Schematic Star

“Overlooked Ways to Save on Industrial Lighting Upgrades”

Overlooked Ways to Save on Industrial Lighting Upgrades

Industrial facilities can benefit tremendously from upgrading to more efficient lighting. However, lighting upgrades often require significant upfront costs. As the facility manager in charge of my company's budget, I'm always looking for smart ways to implement lighting upgrades that maximize long-term cost savings. Here are some overlooked ways I've found to save on industrial lighting upgrades:

Audit Existing Lighting and Create a Lighting Plan

Before undertaking any lighting upgrade, it's critical to audit the existing lighting system and understand how it's currently used. An audit provides key details like:

This data allows you to create a detailed lighting plan that optimizes your upgrade for energy efficiency and cost savings. The plan should outline:

A strategic lighting plan is invaluable for maximizing savings on the project. It also helps secure internal alignment and funding.

Take Advantage of Utility Rebates and Tax Incentives

Once the lighting plan is set, identify ways to reduce upfront costs. Utility rebates and federal tax incentives like the 179D tax deduction can offset 30% or more of project costs.

I spend time researching available incentives and rebates in my region. I also hire contractors familiar with the application process. Taking advantage of these programs makes payback periods for upgrades much more attractive.

Phase Upgrades Over Time

While a facility-wide lighting overhaul produces maximum savings, it's often not realistic from a budget standpoint. Phasing upgrades over 2-3 years can help mitigate high upfront costs.

I like to start with quick-payback measures like installing occupancy sensors in low traffic areas. Retrofitting luminaires in the most heavily used areas then becomes phase two. Finally, I replace remaining legacy lighting in phase three.

A phased approach stretches out project costs annually while still delivering substantial cumulative savings. It also allows time to gather funding for later phases.

Source Both New and Refurbished Materials

When purchasing project materials, I balance new luminaires with refurbished products to reduce expenses. Refurbished industrial luminaires cost 40% less on average but provide nearly equivalent performance and longevity. I source refurbished products through specialist vendors for significant savings.

Incorporating refurbished materials allows me to upgrade more of the facility within a set budget. I focus new products on the most critical areas while utilizing refurbished luminaires elsewhere.

Monitor Energy Usage and Light Levels

To guarantee projected savings, it's essential to monitor lighting energy usage and light levels after upgrades are complete. By installing submeters and conducting post-installation audits, I can confirm lights are performing as intended. I can also identify any immediate tweaks needed to enhance efficiency.

Continuous monitoring also allows me to evaluate changes in how the space is used over time. I use this data to propose further lighting enhancements that yield additional savings. The key is verifying upgrades achieve their intended outcomes.

Conclusion

Industrial lighting upgrades offer tremendous potential for increased efficiency and cost savings. Taking a strategic approach is critical for maximizing benefits while controlling expenses. Conducting audits, utilizing rebates and tax incentives, phasing upgrades, sourcing economical materials, and monitoring results are some of the most effective yet overlooked ways to reduce costs. With the right plan, companies can unlock world-class energy savings and quickly recoup their investment on the project.