When deciding the best type of commercial lighting to get for your office or warehouse, there are many considerations. These factors include the height of the ceilings, the natural light coming in, the size of the space needing to be illuminated, the energy cost, and employee morale.
Lighting should meet the basic requirements of sufficiently lighting the tasks employees are doing, but that’s not all. Too much harsh light can negatively impact employee satisfaction and productivity.
To make sure that your workforce is happy and productive, they need to be able to see what they’re doing in a comfortable light temperature. Additionally, you’ll likely be paying the energy costs for the lighting. Knowing that your lighting needs to serve several purposes, it helps to understand what your lighting options are so you can make an informed decision.
Types of Commercial Lighting
1. Incandescent
Incandescent bulbs are typically only found in older fixtures these days due to their massive energy consumption and short lifespan. On the other hand, they can get very bright and burn at a warm temperature. While in most office settings a warm bulb may not be ideal, there are practical applications elsewhere. They are still used for some task lighting or accent lighting purposes.
Another aspect of incandescent lighting is that these bulbs use tungsten filaments instead of mercury, like CFLs. Tungsten is a non-dangerous metal, so it can be handled safely if a bulb is broken or damaged.
2. CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light)
Like we mentioned in the section about incandescent lighting, CFL bulbs are made with mercury filaments. However, if they are safely handled, this should not be cause for alarm.
CFL bulbs have their upsides, too. When compared to incandescent, CFL bulbs last approximately 20x longer, have a higher lumen output, and a cooler temperature. The long lifespan makes these bulbs a popular choice among office buildings because they don’t require changing as often. They are often cased in long, tubular bulbs that can light up rows of desks or long hallways.
3. LED (Light-Emitting Diode)
LED bulbs are incredibly energy-efficient compared to the first two examples. They consume less energy and have extremely long lifespans, some even lasting up to 100,000 hours. Many office buildings taking a green initiative are choosing LED bulbs because they have a significantly less environmental impact than traditional office lighting. Additionally, they require zero toxic materials to produce.
While LED lighting might sound like a dream, there are financial costs to consider. LEDs are much more expensive than other lighting options, requiring a large upfront cost. However, with the reduced energy consumption, LEDs will pay for themselves in approximately two years. Companies with long-term visions are increasingly turning to LEDs as a worthwhile investment.
4. Halogen
Halogen lights aren’t typically used in office settings because of their unnatural white light. These bulbs also tend to be notably bright. Halogens tend to be used in flood lamps or small task lighting in dim areas.
5. High-Intensity Discharge (HID)
Do you know those giant warehouses with the lights that seem to take several minutes to come on? Those are HID lights. They are very bright but slow to fully illuminate. This makes them a perfect option for situations like warehouses where there are high ceilings and the rooms are typically lit for extended periods. These lights can be hung up higher to illuminate more of the factory or warehouse floor with fewer bulbs. HID bulbs are also helpful if the building has large moving machinery or equipment that could damage lighting that is hung lower.
Common uses for HID bulbs also include outdoor lighting, such as landscape lighting.
Need Commercial Lighting Installation?
Do you need commercial lighting installed in a building or office? If you know exactly what you want or want a professional to determine the lighting option that would best fit your needs, Colvin Electric has experienced professionals ready to help. Give us a call today and get started on the path to a brighter future.