Brighten Your Business with LED Lighting
5 Benefits of LED Lighting for Businesses
Most business owners are concerned with two things: reducing costs and improving efficiency, both of which improve the bottom line. A simple way to attain both of these goals is by making the switch to LED lighting. LEDs offer a variety of benefits over traditional business lighting, making them the perfect way to upgrade and improve your property.
Read on to learn more about LED lighting and its top five benefits for your business. When you’re ready to explore your LED options, call Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric for your free consultation.
What Are LED Lights?
LED is short for “light emitting diode,” and these types of bulbs work by using small electronic chips that emit light when an electric current passes through them. Unlike traditional lighting options, such as incandescent bulbs that rely on burning filaments or fluorescent tubes that burn gases to produce light, LEDs are a solid-state technology.
This means that they don't have a glass enclosure or filament, and they don't contain any gases, toxins, or mercury like fluorescent bulbs. LEDs produce light efficiently through the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material. They emit light at a precise wavelength to create a bright, focused beam in different color options.
Incandescent bulbs are generally inefficient. They only convert about 10% of energy into light, while LEDs convert over 60%. LEDs are also tough, long-lasting, able to operate in cold temperatures, and can withstand frequent switching on/off without impacting their lifespans.
LEDs produce light with no warm-up time required, and they stay cool to the touch, unlike more traditional types of lighting. LEDs work well with lighting controls: dimmers, motion sensors, timers, and smart lighting systems. LEDs are known for being the most sustainable and energy-efficient bulbs on the market, making them an eco-friendly choice for any business looking to make more environmentally conscious choices.
5 Benefits of LED Lighting for Businesses
While you’ll experience countless perks to installing LED lights in your business, here are the top five benefits:
Lower Energy Usage and Costs
LEDs consume at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 40% less than fluorescent tubes. The result? Significantly reduced utility costs, especially in places where the lights are on for extended periods or time.
LEDs also release little heat compared to other bulbs, meaning your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep things cool and comfortable. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that switching to LEDs for commercial and industrial applications saved businesses $14.7 billion in energy costs in 2019 alone. Those savings will increase as time moves forward.
Less Maintenance Required
LED bulbs last significantly longer than traditional bulbs and have an average rated lifespan of 15-30 times longer than incandescent light. That means fewer bulb replacements and less maintenance to keep your offices and hallways adequately illuminated.
The long-lasting nature of LEDs also reduces the chance of interruptions or outages in critical work areas. Their solid-state technology contains no glass parts or filaments, making them highly resistant to breakage or damage.
Improved Light Quality
LEDs shine a clear, crisp light that is easy on the eyes. They emit light at a precise wavelength for the bulb color you choose and are available in bright white and warm and cool color temperatures to suit your needs. Their instant-on feature also eliminates the flickering or buzzing of fluorescent lights. The improved light quality from LEDs can positively impact employees' comfort, productivity, and safety.
Simplified Controls
LED lighting makes it easy to automate, dim, brighten, and color-tune your lights. LEDs work well with motion sensors, timers, dimmers, and advanced lighting control systems. They offer greater flexibility and customization for a variety of environments.
You can also find LEDs with dynamic color controls that allow you to adjust the color temperature of your lights to suit tasks or times of the day. These are also perfect for decorating the space for events or holidays.
Long Operational Life
LED bulbs and fixtures operate well past their initial installation, and they can last up to 200,000 hours, which is nearly 23 years if running 12 hours a day. That means not having to replace light assemblies or undergo significant renovations to update your lighting for decades. LEDs' durable and long-lasting nature leads to sustainability and reliability for your business lighting.
How to Choose LED Lighting for Your Business
When selecting LED lighting for your business, consider these factors:
Lumens: Lumens measure the amount of light emitted by a bulb. Compare the lumens of LEDs to the wattage of your current bulbs to choose equivalents that will provide similar brightness. As a rule of thumb, higher lumens mean more light. For most commercial spaces, 4000-7000 lumen bulbs provide ample illumination.
Color Temperature: The color temperature refers to the hue of the light. Warmer temperatures around 3000K will have a yellowish tint, while cooler temperatures of 4000K or higher will have a whiter, bluer tint. Choosing a color temperature depends on the purpose of the lighting and task needs. Warmer temperatures suit standard office lighting, while cooler temperatures may be more appropriate for higher detail work.
Energy Use: Compare the actual wattage of the LEDs to determine how energy efficient they are. Lower wattage means lower energy use and cost. As technology improves, the wattage required to produce the same amount of light continues to decrease. Look for the lowest-wattage bulbs that still meet your brightness and quality needs.
With so many options available, LEDs can be tailored to meet the needs of any business environment. For help navigating your choices, consult your local electrical contractor.
Make the Switch to LEDs with Watson's Charging Stations & Electric
LED lighting provides so many benefits for commercial spaces that it makes sense for businesses to convert from traditional lighting technology. At Watson's Charging Stations & Electric, we supply and install high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for homes and businesses throughout Gilroy, CA, and the Santa Clara Valley. Contact us today to upgrade your lighting, improve your bottom line, and move your company into a more sustainable future with LEDs.