How to Save on Your Business's Energy Costs With Smart Lighting Upgrades

Introduction

Running a business comes with many expenses, one of the largest often being energy costs. As energy prices continue to rise, many business owners look for ways to reduce their overhead and save money on utilities. One way to achieve significant energy savings is through smart lighting upgrades. Replacing old, inefficient lighting with new energy-efficient options can drastically cut your business's energy usage and costs.

In this article, I will provide an in-depth guide on how smart lighting upgrades can help your business save on energy. I will cover the following topics:

Benefits of Smart Lighting for Businesses

Upgrading to smart lighting provides many benefits beyond energy savings:

Lower Energy Bills

• LED and other high-efficiency bulbs use 50-80% less energy than traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting
• Smart lighting controls like occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting further reduce energy waste by dimming or turning off lights when not needed
• These savings quickly add up, cutting lighting electricity costs by 40% or more

Improved Light Quality

• LEDs provide better light distribution, color quality, and brightness control compared to old bulbs
• This creates a more comfortable, productive environment for employees and customers

Enhanced Control and Monitoring

• Smart lighting systems allow for remote monitoring and control via web/mobile apps
• Schedules, scenes, and automation settings can be easily adjusted to optimize lighting usage
• Provides real-time insights into energy usage to identify savings opportunities

Reduced Maintenance Time and Costs

• LEDs and smart lighting controls have significantly longer lifespans than traditional lighting
• Fewer bulb replacements reduces maintenance expenses and labor time

Choosing the Right Smart Lighting Solutions

To maximize savings and benefits for your business, it is important to select the right smart lighting upgrades. Key factors to consider include:

Lighting Type

• LED lighting provides the highest efficiency and should be the default choice over fluorescent or incandescent
• Alternative technologies like CFLs or high-bay fluorescents may suit some specialized applications

Controls and Sensors

• Occupancy/motion sensors turn off lights when spaces are vacant
• Daylight harvesting controls dim artificial light when sufficient natural light is available
• Smart switches, wireless controls, and building automation systems enable remote control and automation

Quality and Reliability

• Evaluate product certifications like ENERGY STAR when selecting bulbs and fixtures
• Choose commercial-grade products designed for longevity and performance

Smart Networking Capabilities

• Opt for LEDs and controls with smart networking integration, allowing centralized control and data collection
• Open standards like Zigbee provide compatibility with building automation systems

Professional Installation/Integration

• Considering hiring an integrator to ensure proper placement, zoning, and programming of smart controls to match business needs and maximize functionality

Calculating the ROI on Smart Lighting Solutions

When planning a lighting upgrade, it is important to calculate the project's return on investment (ROI) to justify the upfront costs. Here are some factors to include in the ROI analysis:

• Energy audit - Conduct an audit to understand your current lighting power usage as a baseline
• Installation costs - Factor in material, labor, and any disposal/recycling expenses of old bulbs and fixtures
• Expected energy savings - Estimate annual kWh reduction based on upgraded lighting wattages and efficiencies
• Utility incentives and rebates - Many utilities offer generous rebates for approved smart lighting projects, offsetting costs
• Maintenance savings - Account for lower maintenance costs thanks to longer-lasting new lighting
• Other savings - Consider productivity or sales gains from improved lighting quality

A good ROI timeframe for most smart lighting projects is 2-4 years. The overall lifetime savings will continue to grow as energy prices increase over time.

Smart Lighting Strategies for Different Business Types

The ideal smart lighting solutions for a retail store will differ from an office or warehouse. Here are lighting strategies tailored to common business types:

Retail Lighting

• Use high CRI LEDs to accurately display merchandise colors
• Layer general and accent lighting to highlight products
• Install occupancy sensors in low-traffic areas like storerooms
• Utilize scheduling controls to dim or turn off perimeter lighting after hours

Office Lighting

• Deploy tunable white LEDs to create energizing cool light and soothing warm light
• Integrate individual daylight harvesting sensors at windows and skylights
• Group open office areas into control zones based on room use patterns
• Utilize occupancy/vacancy sensors in private offices, conference rooms, and bathrooms

Warehouse Lighting

• Install high-bay LED fixtures to provide bright, even lighting for workers
• Incorporate motion sensors in low-traffic warehouse aisles or remote sections
• Use smart controls to selectively dim perimeter daylight zones
• Schedule off-hour security lighting levels to reduce after-hours energy use

Top Smart Lighting Brands and Products

If you are ready to upgrade your business's lighting, here are some recommended brands and product lines to consider:

• Philips - Offers a full ecosystem of LEDs, sensors, and controls under brands like Philips, Interact, and SpaceWise
• Acuity Brands - Popular for commercial-grade LED fixtures and smart controls like those from Lithonia Lighting and Sensor Switch
• Osram - Provides quality, advanced LEDs, automations systems, and IoT-enabled lighting
• GE Lighting - Known for reliable LEDs, motion sensors, wireless controls, and lighting management software
• Schneider Electric - Specializes in integrated building automation and energy management systems

I recommend focusing your search on commercial-grade products certified by UL or DLC to ensure quality and performance.

Lighting Upgrade Best Practices

Here are some tips for a smooth, successful smart lighting upgrade project:

• Perform an energy audit and gather lighting inventories to understand your baseline usage
• Research utility rebates and apply for pre-approval if required
• Develop a comprehensive plan for phased implementation if doing a large retrofit
• Hire a qualified contractor/integrator experienced in smart lighting implementation
• Start with a pilot project to test products and controls before wide-scale retrofitting
• Verify lighting levels, color quality, and controls operation after installation
• Fine-tune controls and settings during initial operation to optimize energy savings and functionality
• Continue monitoring energy usage and lighting performance over time for additional improvements

Conclusion

Upgrading to smart, energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce your business's energy costs. The technology has evolved to deliver significant energy savings while also improving lighting quality, control, and maintenance overhead. Just be sure to do your homework in advance to strategically plan the right lighting solutions to maximize savings potential based on your specific business needs and spaces. The long-term benefits for your bottom line will make the upfront investment worthwhile.