Commercial Exterior Lighting

Illumination for a typical business accounts for thirty to fifty percent of the total energy costs with commercial exterior lighting encompassing a large chunk of this. In retail stores and other places that require a great deal of display or accent illumination, the costs can soar even higher. Commercial exterior lighting is needed in order for any business to operate at an efficient level, but there are ways to cut down on the cost, so your company can see a larger return in the long run. We will take a closer look at how businesses use commercial exterior lighting fixtures and ways in which energy can be saved by incorporating a few simple steps.

Businesses use a variety of commercial exterior lighting products consisting of metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and mercury vapor lights with high intensity discharge (HID) systems to help balance out overall energy consumption. Spotlights are commonly used to illuminate the perimeter of a building or other large areas requiring ample radiance, such as outdoor garages and parking lots. Many spotlights are implemented for a wide area or broad beam illumination. To save on energy a business owner can use parabolic area reflector (PAR) fixtures, which chew up fewer watts. Using fixtures with a higher LPW (lumens per watt) will ensure that you get the most illumination out of each watt of energy. This is also referred to as the “efficacy” of a fixture.

Another common commercial exterior lighting device that is necessary for any business is path lights. These fixtures aid in nighttime vision by illuminating walkways and surrounding foliage. Low voltage path lights are available to help cut energy costs. Placing these in the proper location is important since their effectiveness may be reduced, if they are installed in areas where there is dense brush. Businesses can also save on commercial exterior lighting during the holidays, by using LED fixtures, which radiate splendid color and are extremely energy friendly for the buyer. These lights can also be used to highlight waterfalls or fountains that may dot the buildings entrance, to give them a sparkling rainbow effect for all to see.

Commercial exterior lighting can waste energy in several ways, but by taking a few simple steps you can ensure that your costs will not skyrocket over the top. To begin with, inefficient light sources can deplete energy leading to higher costs. This problem can be corrected by using commercial exterior lighting fixtures that have a higher LPW. If you are unsure about what fixtures contain this important element, ask a professional before any installation project is attempted. Moreover, transmission losses account for obstruction in overall illumination, thus leading to higher energy costs. Dirt, grime and wind blown dust can sometimes cover commercial exterior lighting lenses, hampering the overall illumination that it was intended to disperse. Moreover, if the fixture is located too far away from the space you are attempting to illuminate, then most of the light will be lost before ever reaching that space. Simple cleaning and placement of commercial exterior lighting devices will help your dollar go a long way. Finally, do not over light a specific area, if it does not require additional radiance. Businesses can also reduce costs by incorporating automatic switches to their fixtures, which will turn lights off, when they are not needed.

Commercial exterior lighting is important, but does not have to be a big expense. Although companies usually tend to overlook just how much energy is being consumed by outdoor illumination, there are easy steps anyone can take to slice overall expenses. A business can function properly, at a minimal cost, if a quality commercial exterior lighting plan is implemented. In return, your business will see increased profits, which can be used to pay other company expenses.