Businesses are always looking to cut costs where possible. One thing that presents money-saving opportunities is LED technology. Many companies that transition from old lighting technologies to LED
technology save money and boost their revenues to some extent (because proper lighting improves employee productivity).
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-retrofit-your-existing-fixtures-safely
Oil and gas refining and processing facilities can be highly unsafe
because of the presence of hazardous compounds found in the atmosphere
under normal operating conditions. To enhance safety, companies in this
industry usually install explosion proof lighting systems in their
facilities to hinder the ignition of sparks that are created by
electrical equipment. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-led-applications-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry
We compiled a list of helpful LED Tips for your benefit and hopefully you might learn something about LED. Out tips include everything from helpful hints when it comes to retrofitting an existing fixture or what to look for when replacing a fixture with LED. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-led-tips
T8 and T12 fluorescent tubes are used in different commercial spaces, but they are not energy-efficient. They have a tendency to hum and flicker, contain mercury, have a short lamp life and a poor color quality, and their light cannot be fully dimmed. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-choosing-the-best-led-replacement-tubes
Educational institutions fulfill a very unique role in society. They are places of learning, interacting, and community cohesion. Cost-effective LED lighting can improve the learning environment in any institution, help students to feel safe, and boost a school’s brand and reputation.With that said, some decision-makers in learning institutions put off switching to LED technology because they have many questions and no ready answers. Today, we are answering 8 of the most common questions on LED lighting for schools. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-8-common-questions-about-led-lighting-in-schools
Nowhere is good lighting needed as in educational institutions. It not only improves the concentration of the students, it also enhances safety for all the people in the institution. Research has shown that lighting can have a negative or a positive impact on concentration. Lighting also impacts mood, engagement, energy, and alertness. Task-appropriate lighting can have a great effect in a classroom.It is therefore crucial to choose good lighting fixtures that will create an environment that is conducive to learning. Color temperature is also very important in school and college lighting. Cool white light, like the one emitted by LEDs, is recommended as it makes students more focused and improves their performance. For institutions with small children, warmer light may be needed where children engage in calmer activities.This guide will recommend the type and amount of light for different learning environments. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-lighting-for-educational-institutions
Businesses, institutions, and organizations are always looking for ways to decrease their energy costs because traditional lighting systems consume a lot of electricity. LED lighting, which is very energy-efficient, has replaced conventional lights in many applications. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-5-types-of-fixture-retrofits
Wall pack lights, or exterior building lights, are lights that are
usually mounted on the outer walls of commercial buildings. They are the
most common commercial outdoor lighting fixtures. Wall packs use
high-intensity lamp heads that are durable, energy-efficient, and have
low levels of light pollution. These lights offer extra security to
buildings as multiple fixtures are normally mounted on one wall to
illuminate specific areas outside a building. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-how-to-pick-the-right-wall-pack-lighting
Several pro teams in the biggest sports in America (NHL, NBA, MLB,
and NFL) have replaced outdated metal halide lamps with LED lighting in
their arenas and stadiums. The new lighting has benefited players, their
fans, and facility operations staff. Players enjoy playing under the
bright, powerful lights, fans love the brilliant light shows, and the
operations staff love the lighting’s unmatched controllability and low
maintenance. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-best-lighting-sources-for-sports-venues
High bay lights are fixtures that are usually found in large, open
spaces with high ceilings like warehouses, factories, gymnasiums,
industrial facilities, loading docks, big box retail stores, and sports
arenas. These lights are normally used in areas with ceiling heights
above 20 feet.High bay lighting fixtures have to illuminate large
vertical and horizontal spaces and must have a very high lumen output.
Many of these fixtures are designed in such a way that they produce
diffused light which reduces glare. The fixtures are usually mounted
using hooks or chains but they can also be mounted on a ceiling, it all
depends on the design. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-selecting-highbay-alternatives
Outdoor areas with a lot of activity like airports, shipping ports, highways, merging expressways, transportation terminals, and sports fields usually need high mast lighting because they require extra safety
and security. High mast lighting is very cost-effective and is the best
way to illuminate large outdoor spaces that need high-quality light. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-guide-to-high-mast-lights
When selecting LEDs for a warehouse, two things should be on your mind: productivity and safety. If the lights don’t enhance safety, workers can easily get injured and take many days off work – which is the last thing you want. And if they don’t boost productivity, employees will be
less alert and energetic, which will negatively impact your business
bottom line. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-5-things-to-consider-when-choosing-led-for-a-warehouse
It is no secret that parking lot lights consume a lot of electricity.
In fact, they can have a negative impact on a business’ bottom line.
But we all know that parking lots must be bright, well-lit areas in
order to enhance safety and security.Before LED lighting was
introduced, most parking lot poles had high intensity discharge light
fixtures. And while these fixtures provided bright light, the light
didn’t remain bright for very long and they consumed a lot of energy,
increasing electric bills significantly. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-read-this-before-you-buy-shoebox-lights
While you may be very familiar with LED technology, you may not fully understand what a LED retrofit is.
So, what exactly is a lighting retrofit? This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-informative-guide-to-retrofitting
We’ll start this post by asking a thought-provoking question. “Where do
you think airplanes go after dropping off passengers at an airport and
don’t have any other scheduled flights?” This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-how-to-choose-the-right-lighting-for-an-airport-hangar
Wall pack lights, or exterior building lights, are outdoor lights that
are usually mounted on the outer walls of buildings. They are also ideal
for lighting up driveways, streets, and walkways that are adjacent to
buildings, because they can be mounted on lighting poles. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-3-types-of-wallpacks-for-exterior-lighting
The increasing cost of electricity and the negative impact of
greenhouse gas emissions have made many businesses to adopt
energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly lighting solutions – and
LED is the most popular choice.
It is no secret that LED lights have revolutionized lighting thanks
to their low energy consumption, reduced maintenance, high light output,
and a myriad of other excellent benefits. These lights have helped
businesses, organizations, and institutions to save a lot of money on
electricity and have better light in their spaces. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-comprehensive-guide-to-highbay-lights
As LED technology continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the world of
lighting keeps on changing. And as more businesses and organizations
embrace LED technology, they realize they can save even more money by
installing automation and sensor technology in their spaces. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-how-lighting-controls-are-changing-lighting
High-Bay light fixtures are not only ideal for warehouses, they are used in facilities with high ceilings that require illumination from very high points (15 or more feet), like gymnasiums, sports arenas, loading docks, and industrial facilities.Until recently, metal halide lights were the only lights used in high bay lighting fixtures. However, these lights have many issues (they take time to warm up, buzz and flicker, consume a lot of electricity, and don’t have a long lifespan). Because of their inefficiency, these lights were quickly replaced by fluorescent and LED lighting systems. But the best of the two is definitely LED because of its energy efficiency, low maintenance, long lifespan, and better light output. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-why-convert-your-warehouse-over-to-led
If you happen to own or manage a parking lot, you should seriously
consider getting LED fixture retrofits to replace the traditional
lights. Converting to LED is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make
as it will have a big impact on your bottom line and the overall look of
the space.
If you’re looking to cut down costs, improve the quality of light in
your parking lot, and enhance the aesthetics of the space, LEDs are your
go-to lights. They emit higher-quality light than traditional lights
and have lower maintenance.
MyLEDLightingGuide is a LED light supplier whose main aim is to
help companies, organizations, and institutions switch to
energy-efficient lighting. We have more than 10 years of experience in
the LED lighting industry and have helped many facility owners to change
the lighting in their parking lots to LED. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-important-things-to-know-about-parking-area-lights
After years of getting frustrated by metal halide parking lot lights, you’ve finally decided to make the switch to LED. However, you aren’t sure where to start. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-buying-lights-for-parking-lots
When it comes to workplace lighting, we know two things: workers who are content with the lighting in their workspace are more productive and have a more positive outlook on everything, and that most American workers complain that they hate their office lighting.
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-making-light-work
The importance of parking area lighting must never be underestimated as it plays a critical role in enhancing safety. While the pole-mounted lights that dot different parking lots across the country are not something a lot of business owners think of, they can determine how safe (or unsafe) a parking lot is for employees, customers, visitors, and passers by.
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-4-reasons-to-upgrade-your-parking-area-lights-to-led
Truth be told, lighting systems are not equal. What may be ideal for one location may be unsuitable for another. For instance, a big box store does not need the same amount of light as a packaging warehouse. Even if these two facilities have the same square feet, the activities carried out inside them are very different.
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-foot-candle-requirements-for-different-environments
Explosion rated lighting, which also goes by the name Intrinsically Safe and Hazardous Location Lights, is UL certified lighting that complies with OSHA Safety Standards and is used in areas with pulverized dust, flammable petrochemical vapors, or ignitable fibers – or where the three have a probability of existing.
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-a-simple-guide-to-led-explosionproof-lighting
Explosion proof lighting can enhance the safety of an industrial space, but only if it is ideal for the location. If you’re an architect, a facility manager, or a lighting expert, there are three things you should look at when choosing hazardous location lighting
The lighting technology
The Class, Division, and Group of explosion lighting
The cost savings and environmental impact
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-3-things-to-consider-when-purchasing-explosionproof-lights
There are two things most people grapple with when converting to energy-efficient lighting:
Choosing the best lighting technology for their spacesDeciding whether they should retain their existing light fixtures or replace both the light sources and the fixtures
LED technology is the best solution in both cases as it is highly versatile and extremely energy-efficient. However, switching to LED
doesn’t always mean replacing traditional light bulbs. Sure, if your current light fixtures work well, all you may need to do is replace the old bulbs with LED
modules. But if they are old, your only option may be a full fixture replacement.
Before we discuss retrofitting and a full replacement, let’s talk a little about LED technology.
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-retrofit-or-new-fixture
Warehouse lighting should be able to accomplish two things: enhance
safety and increase productivity. When choosing lights for your warehouse, these
two should be your top priorities. The top general industry accidents,
according to the Department of Labor, are trips, falls, and slips. Having good
lighting is the best way to reduce the risk of accidents. If you’re thinking of
upgrading the lighting in your warehouse, our valuable tips should help you make
the right decision. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-how-to-choose-lights-for-warehouses
Poor lighting in warehouses can be a significant headwind for employers. Dim and degraded lights not only causes safety issues which can lead to big problems for owners, but also can decrease productivity. Beyond the aforementioned, there are numerous ways new LED lighting can improve warehouse conditions. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-5-reasons-led-lighting-improves-warehouse-safety
So, you are looking to purchase an LED Fixture, and are comparing two fixtures that both say they have the same beam angle of light distribution. Read this post and avoid the pitfalls of buying the wrong light. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-led-tip-20-make-sure-you-understand-light-distribution
Businesses are always looking to cut costs where possible. One thing
that presents money-saving opportunities is LED technology. Many
companies that transition from old lighting technologies to LED
technology save money and boost their revenues to some extent (because
proper lighting improves employee productivity).
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-3-great-reasons-to-consider-retrofits-for-your-existing-fixtures
One of the best decisions a company can ever make is to upgrade to LED technology. Most businesses, in an effort to cut costs, choose retrofitting over a full redesign. Others do so in order to maintain the aesthetic appearance. Without a doubt, LED Fixture Retrofits offer a myriad of benefits. However, from time to time, questions arise regarding their safety. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-how-to-identify-safe-retrofits-before-you-purchase
In todays world, facility managers and business owners have to do more
with less. Shrinking budgets, expanding regulations and increased
consumer demand require outdoor lighting systems that are not only cost
effective and maintenance free, but deliver a safe, secure and inviting
environment. A lighting strategy that incorporates efficient led
lighting with onboard controls helps customers realize significant
advantage and saving over lights only options. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-outdoor-lighting-controls-guide
Truth be told, nothing can impact a business significantly the way a lighting system can. But since it does its best work out of the public eye, we only realize its importance when the lighting is subpar, when bulbs stop working, or when there are complaints. Companies thinking of replacing their lighting systems usually look to LED lighting but are often torn between retrofitting and a full redesign.So, what’s the difference between the two? This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-4-amazing-benefits-of-retrofitting-your-existing-fixtures
Many warehouse owners and facility managers are seeking to reduce energy consumption or are in need of long overdue updates in their aging facilities. LED lighting present a number of great reasons to upgrade, including but not limited to significant energy savings and ease of use.
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-top-4-reasons-to-convert-your-warehouse-to-led
Power Plant Generation Lighting is unique because of the problems associated with this environment. In facilities where steam is generated, heat is a byproduct and can’t be avoided. We have years of experience working in these environments so here is our list of the top 3 problems and solutions.
This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-solving-3-problems-for-power-generation-facilities
Explosion Proof lights have to be good, none more so than a Class 1 Div 1 Light. In today’s market, its hard to find this type of light and not pay a kings ransom. Read this, we think you will like what we have to offer. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-specialty-lighting-class-1-div-1-lights
We all know LED saves money. Saving 70% of more is not uncommon, if you pay attention to the efficiency of the LED lights you are using. But here is something you shouldn’t overlook. These simple low cost add-ons will significantly increase you savings, and dramatically shorten your payback. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-2-must-have-controls-for-parking-lights
The 1000W HID bulb is probably one of the most common HID lights on the market today. You can find them both indoors and outdoors, in large factories, gyms, sports arenas, as area lighting and security lighting. Along with their associated ballasts, these lights consume around 1150 Watts every time they are turned on. Want to learn how to save 75% or more? This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-retrofitting-1000w-hid
One of the problems with any lighting installation in the office is to choose the right color temperature. 3000K? 4000K? 4500K? Well, what if you don’t have to decide and can have 1 panel that can do any color between 3000K and 5000K, and can be changed at any time? This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-specialty-lighting-color-adjustable-led-panels
This is probably the most common HID light on the market, the 400W HID (MetalHalide or HPS) bulb. It’s not hard to find this fixture in a commercial or industrial facility. Along with their associated ballasts, these lights consume around 455 Watts every time they are turned on. Want to learn how to save 75% or more? This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-retrofitting-400w-hid
Warehouses typically have 2 definable areas: open spaces and rack shelving aisles. When dealing specifically about rack shelf aisles, there are special LED Warehouse Lights that are designed specifically for these areas. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-specialty-lighting-for-warehouse-rack-aisles
It’s not hard to find a fixture in a commercial or industrial facility that has a 250 HID light, either MetalHalide or HPS. The problem is these lights consume way too much energy, and are not designed to work with motion sensors. They go on, they go off. And that’s it. Here’s how you can convert them to LED. This article was first posted on https://www.myledlightingguide.com/blog-retrofitting-250w-hid
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LED Light is efficient. Far more efficient than the HID, fluorescent or incandescent bulbs they replace. But not all energy LED consumes is converted to light. Some of the energy is used to create heat. And while LED is far more efficient than the other light sources at producing light and very little heat, the heat it produces must be removed.
Removing the heat from the LEDs extends the life of the product. Think of an LED light installed inside a cooler or freezer area. The ambient air is cold. The entire air source of the cooler area acts as a heat sink, keeping the LEDs performing extremely well and efficient for years. And while it is impractical to only install LEDs inside a cool environment, having a heat sink to remove this heat is the next best thing.
So what is active cooling? Typically, this means fan. This type of cooling has been used for decades on other types of electronics: computers, laptops, TV’s and amplifiers. Fan’s blow a steady stream of air onto a a heat sink and transfers the air away. If inside an enclosed fixture, this hot air is then moved to the fixture itself, thus acting as a secondary larger heat sink. It creates airflow inside the enclosed fixture, creating turbulence over the face of the LED’s, removing any static heat that might built up that might build up without the present airflow.
Within the LED industry, there had been a debate on whether fans are good or not. Some who think they are bad claim they are a point of failure. And over the years, we have heard these types of arguments as well. However, the truth of the matter are fans are extremely robust and rarely fails. MyLEDLightingGuide has sold 1000’s of active fan retrofit kits over the past 10 years, and have maybe seen 2 failures. In both cases, water intrusion into the fixture caused the fans to fail.
The benefit to an active fan solution is the physical size of the heat sink required is significantly smaller. So retrofitting an existing fixture, replacing the bulb and ballast with a LED Retrofit Kit, makes sense. Without the active fan, the heat sink would be too large to fit into the existing fixture.
So why not use a fan all the time? Well, you don’t need to. Lighting designers can integrate the heat-sink as the fixture housing, combining both form with function. Take our LED UFO High Bays. The UFO part of the fixture is the heat sink. It is significantly large enough to absorb the heat produced by the LEDs, and radiate the heat away from the fixture. These types of fixtures are typically not installed inside other fixtures, so it can utilize what ever available air flow is available to help remove air that is available. Outdoors, there are available breezes that can effectively remove heat. So creating a stylish fixture that radiates heat away is practical and economical. Engineers can easily design the right size heat sink to accommodate the removal of heat for the fixture they are designing.
Neither. They are both good. Both are perfect for the solution they were designed to solve. Fans are extremely robust. So you should not let the fan, if a retrofit is your best option, be the deciding factor on moving forward with either an active cooling or passive cooling solution.
Reposted from MyLEDLightingGuide Blog
Where do you start? What are the options? Should you consider a retrofit kit or use a 360 degree post top screw in bulb? Here are some of the things you should consider before you purchase…
Old 400W HID (Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium) systems are installed almost everywhere in commercial and industrial applications. You see them in parking fixtures, flood lights, wall packs, cobra heads and for lighting indoor spaces like factories, warehouses and gymnasiums. Energy costs are rising, so how can you take advantage of converting to LED?
Well there are options available for you. What works for you is totally dependent on your fixtures and your goals. You can expect at least 50% energy savings. You should expect more. Add controls, and you can achieve up to 90%. So
Some options require the use of a licensed electrician. Other options allow you to screw in a bulb into the existing socket. But this should not be the determining factor in your decision.
Typically, you have 3 options to convert from HID over to LED
How much does it cost?
Not as much as you think. Prices have come down a lot over the past few years. Rebates may be available to help offset the purchase price. Rebates can be obtained for both new fixtures and retrofit options. Once we understand your goals and needs, we can help you find the best option including looking for rebates.
HID
HID is a relatively old technology, consisting of several bulb types that include low pressure sodium, high pressure sodium, mercury vapor and high pressure sodium.
When you convert from HID to LED, you have to take into account ‘ballast draw’ of the HID bulb. What this is is the amount of energy the ballast consumes to power the bulb. It can add as much as 15% to the entire draw of the bulb. So a 400W HID bulb actually consumes about 460W of energy. A great deal of the energy consumed actually produces heat.
HID bulbs are omni-directional. They distribute light in every direction. It requires a reflector to “gather” all the light and redirect it to the ground.
400W HID bulbs are commonly found in fixtures not mounted higher than 30 ft above the ground. Anything higher than that, we typically find 1000W HID (or the equivalent in LED)
LED
Never buy a LED bulb based on watts to replace HID. Determine the amount of lumens you need, and get the most efficient LED bulb / fixture that produces that amount of lumens. Here are some products you can use to retrofit or replace a 400W HID fixture:
LED does not generate a lot of heat. It does generate some, the lights can get warm, but it is significantly less them HID lights. That is one of the reasons LED is more efficient, it uses the energy to produce light instead of heat.
LED Light is directional. The light goes where its needed. You need less LED Lumens to replace a 400W HID light that requires a reflector to gather the lumens and direct them where they need to go. Reflected light is less efficient than directional light.
Step 1: Do you have a 400W HID Fixture/Bulb?
These bulbs are rather big and there are 2 sizes. One is larger than the other. The smaller of the two is 8-9" long, the larger bulb is about 11-12 inches long. Somewhere on the bulb, you should see the bulbs identification markings, and it should say 400 (to identify 400 watts HID)
Step 2: Determine the voltage
Not that this is terribly important at this point, but you need to order your solution with the right voltage. LED comes in basically 2 driver options, 100-277V and 277-480V. They are auto-switching, so it will figure out what voltage you have and switch the first time it is used. But, make sure you have the right range selected or you will toast your driver.
Step 3: What is Your Goal?
A. Is it Energy Savings?
Reduction in energy spend up to 75% is a compelling reason to convert from 400W Metal Halide to LED. That should significantly reduce your utility bill each month.
B. Reduction in Maintenance Costs?
LED’s life span is much longer than HID. Large commercial facilities can spend a lot of time and money. If you are not changing bulbs, you are saving money.
C. Increase / Decrease in light levels (brightness)
Maybe your area is under lit? Over lit? Photometric reports done before you lets you adjust the light so there is no guess work. You simply use the software to help you decide what the best outcome for your area is.
Step 4: What Type of HID Fixture do you Have?
For the most part, our LED Retrofit Kits designed to replace a 400W Metal Halide or HPS bulb will fit into the space that is provided. If you use one of our directional kits, you can make even more space by removing the reflector. Besides creating more installation space, it has 2 other side benefits.
For the most part, the standard retrofit kit should be chosen over a post top bulb except in acorn style post top fixtures where a 360 degree pattern is required.
Step 5: Make Your Selection
Unlike some online companies, we offer both new and retrofit solutions, so we are not biased in one solution over another. Many times we have heard some customers call us and tell us 'Company A’ claims the only solution is a new fixture. And when you go to their site, that’s all they have. Naturally, they are going to recommend what they have over what they don’t. In our case, there are many factors that you need to consider to come up with the best solution for you.
Reposted from MyLEDLightingGuide Blog
