Get A Custom Quote
Back to all Blog posts

Why Businesses Should Make the Switch to LED Lighting

April 19, 2021 Office Lobby Signs

Based on current trends, some reports estimate that almost 90% of light sources will be LED (light-emitting diode) by 2030. This increase is due to many different benefits, all of which businesses would be wise to consider in the interest of cost-efficiency, sustainability, accessibility, and more. 

In addition to general overhead lighting, businesses may use lighting for ambiance (e.g. lamps and recessed lighting), safety (e.g. lighting on stairways), and office lobby signage or backlit outdoor signage.

What Is LED Lighting and How Does It Work?

The two other major types of lightbulbs are incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), with incandescent being the oldest and most common. Incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a filament until it produces light. Meanwhile, CFLs work by producing ultraviolet light, which then illuminates a coating of fluorescent material on the inside of the bulb.

An LED light works by allowing an electrical current to pass through a diode. Electrons fill electron holes and produce photons (light particles). As compared to incandescent bulbs and CFLs, this method uses far less energy to produce light. According to the United States Department of Energy, LEDs use 25%-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Benefits of LED Lighting

The majority of the notable benefits regarding LED lighting relate to its energy efficiency. However, in general, good quality lighting can confer many benefits to a business, from ambiance to safety.

Savings 

Because LED lights conserve energy, they also cost less to use. According to the aforementioned report from the Department of Energy, it costs consumers about $3.50 – $4.80 per bulb for incandescent bulbs, $1.20 for CFLs, and $1.00 for LEDs, on an annual basis. In fact, according to one estimate, the use of LED bulbs can save a business about $3,700 per year, per 25 light bulbs. 

Lighting Control

As LED lighting is in increasing demand due to its energy efficiency, many lighting options are being developed in integration with LEDs. This includes lighting control options such as dimmers, motion-activated sensors, timers, remote controls, and smart controls. These options are especially useful for businesses that want to reduce light usage, improve ambiance, or sync up controls through a remote network. Many of these options may also become the new norm as a result of the rise of smart appliance integration.

In addition to switching on/off and adjusting brightness, RGB color changing is a great way to make an impact in a business setting. This allows business owners to use a dial to adjust the lights in an area to a wide range of colors with a variety of shades, patterns, and so on. 

A lighting RGB color changing controller allows business owners to adjust the lights in an area to a wide range of colors with a variety of shades and patterns.

This can be used to set a specific ambient mood or even alert certain individuals (such as those with hearing disabilities) to specific situations. For example, flashing red lights might be used to indicate an emergency scenario. Best of all? Many of these systems are WiFi- and app-compatible, allowing users to make adjustments from their smartphone.

Lifespan

According to the Department of Energy report, LEDs can last 3-25 times longer than other types of bulbs. This factor can reduce the need for upkeep, as well as improve the overall aesthetic of your business, as dead lights can convey poor professionalism, especially in the case of promotional materials, making it valuable to integrate clean lighting for signage like lobby signs or backlit lettering.

Light Quality

LEDs have a brightness and breadth of illumination similar to that of comparable incandescent bulbs and CFLs. However, by comparison, LED bulbs can generate the full spectrum of visible light without requiring any additional accessories, and have virtually no warm-up or cool down time when switched on or off. This can give businesses a wider range of options with fewer upgrades necessary as it pertains to lighting. 

For example, business owners may opt to use either warm white or cool white light, depending on their needs. Warm white light is generally more relaxing to the eyes and is useful in areas where employees need to rest, such as break rooms. Cool white light, on the other hand, has a more modern look and fosters improved focus and productivity.

Employee Health and Productivity 

Because backlit LED lights have such a high potential for adjustment, it is easier to adjust the intensity or color of the lighting to better suit the needs of building occupants. Notably, cooler lighting, such as blue light, is thought to improve energy and productivity. This may not only improve the mood of customers, but also increase the rate and quality of production by improving the mood of employees. 

Halo rings or halo headlights can be particularly effective ways of adding a subtle and stylish touch to an area’s decor while boosting employee mood and efficiency. This is one of the most simple means of improving employee productivity through building design, along with the introduction of more natural light.

Environmental Responsibility

Due to the aforementioned lower energy usage, LED bulbs are also better for the environment than traditional lighting sources. In addition to their inherent low energy usage, their integrative ability with remote controls, timers, and motion sensors allows them to reduce energy usage by ensuring that lights are not always running when they are not needed. According to one report, lighting accounts for almost 5% of CO2 emissions worldwide, and a global shift to LED lighting could eliminate over 1,400 million tons of CO2 emissions.

Should Your Business Make the Switch to LED?

There are many reasons that your business could benefit from switching to LED lighting, including:

  • You want to reduce the cost of lighting.
  • You want to contribute to sustainability.
  • You want to improve the quality of your lighting.
  • You are making smart upgrades to your business.
  • You want to create an air of professionalism.
  • You want to improve employee productivity. 
  • You want to improve the mood of customers. 
  • You want more options for your lighting. 

Businesses that could particularly benefit from LED upgrades include:

  • New businesses that haven’t invested in lighting yet;
  • Food and retail services;
  • Offices;
  • Schools;
  • Public service agencies;
  • Warehouses;
  • Care facilities.

It is better to upgrade sooner rather than later, as the benefits are exponential, and therefore increase over time. Additionally, it is important to note that, just as is the case with any other type of light bulb, quality can vary widely depending on the individual product, and therefore it is important to do some research on which particular LEDs will work best for your business.

Get a custom Quote