and businesses as art lighting, curio cabinet lighting, and under cabinet lighting to name just a few examples. They are also being used in emergency signs, parking lot lights, and security lights. Another reason these lights have gained in popularity are because of their ability to create atmosphere via the LED color spectrum for indoor and outdoor illumination.

What Is LED Color Temperature for Lighting?

Just as an outdoor temperature can measure the degrees of Fahrenheit and Celsius, LED color temperature essentially determines the color of an LED light bulb, which is measured in degrees Kelvin. More specifically it measures the presence of the colors blue, red, white, and yellow in a light and will often be described as appearing warm, cool, or neutral in color.

The LED color temperature chart can range from as low as 2700K to 7000K. The color representation looks like this:

• 2700K: red and orange glow
• 3000K: yellow and white glow
• 3500K: white glow
• 4000K: white and blue glow
• 5700K: light blue glow
• 7000K: blue glow

LED Spectrum Warm White Light

Warm lights are frequently used in environments that are meant to feel cozy and relaxing. For most people places in the home that utilize warm white lights are the bedroom, study, den, or dining room. For this type of use an individual may want to choose an LED light around the 3000K range.

LED Spectrum Neutral Light

There may be some rooms where an individual wants the light to be warm and inviting but still be able to have some brighter light as well. A good example of this could be the living room as it generally needs to have warm enough lighting to relax but still have enough brightness to read or work on a project.

These lights that combine both hints of warm and cool are sometimes referred to as neutral lights and are around 3500K.

LED Spectrum Cool White Light

Cool white lights can give a room an entirely different feel that most consider to be more energizing and lively. On the color temperature chart this type of light is usually found between 4100K and 5000K. Cool white lights are often preferred for spaces like the kitchen where light is needed to see for measuring ingredients and checking to see if food is cooked all the way through. These are also commonly used in office settings.

How to Use the LED Color Temperature Spectrum for Home Lighting

Choosing the right hue from the LED color spectrum can completely change the feel of lighting in a room.

So that there is enough light to shave and apply makeup properly most people choose to have their bathroom lights be on the cooler end of the spectrum, at just a little below or above 4000K.

Rooms that are intended for gathering often benefit from a color temperature of around 3000K or a little higher. This creates a warm and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for visiting and relaxing.

Kitchens typically need a brighter light for safe food preparation. A more appropriate color temperature for this room might be between 4000K and 5000K.

Getting Help Choosing the Right Light

Anyone struggling with choosing the proper LED light for a space should work with a lighting expert for the best option. A lighting company who intimately understands the capabilities and uses of LED lights is an advantage for home and business owners. When looking for a provider, ensure they have:

• Knowledge. A company that has years of experience working with interior designers, homeowners, and commercial building owners should be able to address a variety of LED applications.
• Product Variety. It is common for a buyer to use an LED light for the first time in a specific space and be so happy with the results that they go back to the provider for help in changing out or retrofitting the rest of their lighting. By working with an expert that has a variety of products, it enables the consumer to stay with one provider for all their lighting needs.

To learn more about the LED color spectrum and its uses in home or office lighting sit down for an illuminating consultation with a lighting expert today.

It’s not often that something comes along and transforms the lighting industry, but that’s exactly what LED technology is doing. LEDs have been around for more than a half century, but not many foresaw the impact they would eventually have on lighting. The first person to recognize that LEDs had a future in the industry was Nick Holonyak, the engineer that invented the red LED in 1962. His prediction was considered maverick at the time, but 50 years later, the technology can be found just about everywhere.

Lighting is a primary source of energy drain in the business world, so any step forward in efficiency and reliability is an important one. In this way, LED technology is poised to be the most revolutionary development in the field since the production of fluorescent lighting.

How has LED technology affected the commercial lighting industry in a positive way?

There are almost too many answers to count. The truth is, most lighting technology is unsophisticated. Incandescent produces light by running an electrical current through a filament, which causes it to glow as it heats up. Fluorescent technology works by sending an electrical current through a gas mixture, exciting it and causing it to produce fluorescence, with the help of a phosphor coating. Most other fixtures are variations on these themes, like halogen and sodium vapor lamps.

LEDs are entirely different. Exciting gas or heating a filament wastes a great deal of energy, as neither are efficient processes. LEDs, though, operate using modern semiconductor technology. Semiconductors function at the atomic level, exchanging electrons and harvesting the energy that is released as a result. It’s easy to see how this process offers superior controllability and efficiency. And most of the issues that once held LEDs back have either been solved or are well on their way.

But how has an emerging focus on LEDs helped out business owners? This is how the technology has made a difference:

1. Efficiency – As already noted, LED lighting is designed for maximum efficiency, and there is no other fixture on the market that can match it in this regard. For years, the dominant form of interior commercial lighting has been T8 fluorescent tubes. T8 tubes are prized for their improvement over previous forms of fluorescent fixtures, mostly in terms of energy savings and size reduction.
   So if LEDs are to truly ride the next wave of commercial lighting, they have to beat T8 fluorescent tubes. And they do just that. Replacement T8 LEDs require about 30 percent less wattage to emit the same level of illumination, resulting in immediate cost savings. The upfront cost of an LED bulb may be higher, but the gulf in efficiency more than makes up for it.
2. Directional lighting – It’s not just about how much wattage needs to be input into the fixture. It’s also about how much light actually reaches its intended target.
   This is a noted problem for fluorescent technology, as it emits in a 360 degree pattern. Great for lighting up the ceiling – not so great for lighting up the stuff that matters. In fact, a T8 fluorescent tube only sends about 30 percent of its emitted light toward ground level.
   LED fixtures do not suffer from this issue, as they are built to be directional in nature. This means that they can be aimed without the need for reflectors, which add to installation cost and fixture weight. Where a T8 fluorescent emits in a 360 degree pattern, an LED replacement tube confines its emitted light to a 110 degree angle, greatly reducing waste as a result.
3. Controllability – It’s standard operating procedure for property owner to tie controls to their lighting systems. Occupancy controls and dimmers are two primary examples, and it’s rare to see a large commercial property install a lighting system without them. The case for occupancy controls and dimmers is obvious, as it reduces waste and keeps the light at a comfortable, effective level.
   But T8 fluorescent tubes are not easy to control. They can be dimmed, but it is expensive to add on the necessary controls and they only function reasonably well. Occupancy controls are even tougher to tie to T8 tubes because they force the light to switch on and off frequently. This rapid on/off switching is something that wears fluorescent fixtures out, cutting their lifespan short.
   LEDs are built on solid-state circuitry, so they are much easier to control and meter, which makes them an ideal partner to dimmers. And LEDs are unaffected by on/off switching, so property owners can opt for some aggressive occupancy controls without fear.
4. Longevity – If cost reduction is the goal, then the fixture’s longevity also has to be baked into the equation. And no surprise, LED is the optimal fixture in this category as well. T8 fluorescents have long been considered the gold standard for longevity’s sake, providing 30,000 hours of light on average. For the sake of comparison, incandescent bulbs average about 1,200 hours, halogens close to 2,500 hours, metal halides around 20,000 hours and high-pressure sodium lamps about 24,000 hours.
   LEDs, though, blow these numbers out of the water, averaging 50,000 hours minimum. It’s not unusual for an LED light to function for 100,000 hours before requiring replacement. This added lifespan is clearly a bonus when considering maintenance costs, as an LED system may go years without needing attention.
   Another advantage of LEDs is that, unlike every other lighting technology, they decline in lighting quality very slowly. Among commercial lighting experts, it’s well known that most fixtures won’t get close to their listed lifespan because they begin failing well before they are supposed to burn out. This difference might accelerate replacement schedules by up to six months or more. However, LEDs are designed to buffer against this frustrating phenomenon and reliably produce the amount of light that they are supposed to.
5. Safety – Until now, the focus has been on economy, but LEDs are the safest lighting option available. T8 fluorescents are made with mercury, which is a major environmental hazard. LED fixtures are not.
   Other lighting technologies emit heat as a part of the process, and this represents a burn and fire hazard. LED fixtures, because they are so efficient, emit close to zero radiant heat.
   Other lighting technologies cannot tolerate impact forces, typically shattering when exposed to them and creating a laceration hazard. LEDs can be outfitted with shatterproof glass without affecting lighting quality, so accidental drops don’t produce any health risks.
   With LEDs, property owners can feel good about saving money, preserving the environment and protecting their employees.

There is no doubt that LEDs are the future of commercial lighting. Every day, more and more business owners make the switch to LED technology. With its impressive resumé, there is no better alternative.