10 Things to Consider when Upgrading to LED
Facility maintenance professionals and property managers recognize that lighting and energy costs account for a significant portion of their maintenance and operating budgets.
The 2019 budget season is here, and if you are considering upgrading your property to LED, here are ten things to consider:
1) Energy Savings and Efficiency
Due to the long lifespan of LED lights, maintenance costs are significantly less, which helps to create the energy savings. For instance, LTS currently replaces a 32w T8 lamp with a 12w TLED or a 460w Metal Halide with a 150w LED in a parking lot.
2) Extended Life
Good-quality LED bulbs can generally last between 25,000-50,000 hours, and has an average life of 6-12 years if ran 12 hours a day, seven days a week. This is 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs.
3) Color
Bulbs measured on the lower end of the Kelvin spectrum (2,700K) are “warmer” in color, whereas bulbs that are 5,000K and above will appear “cooler”.
4) Color Rendering Index (CRI)
Is color quality and differentiation important in your space? The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is the measurement of how colors look under a light source when compared with sunlight. The index is measured from 0-100, with a perfect 100 indicating that colors under the light source appear the same as they would under natural sunlight. Lights with a low CRI can make it very difficult to distinguish between colors. For example, under HPS lights, it is difficult to discern if someone is wearing a blue, black, or purple shirt. This creates a security concern for shopping centers who are currently using HPS lighting.
LTS installs new LED exterior lights with a minimum CRI of 70, in comparison to a standard HPS (High Pressure Sodium) light that has a CRI of 21.
5) Warranty
How long/much of a warranty is being provided by the manufacturer? What does the warranty cover? Ensure that you are purchasing from a reputable company that will be around in 4 years to service a 5 year warranty. In addition to any available manufacturer warranty, LTS also offers an unconditional 90-days material/parts and labor warranty, as well as the State of California Contractor's 1-year workmanship warranty.
6) Light Distribution
LED is designed for the ability to direct light to a specific location without the use of an external reflector. LED illumination systems are able to deliver light more efficiently to a desired location.
7) Eco-Friendly
Most fluorescent bulbs contain a multitude of materials such as: mercury, lead, cadmium and gas. LED lights contain no toxic materials and are 100% recyclable. The long operational lifetime span of one LED light can save material and production of up to 25 incandescent bulbs.
8) Durability
LED’s are often used in outdoor lighting systems because of their ability to withstand severe weather conditions. In fact, LED lights operate more efficiently as the ambient temperature gets lower. They are also extremely durable and are resistant to shock, vibrations, and most external impact.
9) Noise
Some traditional light bulbs and lighting fixtures that emit harsh light and hum when operating can wear on worker energy levels. Metal halides are notoriously noisy, especially if they have been used for an extended amount of time. LED bulbs are virtually silent when installed correctly.
10) “Dimmability”
LEDs can be dimmed, resulting in a dynamic control of light, color, flexibility, and distribution. If you’re planning to use dimmable LEDs you’ll need a compatible LED dimmer switch.
To find out more about upgrading to LED and how LTS can help, please contact: 949-428-5040 ext. 949-428-5040.