Lighting at work is one of the most essential items to ensure that your staff are safe and can properly do their work. A workplace that is not properly lit can suffer from lost productivity, lower safety, and job satisfaction. We’ll discuss some savings opportunities here, but if you want more information on lighting technology visit our LIGHTING 101 page.
It’s only been a few years since LED was commercially available and the prices have dropped while the quality has improved dramatically. LEDs appear to be the best option (with a few exceptions) for efficiency and keeps getting better. Let’s assume LED is the way to go but there are some caveats.
#1 Rule – Time is Money
Upgrade the fixtures that you use the most. There is little financial sense in replacing maintenance room lights as well because they’re only on for a few minutes a week. So look at what you’re using the most and then have a look at your options.
LED lifespan is extremely long as well so if you have lights in a hard to reach location, it might be best to swap them out with an LED and never have to worry about them again. Keep in mind that LED lights are powered by circuits and will have a typical fail rate of about 3%, similar to other consumer electronics. If they do fail, they tend to fail within the first 90 days of installation.
#2 Rule – Return on Investment
You are running a business. Lighting can be one of the easiest options for you to save on your consumption but some solutions will not make sense for you. Motion sensors are great for areas that require lighting almost 24/7 but may not be used a lot (like washrooms). You’ll need to weigh out the cost to install up front versus the benefit of lower bills over a course of time.
#3 Rule – Choose the Right Light
Having the right light for the right location is key. Have a look at the following videos as they will help to choose the right light for the right work environment:
#4 Rule – Be Consistent
Once you have your lighting in place, document what you have so that you ensure that you are replacing like with like. If you have a room full of warm light fixtures and insert a cool light fixture, it sticks out like a sore thumb.