LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) used in commercial LED lighting are an efficient and long-lasting form of solid-state lighting (SSL). As alternatives of incandescent and fluorescent lights which have filaments that contain gases, LEDs are tiny chips placed on heat-conducting material. Many major businesses particularly in retail have seen the reward from investing in LED lighting and we are also now seeing an increase in schools, universities and sporting facilities making the switch. Whilst this is the case, actually every business can enjoy massive rewards from switching to LED lighting it’s just a little know secret and the word needs to get out.
So exactly how can your business benefit from LED lighting?
Commercial LED lighting – a better quality of lighting
LEDs have a better colour consistency and therefore perceived brightness. The quality of light versus traditional alternatives is undeniable. They produce a higher level of uniformity in illumination and shadows and colour abnormalities are therefore eliminated. Because LED lighting does not produce any harmful UV rays, they will also not cause any fading to surrounding stock and equipment within your business.
An improved quality of lighting will no doubt bring many advantages to your business including minimising errors, an enhanced safety, improved morale, and an enhanced look for any office, showroom, or consumer-focussed property. LED lighting can also be used to create uniformity of image if spread across the entire site, facilitating attractive lighting levels across a large area.
LEDs have a comparatively long life
High-powered white LED can last up to 50,000 hours, compared to up to 2,000 hours for an incandescent bulb and up to 10,000 hours for a compact fluorescent and up to 30,000 hours for a linear fluorescent bulb. 50,000 hours equates to 15 years with almost 10 hours of use every day which is phenomenal! Conventional bulbs will also go out when the filament breaks, whereas a LEDs brightness fades and lifetime is therefore measured up to when brightness falls to 70% – meaning there is still life left in it at this point.
LEDs are small and efficient
Most LEDs measure between 3 and 8mm long, so they can be used singularly to fit into spaces where alternatives cannot be placed. Alternatively, they can also be used as part of an array for larger areas. Because LEDs only give off light in a specific direction they are also more efficient when compared to normal bulbs which emit light in all directions, wasting energy. Due to their tightly controlled optical distribution, almost 90% of the light can be directed exactly where it is required which can be important in some applications. As a minimum LED lighting uses up to 80% less energy than conventional lighting.
LED lighting will help you reduce your carbon footprint
All businesses these days are focussed on energy management and being environmentally friendly, adopting commercial LED lighting is the ideal way to do this. LEDs require less electricity, emit fewer greenhouse gases, don’t contain any dangerous mercury, and their components are 100% recyclable. They have the potential to reduce energy consumption by between 70% and 90%. An LED luminaire can also network with control devices and other fixtures to enable centralised control and information feedback for maximum energy savings to ensure they are dimmed, switched off or brightened at different times of day.
Retrofitting LED lighting is easy
Whilst new-build commercial properties tend to be built with LED lighting as standard, the technology is comparatively easy to retrofit against other green technologies.
LED lighting emits lower temperatures
LEDs remain cool compared to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs which waste most of their energy in the form of heat. Lower temperatures can improve safety by reducing fire hazards as well as reducing the need for expensive cooling systems within the building
Commercial LED lighting requires minimal maintenance
LEDs are made from sturdy components making them incredibly durable. They contain no glass components and are therefore less vulnerable to vibration or breakage. They are also shock resistant, so LED lighting is therefore suitable for outdoor lighting solutions where harsh weather conditions do not cause a problem.
LED lighting provides health, morale, and mood benefits
An LED light source can assist in providing the optimum amount of light and preferential wavelengths for people throughout the day, positively affecting mood and morale. As LED’s are electronic devices, and also have electronic circuitry built into their drivers, there are multiple options of dimming, utilising sensors, adopting preferred settings for different people, and colour changing, which can be integrated into the luminaires to add mood effects to offices, retail showrooms and even hotels.
LED lighting will without doubt save your business money
Due to the long lifespan and minimal maintenance, LEDs will save you money. Whilst the upfront cost of fitting LED lighting is higher, it will pay for itself within 2 years and the ROI is up to 15 times the cost of purchase. The money saved in annual utility cost is outstanding with many businesses reducing their lighting bills by up to 90%. In the warehousing sector they use about 46 per cent of their energy on lighting due to their 24/7 approach, so there’s a fantastic opportunity there to deliver a lot of savings very quickly.
Alongside the energy savings, investment in LED lighting will also qualify your business for tax breaks under the enhanced capital allowance systems, which means the upfront cost can be offset against tax. The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme is a key part of the Government’s programme to manage climate change, and is designed to encourage businesses to invest in energy-saving equipment.
But don’t worry, you can establish funding to cover the cost of investment in commercial LED lighting
Energy efficient financing and is also available to pay for your investment in LED lighting with no upfront payments, so the shift to LED lighting pays for itself. The ROI from adopting LED lighting in your business can typically more than cover the monthly payments on these loans, so it’s hard to find a reason not to switch with 100% of the costs to do so covered.
If you opt to apply for financing through Siemens, you even receive a energy saving assessment from The Carbon Trust to ensure the new equipments will deliver the energy and financial savings you expect. If your business is in the public sector then you can apply to receive 100% interest free loans to cover the cost of implementation from a variety of suppliers.
Find out more about commercial LED lighting
