Upgrading the lighting in your commercial space can bring many benefits, including improved visibility, energy savings, and an updated aesthetic. However, lighting upgrades often require a significant upfront investment. Here are some tips for upgrading commercial lighting on a budget.
Assess Your Current Lighting
Before upgrading, take stock of your existing lighting setup:
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Walk through the space and make note of where lighting seems insufficient. Pay attention to dark corners, transitions between rooms, and stairwells.
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Document the type of fixtures currently in place, including bulbs, ballasts, and housings. Note the condition, brightness, and color temperature.
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Consider how the space is used. Areas like offices and storage rooms may not need as much light as spaces like retail shops or restaurants.
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Think about your goals for the new lighting. Do you want to improve visibility, ambiance, or energy efficiency? This will help guide your upgrade approach.
Start with Bulb Replacements
Replacing outdated bulbs with new LED bulbs can make a big difference. LEDs consume much less energy and last much longer than older bulb types like incandescents and fluorescents.
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Switch incandescent or CFL bulbs to LEDs for an instant energy upgrade. This simple swap can reduce lighting energy use by 75% or more.
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For fluorescent fixtures, replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes. Ensure compatible ballasts or do a ballast bypass for full benefits.
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Upgrade bulb color temperature for desired ambiance. Cool white LEDs emulate daylight while warm white gives a cozier feel.
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Consider "smart" LEDs that allow dimming, color tuning, scheduling and other customizable lighting control.
Add Lighting Controls
Lighting controls like occupancy sensors, timers, and dimmers can also save energy and costs:
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Install occupancy sensors in spaces like restrooms, storage areas and offices to automatically turn lights off when vacant.
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Use dimmers or smart lighting to lower light levels when brightness isn't required, like at night or on weekends.
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Set schedules for lights to turn on/off at certain times each day based on your usage needs.
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Daylight harvesting automatically dims artificial light when sufficient daylight is available.
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Consider smart lighting systems for the ultimate in control and automation.
Enhance Ambiance with New Fixtures
For an impactful upgrade, replacing outdated fixtures provides the most dramatic lighting transformation:
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Swap out old fluorescent troffers for slim LED flat panels that provide even, glare-free illumination.
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Replace fluorescent tubes with indirect LED linear fixtures for a modern look.
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For retail and display spaces, add track lighting or LED spotlights to highlight merchandise.
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In offices, install task lighting such as under-cabinet lights or desk lamps to reduce general overhead lighting needs.
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For industrial areas, LED high/low bays offer huge efficiency gains over HID fixtures.
Take Advantage of Rebates and Tax Incentives
Check for utility rebates, which offer discounts and reimbursements for energy efficient lighting upgrades. Tax incentives like the 179D deduction can also help offset upgrade costs.
Partner with a Lighting Contractor
For large lighting retrofits, hiring a qualified lighting contractor ensures proper design, installation, and integration with controls. They can also help you identify and apply for incentives.
With strategic upgrades and cost-saving measures, you can transform the lighting in your commercial space without breaking the bank. Proper lighting enhances ambiance, improves productivity, and reinforces your brand.