Your comprehensive guide to the world of commercial LED lights.

Lighting is an all-important necessity whether you’re in a shopping mall or an office. With it, employees can get work done, and business goes normal. Thanks to the growth of technology, an energy-saving option for lighting has become more popular than ever, especially in commercial uses of LED lighting.

Here, we’ll discuss everything you need about commercial LED lights. How do they work, how long do they last, how much do they cost, and how much can they help you save? You’ll also learn about the different types of LED lights, when and where to use them, and some details about manufacturers and companies where you can find them.

This is your detailed exploration into commercial LED lighting that hopefully answers any questions you may have. Let’s dive in!

What Are Commercial LED Lights?

As we start looking into the nitty-gritty details, the first questions that need answering are: What exactly is LED lighting? What sets it apart from traditional lighting choices, like fluorescent lights? And what are commercial LED lights?

LED stands for light-emitting diode, which is a directional light source. Simply put, LED lights are composed of semiconductor chips that emit light. LED lights are highly efficient and need only a tiny amount of energy to work. As a result, they produce very little heat and save energy.

Commercial LED lighting is used in commercial spaces, such as offices, government buildings, malls, businesses, and restaurants. LED lights have many uses, they come in many forms, including tube lights, troffer lights, high bay and low bay lights, vapor tight lights, and flood lights, to name a few. We’ll break down these categories later on.

How Do Commercial LED Lights Work?
One aspect that causes LED lighting to stand apart from traditional lighting (incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, etc.) is the heat difference: The standard incandescent lightbulb emits light at the cost of high heat. In contrast, the LEDs emit light without burning too hot. LEDs consume far less energy than the traditional bulb, so less heat is emitted, and they need less energy to work.

LED lights also aren’t made with any hazardous materials so they can be disposed of easily without harm to the environment. They are also environmentally friendly—perfect for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. This can be done conveniently by replacing traditional lighting with more sustainable LEDs.

Because they are made of semiconductor material, which requires more sophisticated engineering and, therefore, more time and money to make, the price of LEDs is higher than traditional lighting. However, LEDs are financially beneficial over time since they use less energy. While the initial cost of buying LEDs can be steep compared to conventional lighting options, they are an intelligent investment in the long run.

LEDs are energy efficient, safe, cost-effective, durable, and long-lasting. Their applications also vary widely. Some LED lights can dim and brighten as needed, and replacing traditional lighting with LED lighting isn’t difficult either. If you find that you want to replace your traditional lighting with LEDs, commercial LED retrofitting is a cost-effective and convenient way to do so.

With LED lighting, there are plenty of benefits and options. No wonder their popularity has been on the rise since their introduction to the business world.

How Long Do LED Lights Last?
One of the most significant advantages of LED lighting is its long lifespan. As a durable alternative to traditional lighting choices, LED lights are well known for lasting longer than conventional lights. Let’s break it down.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, residential LEDs use 75% less energy than traditional lighting, meaning they can shine approximately 25 times longer than the incandescent lightbulb. On average, commercial LED lights can last up to 25,000 hours, sometimes more. If they are used all day, every day, LED lights can keep shining for 3+ years. And, if the time of use is cut down to about 8 hours a day, they can last for approximately 8.5 years.

Of course, LED lifespan varies based on use and environment. There are multiple LED lights, each with a slightly different lifespan. In hotter temperatures, they may not last as long, and if they are used 24/7, they tend to have shorter lifespans. And, of course, a higher-quality LED light will last longer than a low-quality one.

Durability is another advantage to the longevity of LED lighting. LEDs are less fragile than traditional lighting, so there is less risk of accidental shattering. Because LED lighting is less likely to break, they are more likely to last for its entire estimated lifespan.

Very little maintenance is required for the use of LED lighting, making them not just durable and long-lasting but convenient as well. Using LEDs means not worrying about regular replacements (though a regular cleaning schedule is still recommended). LED lights also don’t burn out as quickly as other lighting options due to their low heat level; instead, they will dim over time. Even when the lifespan does begin to run out, LED lighting is more convenient than traditional lighting.

Industrial vs. Commercial LED Lighting
LEDs are often the best options for both industrial and commercial lighting due to their efficiency, health safety, and financial benefits. But to understand how best to use LEDs to illuminate these different types of spaces, there are some differences between industrial and commercial lighting to consider.

Both industrial and commercial lighting are task-oriented, so what is the difference between one and the other?

Industrial
Industrial lighting pertains to manufacturing environments, such as warehouses and factories. Intense lighting is necessary for the type of work that occurs in industrial atmospheres; in an area with extensive square footage, there are plenty of dark places to illuminate. One of the biggest concerns in a manufacturing environment isn’t just the functionality of its lighting but the safety of its workers.

Employees in warehouses and factories often work with or are surrounded by heavy machinery. Industrial atmospheres tend to include dangerous areas, so providing the ideal lighting is imperative to prevent workplace injury. LED lighting is bright and illuminates places where traditional lighting would have cast shadows.

Notably, the use of LEDs also doesn’t cause injury after prolonged exposure to the lights. Employees working in manufacturing often work long hours and challenging shifts, during which harsh lighting can cause headaches, migraines, and other health issues. LED lighting is soft and doesn’t contribute to these health-related nuisances. In the short term, LED lights in industrial environments are safer than traditional lighting.

Commercial
While industrial environments prioritize functionality, commercial environments thrive off of ambiance. Commercial venues include such spaces as restaurants, malls, and office spaces, as well as government buildings. For this type of environment, appearance is crucial and helps to improve business through the eye of the customer. LED lights provide ideal lighting without the harshness of traditional lighting and create a pleasant atmosphere that welcomes customers and keeps employees happy.

In a similar way to industrial lighting, commercial lighting improves the safety of employees, but it also helps businesses to thrive at the same time. LEDs are bright but not harsh, which gives radiant illumination without the downside of hurting the people who are enjoying it. And in commercial areas that thrive on softer lighting, like restaurants or other business areas, LED lights can also be dimmed. Whether you need brighter work areas for increased productivity or softer lighting to make customers feel comfortable, commercial LED lighting can accomplish both.

For environment-conscious companies, LED lighting is preferred for its environmentally-friendly qualities. LED lights are recyclable and create fewer (if any) UV emissions than traditional lighting, so it’s pretty literally more straightforward on the eyes. LEDs are more sustainable and safer for the health of employees and customers. What’s more, LED lighting achieves all of these safety positives while casting a flattering light on everything they illuminate, whether an industrial factory or a commercial business.

How Much Do Commercial LED Lights Cost, and How Much Do They Save?
For lighting used for commercial purposes, taking cost into consideration is a must. It takes a lot of power to illuminate an office, a shopping mall, etc. One of the most common reasons businesses second-guesses whether or not choosing LED lighting is right for them is the high price of LEDs compared to traditional lighting. But, as the most cost-effective lighting, LEDs will save money in the long run. Let’s break down how.

Price
Because the materials and skills needed to manufacture LED lighting generally cost more than traditional lighting, LED requires a higher level of sophisticated engineering for the end product to have the quality measure. So, there’s a bit of a trade-off.

Typically, the price of LED lighting hovers around 4–5 times the cost of traditional lighting, a price decrease compared to when LED lighting technology was newer and rarer. The Department of Energy expects the price to decrease even more as time goes on.

That being said, the initial price of replacing traditional lighting with LEDs is still a point of note that can end up turning businesses away from making the switch. To be sure, replacing conventional lighting with LEDs can be a significant investment, so it’s essential to look at the business’s specific growth options and limitations before deciding. Ultimately, it’s all about comparing the costs with the benefits.

Savings
Fortunately for businesses, the higher initial cost of installing LED lighting is quickly paid back by the energy saved over time. Compared to traditional lighting, the cost to use LED lighting is far lower, meaning that not only does LED lighting eventually pay for itself, but businesses also save money by cutting back on energy used.

In general, LED lighting reduces energy and saves approximately 75%. In the long run, switching from traditional to LED lighting is cost-effective, making it a financially savvy move. As mentioned, LED lights last much longer than conventional lighting, so they don’t need to be replaced as often, owing to their longevity and durability. An LED light bulb lasts 3–5 times longer than a CFL (compact fluorescent light) and up to 30 times longer than an incandescent light bulb.

This detail can create a great deal of savings for a business. Energy savings this great add up fast. If second thoughts about paying for a switch to LED lighting are surfacing because of the high initial cost, this is where the benefits to businesses present themselves. The result is often worth the price.

Types of Commercial LED Lights
Just as there are numerous types of lighting technology (incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, etc.), several types of LED lighting have their advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the application of LED lighting, these categories can be considered both industrial and commercial due to their versatility. Let’s take a moment to explore what type of LED is used for each lighting application.

LED Troffer Lights
As one of the most common types of commercial LED lights, drop ceiling lights are typically in a rectangular pattern and are designed to hang from the ceiling of commercial buildings. They can be suspended or mounted on the surface of the top (hence the term “drop ceiling”) and focus light down and out of their mounted fixture. This type of LED light can also fit into the grid of the ceiling, in which case they would be recessed.

When paired with the recessed drop ceiling fixture, troffer lights provide bright illumination without altering the building’s interior design. Troffer lights are usually used for offices, pharmacies, and hospitals.

LED Tube Lights
As the name suggests, commercial LED tube lights (or linear bulb lights) have a tube-like shape, and they do their best work in temperature-controlled areas with standard ceiling height. As linear lights, they provide uniform illumination in smaller areas, giving precise lighting without being too bright.

Due to their versatility, tube lights can be used anywhere, whether the location is industrial or commercial; one exception would be areas that require upward and downward lighting, like suspended fixtures. As one of the most common types of LED lighting, tube lights are general purpose and are perfect for areas where lighting needs to be on for longer periods, and they vary in size and brightness levels, depending on what you need them for. LED tube lights are also one of the most accessible types of lighting to maintain.

Their durability and versatility in terms of size, brightness, and application make LED tube lights ideal for shops and garages but also for offices, stores, and industrial spaces.

LED High Bay and Low Bay Lights
High bay LED lighting is ideal for larger areas with ceilings higher than 15 Ft. that need a great deal of illumination. As the name implies, low bay lights pair with lower ceiling heights at 12–20 Ft. This type of lighting has the benefits of being affordable, having an even light distribution, and presenting a uniform appearance. Linear high bay LED lighting is rectangular, making for easy installation and a preferable replacement for tube lights if you need an upgrade.

Because high bay LED lights are extremely functional, they can be used in an industrial and commercial capacity. They are often found in indoor commercial areas, such as shopping malls.

For a non-commercial environment, homeowners can use a UFO high bay LED light, which has a more circular appearance—like a UFO. This makes them useful for large residential areas, like barns. Outside of residential uses, UFO high bay lights are used in commercial and industrial spaces like warehouses and factories.

LED Vapor Tight Lights
Vapor-tight lights provide bright and safe lighting for rougher areas where dust, water, or dirt can easily spread. This type is a durable bulb set in an enclosed, sealed fixture, making it waterproof and protected from dust and humidity.

Commercial LED vapor-tight lights illuminate areas with plenty of moisture, dirt, or fumes. As such, you can typically find them providing light to airports, tunnels, and parking garages, to name a few.

Commercial LED Flood Lights
For outdoor areas and parking lots/garages, flood lights are a perfect choice, as they use lightweight but high-powered bulbs. The light emitted from this type is broad and can cover a wide area with precise beams.

Flood lights are used to illuminate areas both day and night. Schoolyards use them during the evening or nighttime sports. At night they are helpful to businesses in preventing nighttime break-ins and robberies or illuminate a specific monument or an outside church view.

Top Commercial LED Lights Manufacturers
Choosing the correct manufacturers for your lighting needs depends on which type and application you need. Though there is, undoubtedly, an enormous amount of commercial LED lighting manufacturers and companies, a few stand out as top players in the game.

Generally, companies like Cree Lighting, Acuity, Lithonia and LSI Industries provide a wide range of commercial LED lighting, whatever the application. Choosing a manufacturer depends on a business’s particular needs, but these top companies regularly offer high-quality products.

But no list of top commercial LED lighting manufacturers would be complete without Viribright™.

Commercial LED Lighting with Viribright™

The very mission of Viribright™ as a manufacturer is to offer reliable lighting for businesses and homes. Cost-effective and durable LED lighting is proper at home here.

Armed with the information you need—definition, cost/benefit breakdown, types and applications, manufacturer information, and more—you now have the know-how to make your business a more enjoyable, cost-effective place for customers and employees alike and yourself. Take a moment to browse through Viribright™ commercial LED lighting options to get started!

Commercial LED lighting refers to lighting used in but not limited to, retail spaces, such as offices, government buildings, malls, businesses, and restaurants.

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