How to Save on Commercial Lighting Without Sacrificing Quality

Determine Your Lighting Needs

When looking to upgrade or install new commercial lighting, the first step is to evaluate your needs. Consider the purpose of each space and how it's used. Meeting rooms, office spaces, warehouses, and retail stores all have different lighting requirements.

Some key factors to consider for each space:

Brightness - How much light is needed for tasks? Brightness is measured in lumens.
Color temperature - Do you need cool white lighting (high kelvin) or warm white lighting (low kelvin)? Cool lighting is energizing while warm lighting is relaxing.
Light distribution - Is the lighting direct, indirect, or a mix? Indirect lighting reduces glare on computer screens.
Dimming - Does the lighting need to be adjustable? Dimming saves energy when full light isn't needed.
Controls - Look for occupancy sensors, timers, and daylight harvesting to maximize energy savings.

Conducting a thorough lighting audit of your existing spaces is helpful for determining what improvements to make.

Focus on LED Lighting

LED lighting offers significant energy and cost savings compared to older fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Some benefits of LEDs:

Energy efficient - Use 50-70% less energy than incandescent. Saves on utility bills.
Long lifespan - Last 25 times longer than incandescents. Fewer replacements needed.
Reduced maintenance - No ballasts or tubes to repair or replace like fluorescent lighting.
Better light quality - Brighter, better colors, less glare.
Durable - Not fragile like fluorescents. Resistant to vibrations and external impacts.
Controllable - Dimming and color tuning ability. Integrates with lighting control systems.
Mercury free - Better for the environment.

While more expensive upfront, LEDs pay for themselves in energy savings within 1-3 years for most businesses. They are the best lighting investment in the long run.

Take Advantage of Rebates and Tax Incentives

There are several rebates, tax credits, and incentives available for upgrading to higher efficiency commercial lighting:

Utility company rebates - Many electric utilities offer rebates for installing LEDs and advanced lighting controls. Rebates may cover 25-75% of equipment costs.
Federal tax deductions - Businesses can deduct equipment costs from federal taxes under the 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings tax deduction. Lighting accounts for up to 60% of the maximum deduction.
State and local incentives - Some states and municipalities offer incentives, credits, grants, and low-interest financing for energy efficient lighting upgrades. Check the DSIRE database.
EPAct tax deduction - The Energy Policy Act allows tax deductions for energy efficient commercial building upgrades including lighting.
Demand response payments - Enrolling in utility demand response programs pays businesses to reduce energy use during high demand. This works well with advanced lighting controls.

Be sure to research available incentives before starting a lighting project. Rebates and tax breaks can offset 25-75% of upgrade costs.

Buy Commercial Grade Products

Resist the temptation to use cheap, inferior lighting found at typical big box retail stores. Commercial grade lighting fixtures and bulbs are specifically designed for business applications.

Key factors that make commercial grade lighting superior:

Designed to run 24/7 without failure
Higher lumen output and efficacy
Better color quality and consistency
Higher fixture quality and durability
Longer warranties from reputable manufacturers
Components easily replaced/repaired
Optimized for commercial ceilings and layouts
Complies with commercial lighting codes

Stick with commercial lighting brands known for quality including Cree, Acuity Brands, Hubbell, GE, and Philips. Avoid no-name import brands. Pay a little more upfront for better reliability, performance, and lifespan.

Use Lighting Controls

Investing in an advanced lighting control system will maximize energy savings in commercial spaces. Look for:

Occupancy/Vacancy sensors - Automatically turn lights on/off based on occupancy. Reduce wasted electricity in low traffic areas.
Daylight harvesting - Dim artificial lighting when ample natural light is available. Photocells measure and automatically adjust light levels.
Smart scheduling - Program customized on/off schedules for lighting tailored to building usage patterns.
Zoned lighting - Separate control of different areas so unused sections can be turned off.
Dimmers - Allow light levels to be optimized for each task. Dimming LEDs can cut lighting power in half.
Centralized controls - Adjust lighting remotely through web/mobile apps and building automation systems.

Advanced lighting controls pay for themselves through energy savings and better lighting for occupants.

Work With a Lighting Contractor

Unless you have in-house facilities staff knowledgeable in commercial lighting, it is wise to work with a professional lighting contractor for the design, product selection, and installation of an upgraded lighting system.

Benefits of using a qualified lighting contractor:

Lighting design expertise - They will design a lighting system tailored specifically for your spaces and needs.
Product knowledge - They stay on top of the latest commercial grade lighting and control technologies.
Utility incentive experience - They can advise you on the optimal products and layout to maximize rebates and incentives.
Compliance assurance - They ensure the system complies with national and local commercial lighting codes.
Streamlined installation - A lighting contractor will oversee the entire process from permitting to disposal of old fixtures.
Ongoing service - They can service, repair, and maintain the new lighting system as needed.

Investing in high quality, energy efficient commercial lighting pays dividends in the long run through lower operating costs, improved lighting, and utility incentives. Following this guidance will maximize savings without sacrificing lighting quality and performance.