The secret behind every successful business depends on how well it manages its resources to attain maximum productivity and efficiency. Controlling utility costs is often the biggest challenge in both industrial and commercial settings. Some businesses overcome this problem by installing multiple wind and solar panels. However, it isn’t feasible for all because it requires a lot of space and high initial costs.
A much more affordable idea is to choose the best lighting options. Because the power wastage caused by poor lighting systems is one of the main culprits behind higher utility costs. Moreover, your lighting choice also affects the ambience of your workplace and the productivity of your employees. A report suggests that proper lighting can reduce your energy costs by up to 80% and enhance your workplace productivity by about 40%. (How Lighting Affects Workplace Productivity, n.d.)
Today, LED lighting retrofits are among the top lighting trends in commercial businesses because of the range of benefits they offer. If you’re also interested in retrofitting your current facility with LED lighting, get the services of a trained electrician from SparkWise Electric. In this article, we’ll be discussing the “Top 7 benefits of LED lighting systems retrofits for businesses.”
BENEFITS OF LED LIGHTING SYSTEMS RETROFITS FOR BUSINESSES
The following benefits make LED lighting systems retrofits popular among businesses.
- Better Energy Efficiency
The first thing that comes to our minds when we hear about LED lighting is its top-notch energy efficiency. LED lights produce more lumens per watt compared to incandescent bulbs, i.e., 75 – 110 lumens per watt (compared to 12 – 18 lumens/watt in incandescent bulbs), making them 7 times more efficient than their incandescent counterparts. (VOLT Lighting, 2022) This means that most of the energy you invest to illuminate LEDs is converted into light (95%) and only a small fraction is wasted as heat (5%). (SEPCO, 2013)
By replacing all traditional lights in your office or any other facility with LED lights, you can raise your energy savings by up to 90%. Furthermore, decreased energy consumption means reduced demand from power plants which in turn benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Enhanced Lighting Quality
LED lighting is brighter and glare-free which enhances the overall impression and vibe of your facility. LED lights are available in a multitude of colors, shapes and degrees of warmness (warm white, cool white and daylight). By clever use of several different LED lights, you can attract more customers and boost your sales. In addition, better-quality LED lighting reduces eye strain, mental fatigue and stress among workers; conditions which are often triggered in dim light. Furthermore, LEDs reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, resulting in a safe working environment as well as they enhance employees’ focus and wellness which helps with better productivity and efficiency.
- Longer Lifespan
Even when it comes to lifespan, LEDs stand out among other light sources since they can last for 4 to 40 times longer compared to traditional lighting solutions. The lifespan of new LEDs is 50,000 to 100,000 hours or even more. This means LED lights can be used for 6 to 12 years, eliminating the need for ongoing maintenance or replacement. This further adds to their cost-effectiveness. Particularly, the hard-to-reach areas of your facility often require expensive equipment for changing damaged bulbs. By choosing LED lights for these areas, you can save some extra bucks to invest in other relatively useful areas of your business. The best thing is that, unlike regular bulbs, LEDs don’t burn out immediately after running out of power, they rather dim gradually over time, indicating the need to replace them.
- Reduced Cooling Costs
An efficiently-working HVAC system really matters when it comes to the success of a business as it affects both the customer experience and the employee’s productivity. But as you know, a high outdoor temperature puts an extra load on the compressor of your cooling system. The compressor then has to work harder to maintain its performance which causes it to consume more power during summer. LED lights stay cool while working as they don’t produce much heat. This reduces the load on your air conditioning system during hot days, ultimately lowering the overall cooling costs.
In addition, the performance of conventional lights drops in cold temperatures and their brightness fades. Whereas, LED lights work perfectly well even in a colder environment since they depend on the electronic driver instead of a combustible source. This makes them a smart choice for cold storage areas and freezers.
- They are Environment-Friendly
Two main reasons make LEDs the most eco-friendly lighting solution:
- They produce the least possible carbon footprint
- They don’t use mercury or other harmful chemicals at all.
The fact that most of the energy they utilize is converted to usable lighting causes them to produce less heat, resulting in an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases emission. Also, unlike traditional lighting systems, lED lights do not attract insects and bugs towards them making them a perfect choice for outdoors.
- Multiple Design Options
LED lights offer an extensive range of design options. From spotlights to track lights, from footlights to tube lights, LEDs are available in plenty of shapes and sizes to illuminate every nook and corner of your facility. Their compact size makes it possible to install LED retrofits even in the most congested locations and since they use only a small surface area, they are best for conserving space in commercial settings. Recessed, accent and task LED lights are gaining popularity in commercial settings these days. Also, LED lights are available in different colors and temperature ranges, so you can use them in combination as well.
- Qualifies for Tax Incentives and Rebates
It is well-known that global warming has become a serious issue and various global organizations as well as local governments are making efforts to protect the environment. One of these initiatives includes the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which offers loan guarantees and tax deductions to businesses that switch to energy-efficient lighting. This means you can save up to 60 cents per square foot. You can even get bonus depreciation for your business if your lighting system is older than 20 years or less. If your facility hasn’t yet been retrofitted with LED lighting, it is now high time to get this task done with the help of an electrician from SparkWise Electric and you’ll then qualify for incentives and rebates which will immensely benefit your business.
Conclusion
Managing a business requires multiple skills including leadership, problem-solving, negotiation, networking, customer service and most importantly “financial management”. Being a business owner, it often becomes a challenge to get the maximum profit with minimum investment. Scheduled maintenance makes up a huge portion of the business expenses. By opting for LED lighting systems retrofits, you can actually cut off the money spent on electric bills and routine maintenance and replacement of the traditional lights. This will not just benefit your business but also your employees, customers as well as your environment.
Ready to upgrade your commercial property? SparkWise Electric installs LED lighting retrofits for offices, warehouses, retail spaces, and multi-tenant properties throughout Northern Virginia. Learn more about our Commercial Lighting Retrofit services →