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

Introduction

Reducing energy costs is crucial for any business looking to increase profits and become more sustainable. Lighting accounts for 12-15% of the total energy used in commercial buildings, making it one of the biggest opportunities for savings. By upgrading to smart lighting solutions, businesses can greatly reduce their energy usage and costs. In this article, I will discuss the benefits of smart lighting and provide actionable tips on how to implement it in your business to maximize energy and cost savings.

Why Smart Lighting Saves Energy

Traditional lighting like fluorescent and incandescent bulbs are inefficient - most of the energy they consume gets wasted as heat instead of light. They also don't allow for much control beyond manual switching on and off.

Smart LED lighting systems are far more energy-efficient and allow for greater control and automation through sensors, timers, and smart controls. This enables businesses to reduce energy waste and only use light when and where it's needed.

Specific ways smart lighting reduces energy costs include:

Tips for Implementing Smart Lighting

Here are some key steps businesses can take to upgrade their existing lighting systems to smarter, more energy and cost-efficient solutions:

1. Conduct a Lighting Audit

2. Determine Lighting Requirements

3. Select Efficient Lighting Solutions

4. Do Installation and Integration

5. Monitor Usage and Savings

Lighting Supplier and Financing Options

There are many lighting suppliers that cater to business clients. Large national companies like Phillips, GE, and Sylvania offer full-service custom lighting design, installation, and financing. Regional electrical and lighting contractors also provide similar services with competitive pricing.

Smart lighting upgrades can cost tens of thousands for massive warehouses or industrial facilities. However, the energy savings typically pay back the upfront costs in 1-3 years. Many suppliers can provide attractively structured financing plans and payment options tailored for energy projects. There are also rebates and tax incentives available from utilities and governments to offset costs.

Conclusion

Upgrading to intelligent, automated LED lighting enables businesses to substantially reduce one of their largest operational costs - electricity. The options for smart lighting controls are constantly improving with wireless networks and AI-enabled systems. By taking advantage of these innovations, companies can profit from energy savings for many years, while also improving sustainability. With proper planning, any organization can find a smart lighting solution that pays back quickly and keeps their facilities operating efficiently.