When you’re trying to make a decision on the right light fixtures for your retail store, you’ll have to choose from a lot of various bulb types. LED lighting is one alternative, and, like other choices, they have unique pros. There are also cons to LED lighting. As you weigh the benefits of LED lighting, you are going to need to take several different aspects into consideration.
What is LED Lighting?
LED is an acronym for light-emitting diode. When voltage gets applied to the two leads, electrons start moving, creating light (electro-luminescence). In comparison, an incandescent bulb lights up when its internal filament is heated; CFL bulbs glow when an electric current runs through the gases in the tube. There are a multitude of LED lighting fixtures, so you can find plenty of styles for every area of your retail store. From pendant lights to LED outdoor wall lights for a sign, there are a lot of options that are both trendy and economical.
Pros of LED Bulbs; LED Advantages
There are several LED advantages to consider when installing LED bulbs. Mainly, they last up to fifty thousand hours. This is a considerably longer lifespan than both CFL bulbs and incandescent lights. These enduring LED lights greatly decrease the need to buy and install replacements: making LED recessed lights or pendant lights a perfect choice to install in those almost inaccessible places — like from high ceilings or stairwells. LEDs are additionally energy efficient: they use around 6x less energy than other bulbs. Meaning that LED lights are going to provide you with considerable savings on your energy bill. Many local and state governments even provide rebates or other incentives to make the switch to LED bulbs.
Other Benefits of LED Lighting
LEDs are sometimes compared to their energy-efficient brethren, CFL bulbs. LEDS, different from CFLs, do not contain mercury. When an LED light breaks, you don’t have to worry about a challenging (or dangerous) cleanup process. Fixtures that have LED bulbs also don’t need any “warm up” time after being turned on; eliminating the time required to reach complete brightness. There are many kinds of LED lights that give off various colors, so you can add some pleasurable effects to your retail store’s lighting.
Cons of LED Bulbs; LED Disadvantages
One disadvantage of LED lighting is the high upfront expense for each bulb. After a while, nevertheless, LED lights are going to pay for themselves through energy savings and unbelievably long lifespans. Bulbs from different manufacturers may look noticeably different with regard to their white light hues, so select a reputable brand. A lot of white LED bulbs give off a cooler, blue-hued light — instead of the “warmer” glow that is related to incandescent bulbs.
Many people favor “natural light” or “daylight” LED alternatives. Some LED fixtures may produce sharp shadows that might not be desirable in certain areas in their retail store. Other disadvantages of LEDs are that not all LED bulbs can be dimmed; those that are, could require specialized dimmer switches. When dimmable LED fixtures are meaningful to you, it’s wise to examine the LED’s packaging closely if you want adjustable lighting. Lastly, many conventional LED bulbs might not be congruent with your existing enclosed fixtures, like flush mounted lighting. Nevertheless, some manufacturers provide specialty bulbs for enclosures.
Are LED Fixtures Right for Your Retail store?
Specific areas of your retail store could benefit more from LED lighting than others, subject to their use and their suitability. Areas in which changing bulbs are usually challenging, like high ceiling lights, are ideal candidates for LED lighting. Areas in which the aspect of the lighting (hue) is not as important, like outdoor areas, could also benefit from LED fixtures. If you are researching LEDs, you must consider specific performance factors, including lumens and color rendering index (CRI). The number of lumens is reference to the degree of light output (brightness); CRI defines the quality of light in comparison to an everyday reference (like daylight). The ideal LED light bulbs come with a high lumen count and CRI of at a minimum of ninety. After you have your new LED lighting fixtures installed, you can appreciate energy-efficient lighting with little to no required maintenance.
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