/ THE NETWORK / NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
BY DARA GREANEY
I like to make lists. I also like to leave them laying on the kitchen counter, and then guess what's on the list when I am at the store.
LED LIGHTING
IS REVOLUTIONIZING
INDUSTRIAL
AND COMMERCIAL
SPACE
Since its creation over 60 years ago, LED lighting has been associated with sustainability. By providing more light with less energy, LED lights reduce environmental impacts and conserve natural resources. In fact, LEDs have been shown to provide as much light as traditional incandescent bulbs while requiring 90% less energy. The sustainability LEDs deliver have made them an obvious choice for businesses looking to go green, but sustainability is just one of the benefits LED lighting delivers. When used in industrial and commercial spaces, LEDs also bring enhanced efficiency that translates to cost savings and higher levels of productivity. CUTTING COSTS
According to the US Department of Energy, lighting accounts for between 15-20% of total electricity usage in commercial spaces. With those numbers, it’s easy to see how bringing LED technology and its reduced energy costs into workspaces can provide considerable financial savings. In addition to providing cheaper light, LEDs provide cooler light than both incandescent bulbs and fluorescent bulbs, meaning they contribute less heat to industrial and commercial spaces, which reduces cooling costs. The cool light that LEDs provide also reduces the risk of fires and burns. REDUCING MAINTENANCE
LED bulbs last considerably longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, which
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translates to considerable savings in replacement costs. Studies show LEDs provide between 25,000 and 35,000 hours of light, which can be as much as 4 times the lifespan of a fluorescent bulb and 35 times the lifespan of an incandescent bulb. The longevity of LED bulbs also reduces the amount of maintenance required for lighting. In a setting where lights are used 10 hours a day, LED bulbs can last for nearly 10 years. Fluorescents used 10 hours a day will typically need to be replaced after two to three years of use, while incandescent bulbs used 10 hours a day last only three to four months on average. In an office or other commercial setting, bulbs that last longer reduce the workload on maintenance teams and business interruptions that can be caused by maintenance. In industrial settings where lighting can be difficult to access, longer bulb life can also mean greater safety for maintenance teams. IMPROVING PERFORMANCE
The quality of lighting in the workplace is a central component of productivity that can be easily overlooked. Employees who are provided with well-lit workspaces benefit from better concentration, better moods, and elevated levels of alertness— all of which drive productivity. LED bulbs offer several improvements over traditional bulbs in lighting quality. Color temperature is often adjustable with LED bulbs, allowing the same
bulb to provide optimal light quality regardless of the need. Blue light can be dialed in to boost alertness in work areas, while warmer colors can be used to encourage relaxation in rest areas. LEDs are also dimmable, which addresses over-lighting. LEDs support high color rendering, which results in a more accurate representation of colors. High color rendering reduces eye strain in the workplace as well as assisting in tasks that require color matching or colordependent design. Lighting glare, which can lead to headaches and eye fatigue, is also addressed by the way in which LEDs diffuse light. BOOSTING SUSTAINABILITY
A reduction in energy needs (which leads to less greenhouse gas emissions) is a top sustainability feature for LED lighting. This contributes to a smaller carbon footprint — a critical component of combating climate change. Switching from fluorescent bulbs to LED bulbs also reduces the risk of introducing mercury into the environment. Mercury, a known neurotoxin, is contained in fluorescent bulbs, so if fluorescent bulbs are broken or improperly disposed of, mercury can spill. LED lighting is a breakthrough technology that brings many benefits to the business world. With minimal investment, it drives innovative lighting solutions that enhance functionality and sustainability. For both commercial and industrial spaces, LED lighting is an effective way to increase productivity, lower lighting and maintenance costs, support safe practices, and enhance environmentalism. n
Dara Greaney is the Founder & CEO of LEDLightExpert.com