Get Clean Energy in Your Lighting With LEDs

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes as they’re called on your invoice, are small, energy-efficient lights that have been subtly changing illumination. Tougher, longer-lasting, and less expensive than traditional bulbs and lighting assemblies, LED lights are a definite part of a clean energy lighting solution.

Use Less, Get More

One of the main reasons that LED lights are being used as part of a green energy approach is their efficiency. They only use 2-17 watts of power according to this source, which means they use 1/3 to 1/30th the amount of power that other lighting displays need. LED lights create no excess heat, and the light they generate is bright and focused. Not only that but LED lights can last up to ten times as long as compact fluorescent lights do, and significantly longer than traditional incandescent lights. There’s no filament in an LED bulb either, which means they survive bouncing, sudden moves, and other situations that would completely break incandescent bulbs.

LEDs Are Recyclable Too

In addition to all of their other benefits LED bulbs can be recycled. Up to 95 percent of an LED is recyclable according to this source, and they contain almost no harmful materials. All you have to do is replace the old bulb with a new one, and then hand it over to be remade into something else. It really is that simple.

Will LEDs Make Clean Energy More Attainable?

Because LEDs use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs (both of which are good for the environment and for the energy grid) they make it more feasible for renewable energy to fulfill a business’s lighting needs. Whether it’s solar panels on the roof or a wind mill in the parking lot the less power your lights require to shine brightly the easier it will be to generate that power locally rather than buying it from the power company.

More Businesses Are Going Green With Efficient Lighting Systems

Energy costs are a constant concern when it comes to a business’s overhead. You need to run the freezers, keep your heating going during the winter, and perhaps most noticeably keep your lights on. While there will always be a certain cost lots of businesses are cutting their costs and going green at the same time be re-evaluating their lighting systems.

A Brighter Future

While metal halide bulbs have bee the standard for years that standard is falling by the wayside thanks to new technologies. Light emitting diodes, typically abbreviated to LEDs, are becoming one of the most popular retrofits for businesses according to this source. Warehouses in particular have been embracing these longer-lasting, environmentally friendly lights because in the long run they’re just cheaper to use.

How much cheaper are they? A 300-watt high bay LED provides the equivalent of a 1000-watt metal halide high bay in terms of light. That 700 watts of difference can have a big impact on a business’s light bill as well as on the strain it would otherwise put on the local power grid. If you take a full-size warehouse or large-scale store then that 700 watts of savings per high bay can translate to a lot less power used, and a lot less money spent on overhead.

It’s Never Too Late To Go Green

Just because a business already has a lighting system installed doesn’t mean it’s too late to cut costs and save energy. Green lighting retrofits are becoming more and more common, particularly when the up-front costs of the retrofit are compared to the long-term costs of using inefficient lighting.

Benefits of Replacing the Interior Lighting in Your Coffee Shop

As an owner of a coffee shop, it’s important that you’re always looking into new ways to keep your small business energy-efficient and inviting for customers. If it’s been years since you’ve changed the interior lighting, you may find that you’re paying much more than you need to be on energy costs. Since the costs of replacing the lighting in your entire coffee shop can be high if you haven’t been planning to do a replacement for a long time, it’s a good idea to look into all the benefits that you can enjoy.

Plenty of Options in Styles

Exchanging the lighting in your coffee shop business can be the perfect excuse to make some other remodeling changes in the space. From hanging lights to wall mounted lighting, you’ll want to look into what styles stand out the most to you.

Reduced Energy Costs

The biggest benefit business owners find when replacing the lighting is the energy savings. Older lighting, even by a few hours, can be more costly to power than you may be comfortable with. By changing out the lights, you could be lowering your energy bill and even be eligible for tax savings from the government.

Adjust the Lighting

Coffee shops are unique in that dim lighting is often better than stark, white lights. By changing out the lighting in your coffee shop, you can pick out lights that look great and produce just enough light for the space to be inviting.

Utilize Simple Changes to Save Money on Self-Storage Lighting

When it comes to self-storage expenses, lighting is usually a large portion of them, but it really depends on the lighting setup you have for your business. Fortunately, it is possible to turn this major expense into a minor one by making the correct changes to your self-storage lighting situation.

A few simple tips will give you more than enough knowledge to make a huge difference in costs.

Install Dimmers Inside

Depending on the day, you may need some light in your office because the natural sunlight is not enough to light effectively, but this does not mean you should have to use the maximum amount of light you can get from your lights. An easy fix is installing dimmers, which allow you to adjust how much lighting is produced. Being able to adjust the lighting to your specific needs will help you better control lighting costs.

Get Motion Sensor Lighting

Instead of having night lights on at all times, you can get motion sensor lighting to give you, your employees, and your customers the light they need to traverse through your facility safely. It is a very energy-efficient way to use lighting as it is only used when there are people around.

Use Globe Fixtures for Outdoors

In order to maximize the light you get on facility grounds, you should look into globe fixtures, as this will produce reliable area-of-effect lighting. It is an addition that will prevent you from needing so many lights, which is another great way to save money, but while also providing enough light to those in need.

While these methods will definitely help you save money, there are even more ways to reduce costs.

New University Lighting Is Sprucing Up The Super Bowl

Would you like a better view of the fingertip catches at the Super Bowl? You’re in luck. Super Bowl XLIX will be illuminated like no previous NFL championship game. On February 1st, the Patriots and the Seahawks will vie for the Vince Lombardi Trophy under a new LED lighting system that was installed in September.

ESPN and Fox are enthusiastic about the new lights because they will enhance television coverage. The new lighting system was tested on this season’s matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at the University Of Phoenix Stadium, and got a high-5 from everyone involved.

Public television viewing and the replay system used by officials are more vivid and precise for both real-time viewing and slow-motion replay. Attention to detail and visibility have become critical issues in the NFL. Several recent games involving the Dallas Cowboys were decided by calls referees made after video reviews.

Stadium managers are happy because installing LED lights has cut down the number of lighting fixtures by more than half and cut the amount of electrical power needed by more than 900,000 watts. That’s enough to power 750 houses. Following the lead in Glendale, stadium managers are getting ready to re-illuminate stadiums all over the country.

All in all, officials expect to cut down their electrical bills by 65%. With so much less power needed, we are less likely to undergo another power outage like the 34-minute blackout that happened right after halftime at Super Bowl LXVII in New Orleans. With so much less power needed, officials easily constructed a backup power system.

Another perk is the LED lights are safer. Unlike the old metal halide lights, they do not generate heat. When the old lights were in place a worker on the catwalk had to stand way back from the lights, which felt like a wooden stove burning.

Improve Hospital Lighting & The Comfort Level Of Your Healthcare Facility

As technology continues to expand in the best ways, it can be difficult for a healthcare system to choose the best option. When it comes to the trends in hospital lighting, healthcare facility managers are looking for ways to lower the energy consumption, provide patients with a facility that will comfort them and allow them to feel safe, and provide a comfortable working environment for the hospital staff.

It can be a tough job to take on, but the managers of the hospital have to be savvy about what technology and resources they will use for the hospital. However, like many schools, hospitals do not always have the necessary funds in order to continuously spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for the electricity bills.

There are several reasons why a hospital would want to invest in lighting that is a cost saver and an energy-efficient solution. When a hospital has energy-efficient lighting devices, it will benefit in the following ways, plus more:

  • Improvement in the work efficiency and productivity
  • Improvement in the overall safety
  • Better comfort level for patients ad hospital staff members
  • Savings in the air conditioning costs
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Reduction in downtime that can be very costly
  • Increase the cash flow and the number of patients that come into your hospital
  • Tax deductions

Typically, a hospital can be over-lit and very bright in all places. There is a high importance in providing the right amount of light in the right areas. Certain areas and corridors in hospitals require a certain type of lighting that can be different from other areas.

There is a big case for hospitals to focus on having lighting that is energy-efficient, safe, and healthy. A hospital should be a comfortable environment for the patients, the employees, staff, and visitors. Hospitals would like a lighting system that does not require much from them. You do not want your maintenance team walking up and down the halls and into patients’ rooms changing light bulbs.

If your patients, employees, and visitors are top priorities for your hospital, you will want to invest in a system that will make your facility more comfortable and welcoming.

How Your Grocery Store Lighting Can Benefit by Switching to LED

Managing a grocery store is a lot of work, so it makes sense to reduce required upkeep, thus allowing you to focus on your most important responsibilities. Also, when you make a crucial decision for your grocery store, you have to make sure it is one that is beneficial immediately and in the long run.

Switching to LED lighting for grocery store lighting is a great move to make for several reasons.

Greater Consistency

When a light goes out, an employee needs to stop what they are doing to get a replacement. Doing this takes time and that means time away from customers and their other duties, along with potentially giving off the wrong impression to a customer when you have unlit areas in the grocery store.

A wise addition to your grocery store is LED lighting because these lights last a lot longer compared to its alternatives, which means less replacing lights and more focusing on customer satisfaction.

Reduced Expenses

Compared to other light bulbs, LED light bulbs consume less energy. So, in addition to not having to worry about changing these light bulbs as often, you also get to benefit from reduced expenses.

Better Appearance

It is important to know that an LED light bulb will produce light that looks as good as it did on day one as the day before it goes out, which means there is no need to be concerned about color problems.

Some lights need time to warm up before providing sufficient lighting, but this is not the case with LED lighting, so you will find that the pros for LED lighting far outweigh any negatives.

Warehouse & Distribution Center Lighting Retrofit with LEDs Offers a Worthwhile ROI

Declining LED light prices are generating more warehouse & distribution center lighting retrofits.  Energy use in commercial facilities continues to rise, growing 69% from 1980 to 2009.  In fact, the Energy Information Administration projects another 22% rise from 2009 to 2035.  Commercial facility systems consume half of the total electric demand of lighting.  Since 20% of global electricity powers lighting, upgrading to a less energy intensive system will result in significant savings and an attractive return on investment.

When considering a retrofit with LED lighting, especially a lighting system that has integrated controls, companies should assess the effect that lighting has on performance.

For example, how does lighting impact operating efficiency?  A retrofit with an LED lighting system can build in fault detection and reduce business risk; increase life cycle and decrease maintenance.  Occupancy sensors incorporated into the LED system to control whether the lights are on or off would eliminate wasted energy. The system could send alerts to trigger proactive maintenance scheduling.

How does the lighting affect the comfort and performance of the space occupants?  Employees in cubicles express satisfaction when they determine light quality.  Eliminating annoying light quality that is too bright, too dark or produces glare will influence work performance in a positive way.  A California Utility District that converted to personal remote dimmers discovered that light requirements ranged from 6 foot candles up to 33 foot candles.  After the LED and smart building control upgrade, employees control about half of the facility’s lighting.  The annual savings of the upgrade project is 94%, according to officials.

Lighting also impacts the safety of occupants.  Tasks performed at manufacturing sites require specific types of lighting.  Inappropriate lighting for a task that calls for precision can jeopardize the safety of the employee.  Inside building areas, such as hallways and outside parking areas require lighting to maintain security of occupants.  An LED system that monitors for occupancy and adjusts lighting accordingly will provide both safety and cost savings.

Whether to comply with a government mandate or to act sustainably, companies can lower their CO2 emissions when they trim their energy consumption with LED lighting.

Last September, the DOE issued a determination that Standard 90.1-2013 would achieve higher energy efficiency in buildings complying with code. The DOE estimated that there will be an 8.5% source energy and 7.6% site energy savings in commercial buildings nationally.  States must certify that they have updated their commercial building codes to equal or surpass the updated 90.1 code.

High wattage lighting in high-bay industrial facilities, warehouses, distribution centers and big-box retail stores are driving the growth in LED lighting systems.  When there is potential to substantially reduce lighting costs with an LED conversion, the return on investment justifies the financial outlay.

Improve Your Cold Storage Lighting, And See A Production In Your Employees’ Productivity

If you are in a business that has a cold storage facility, you already know the costs that come with running that facility can be very significant. The lighting costs are part of the overhead costs, and your lights are significant heat source. There are several types of light that do not work well in the cold temperatures. For instance, a fluorescent light will eventually wear down over a significant period of time. When your source of light breaks down, you will find yourself spending a great deal of money on repairs and maintenance.

You can have high quality lighting that will illuminate everything in the facility when you choose an alternative cold storage lighting method. With higher quality lighting, you can meet the standards and guidelines, meet the energy codes that have been set, and avoid paying tons of money for maintenance. When you install LED lighting, you will see that these lights have a high quality and high superiors ability to render the best lighting for your facility.

Upgrading your old lighting can help you enjoy the following benefits:

  • Reduce the costs it takes to operate your facility.
  • Positively impact how efficient and productive your employees are. When your facility has the right kind of lighting, it allows your employees to perform better at their daily tasks.
  • Lower the costs it takes to maintain your facility. You will not have to constantly replace or repair your lighting. You will also see a reduction in downtime because you will not have to sit around and wait for repairs.

In a cold storage facility, it is important that your lighting fixtures do not create too much heat in the environment. Some lighting fixtures release too much heat into the facility, and this results in increased cooling costs. LED lighting fixtures are a productive and wonderful solution for your cold storage facility because they will not produce a great deal of heat, they will use a low amount of energy, and they will give you several good years of usage

Start The New Year Off Right By Improving Your University Lighting

One of the biggest concerns on college campuses is the safety of the students and faculty, especially during the night. So many students have night classes or late sessions at the library, so there will typically be several students walking back and forth during the night.

Most college campuses do not have the adequate amount of lighting to make it comfortable for students to walk across campus at night. This makes students and teachers an easy target for criminals who lurk around campuses at night.

Lately, more universities are rethinking their university lighting strategy. More campuses are making the switch to LED lighting. The switch to LED lighting means saving on utility and maintenance costs, but the change will also improve the safety of everyone who walks around campus during the late night hours.

When you add LED lighting on your campus, you will immediately see a remarkable difference in the way your campus looks at night. Students will walk across comfortably, knowing that there is enough lighting to help them feel safe as they walk to class or to their vehicles.

There are not many safety measures that can do multiple things, such as improve safety, lower maintenance costs, and lower the expenses that are spent every year. Making the change to LED lighting will protect everyone on campus, not just the students. It will also put more money into the university’s funds because you will no longer spend a large sum of money on repairing the lamps and light bulbs that you previously used.

So, to start the new year on a higher note, your university should change your light fixtures.