How to Save on Electrical Costs By Installing Your Own Commercial Lighting

Installing your own commercial lighting can significantly reduce electrical costs for your business. With some planning and effort, you can complete this project yourself and see the savings add up over time. Here is an in-depth guide on how to save on electrical costs by installing your own commercial lighting.

Assessing Your Current Lighting Situation

The first step is to thoroughly evaluate your current lighting situation.

• Walk through your entire commercial space and take notes on the types of lighting fixtures currently in use. Pay attention to the number, wattage, and age of the light bulbs.

• Examine the lighting controls like switches and dimmers. Note any that are malfunctioning or inefficient.

• Consider which areas seem overlit or underlit. Are there any glare issues or dark spots?

• If possible, review utility bills and calculate electrical costs associated with lighting. This provides a baseline to compare future savings against.

Thoroughly understanding your existing lighting helps determine the best plan for an upgrade. Focus on the most dated, inefficient, and problematic lighting first.

Choosing New Commercial Lighting Fixtures

Selecting suitable commercial lighting fixtures is essential to maximize efficiency.

• LED lighting is the most energy efficient option. The long lifespan means fewer bulb replacements as well. Consider LED tube lights, panels, and downlights.

• For warehouse or manufacturing settings, high bay LED fixtures provide bright, even light distribution without glare.

• In office and retail settings, recessed LED panel lights and pendant lights provide attractive ambient lighting.

• Outdoor areas like parking lots benefit from durable and energy efficient LED flood lights.

• Occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting sensors, and dimmers help control lighting use. This prevents energy waste in unused spaces.

• Stick to mainstream brands like Philips, GE, and Cree for quality and performance guarantees. Check lumens, color temperature, and CRI when comparing fixtures.

Choose the right lighting fixtures for each space based on use, aesthetics, and efficiency needs.

Calculating Your Lighting Needs

To determine exactly what lighting to buy, calculate the lighting requirements for each area of your commercial space.

• Measure the room dimensions - length, width and height. Include shelving or racking that impacts lighting distribution.

• Note the room usage such as office, storefront, stairwell etc. Lighting needs vary by use.

• Establish the lightingUniformity and brightness needed. This depends on the task performed. Refer to industry standards like IESNA.

• Factor in energy codes for your building type and location. Commercial lighting has minimum efficacy requirements.

• Use the lumen method to calculate the luminaire lumens needed. Lumen output depends on room size, surface reflectances, and activities.

• Space fixtures appropriately based on light distribution. Account for racking, shelves, furniture etc.

Accurate calculations ensure you purchase the right amount and distribution of lighting. Don't overlook special considerations like emergency lighting either.

Installing Commercial Lighting Fixtures

With lighting choices made, focus on safely installing the new commercial grade fixtures and controls.

• Create a detailed installation plan mapping out placement of each new fixture. Include switching and wiring details.

• Obtain any necessary permits for commercial electrical work in your region. Have plans reviewed.

• Follow proper protocols for electrical safety - use caution when working with wiring and electricity.

• Most commercial lighting fixtures are designed for simple, direct installation. However, hire an electrician if complex wiring and circuitry is involved.

• Properly dispose of old lighting fixtures and bulbs, many of which contain hazardous materials like mercury. Recycle when possible.

• Test all newly installed lighting to ensure proper functioning before finishing ceiling and electrical work.

Take a methodical approach to safely install new energy efficient lighting in your commercial space.

Realizing Ongoing Electrical Savings

Once your commercial lighting upgrade is complete, the energy savings begin immediately. But there are still steps to take for continued efficiency.

• Readjust lighting controls like dimmers and timers to optimize use for each space. Fine tune as needed.

• Monitor energy bills for 1-2 months to gauge the actual reduction in lighting costs versus past bills.

• Add lighting controls like occupancy sensors and daylight dimmers in phases to see continued electrical savings.

• Clean fixtures regularly to maintain light levels. Clean lumens mean lower energy use.

• Replace bulbs promptly when they burn out. Use LEDs rated for long lifespans.

• Consider expanding your lighting upgrade in phases if budget was a limitation initially.

Proper maintenance and lighting management ensures your commercial lighting upgrade continues providing energy and cost savings for years to come.

Installing commercial lighting fixtures might seem daunting, but taking a systematic approach makes it a manageable DIY project. Following this guide will help you successfully plan, purchase, install, and manage energy efficient commercial lighting tailored to your business needs and see significant electrical savings over the long term.