Are you burnt out on that old lighting system in your business? Why not brighten things up with a lighting upgrade? Any project involves crucial steps to success, as well as fundamental mistakes to avoid. Here are things you should and shouldn't do to optimize your lighting upgrade.
You should:
Switch to LEDs
If you still havent made the switch, LEDs are 75% more efficient and come with a number of other features that can benefit your business. LEDs last up to 50,000 hours or longer — much longer than traditional lighting technologies. The latest LEDs also provide excellent light quality and are adjustable for both brightness and warmth — allowing you to create a more productive and visually appealing business environment. Finally, LEDs start instantly and are inherently dimmable — making them a perfect fit for controls.
Add controls
Even the most efficient lights waste energy lighting empty spaces. Automated controls add convenience and optimize efficiency. Controls — such as timers, occupancy sensors and photosensors — dim lights, change warmth or switch them on and off based on time, occupancy, light level or a combination of strategies. Wireless light controls add flexibility and are cheaper to install. Many LEDs are also compatible with the Internet of Things (IoT), Power over Ethernet (PoE), Energy Management Systems (EMS), and some can even be controlled by voice or smartphones. Talk to a lighting professional to learn more about all of these exciting possibilities.
Make the right match
Your new lighting system may not live up to expectations unless it's properly configured to match the needs of the application and the space. The quantity of light needed depends largely on the application or the tasks being performed. The Illuminating Engineering Society provides recommended light levels for a variety of applications and tasks. Also, the human eye sees the amount of light reflected off surfaces, not absolute light levels. It's important to distribute light evenly to avoid glare or dark spots.
You shouldn't:
Operate in the dark
Information is vital in making good investment decisions. Gather records about the lighting system installation and maintenance: age, type, fixture wattage and so on. A lighting audit is a good basis for measuring the financial worth of an upgrade. The contractor implementing your retrofit should provide an installation checklist spelling out exactly what will be done. It should describe every step in the process, from ordering the fixtures to cleaning up. This will reduce the potential for misunderstandings. ANSI/IES LP-9-20: Upgrading Lighting Systems in Commercial and Industrial Facilities gives valuable guidance on upgrades.
Get too off color
The color temperature output of light fixtures — measured in Kelvin (K) — can affect employee productivity. Studies show that employees prefer warm light (3,000 K) in breakrooms, a color in the mid-range (4,000 K) for conference rooms, and cool light (5,000 K) in offices or work areas to improve alertness and mood.
Lose your focus
Although LEDs are durable and have a long-rated life, proper maintenance is critical to optimizing performance over the long term. Light output decreases over time and dirt accumulation on lamps and fixtures reduces their effectiveness. Address maintenance at the beginning of the upgrade process. Implement a regular cleaning schedule and group relamping, which saves on labor costs and ensures more uniform lighting.
Planning is important for a successful lighting upgrade. Work with a qualified contractor or lighting designer to ensure you have the right system to fit your needs.
Request to be contacted by an energy adviser to learn more about LED lighting and controls, including Focus on Energy incentives. Your energy advisor can also provide a targeted set of energy-efficiency recommendations for your business with a 10-15 minute phone call.