Different facilities use different lighting systems, and sometimes even different parts of the same building are lit with different bulbs. But LEDs are the best choice for your cold storage sites, regardless of the surrounding infrastructure.

What are the advantages of using LED lighting in cold storage?

• The lighting generates minimal heat. Refrigeration and cooling costs make up a large portion of energy costs in any facility that has to maintain cold storage. Lighting choices like fluorescent bulbs and older light systems generate excessive heat. Not only will this force your refrigeration units to work harder to maintain the required cool temperature, but goods stored near the light bulbs run the risk of being heated above their safe storage temperature, which in turn either forces you to compromise storage standards or leave valuable space empty. LEDs, on the other hand, generate very little heat and can be installed for lighting that doesn’t risk stored products.
• LEDs require little hands-on maintenance for years. LEDs are meant to last far longer than light bulbs and other traditional lights. In even general storage settings, this saves your facility money in maintenance and replacements. But this is even more critical in cold storage since specialized LEDs are built to withstand harsh environments and low temperatures. LEDs are also increasingly being controlled and monitored remotely, which means you don’t have to hire a cold storage lighting specialist in the event of a malfunction.
• LEDs are brighter than other lights. OSHA maintains minimum lighting standards for a variety of different environments, and you need to be sure your facilities are maintaining those minimums. Because LEDs stay bright throughout their lifespan instead of dimming drastically, and are already brighter than other lights, you can rest assured the regulations are being followed. The additional brightness also helps employees move efficiently and safely above what regulations require.

More and more facilities are turning to LEDs, and it’s because LEDs have more to offer by almost every metric for commercial buildings and industrial facilities.