Most people know now that switching to more efficient lighting, such as LEDs, is one of the most effective strategies for saving energy costs. Facility managers are increasingly turning to LED lights for energy efficiency.

However, “going to Home Depot and picking up LEDs” is not the best way to upgrade buildings. It may be a stretch to change all your lights to LEDs at once (lack of available capital for upfront cost, lack of incentives to make it economically feasible). You may have certain goals and constraints. Thus, what can you do to optimize gains from a lighting upgrade in your facility? How should you prioritize an upgrade?

• Types and age of lights currently used. To best prioritize a partial upgrade, focus your replacement on the lights that are older and less efficient, such as T-12 fluorescents, halogen bulbs, and incandescents. Replacement of certain bulbs, such as newer T-8 fluorescents with new ballasts, represent a smaller efficiency gain. Of course, it is preferable to replace them all with LEDs, but if that is not possible, then replace older and more inefficient lighting types first.

• Your current fixtures’ hours of operation and usage. It is best to install LEDs to replace less efficient lights where high intensity light is needed, such as security lights. Also, determine which of your lights are on the greatest number of hours per year. Only bulbs that are on use electricity, so if lights are used in a situation where they are rarely on, such as a storage room or an electrical room, these could be candidates to be replaced later compared to lights used often. Or to look at it another way, prioritize replacement with LEDs of bulbs normally used often, such as warehouses, parking garages, hallways, elevators and entrances. Of course, for lights with these functions, it is also good to consider occupancy controls which automatically dim or shut off the lights during idle periods.

• Maintenance issues. Prioritize replacement of lights with LEDs in places that are difficult to reach or require significant time. LEDs last considerably longer than most fluorescents and incandescents. Therefore, LEDs will also free up your maintenance staff to perform other duties. It will also reduce rental fees of cherry pickers and result in fewer trips up and down ladders, reducing the risk of a costly accident. Longer lasting LEDs mean fewer bulbs to keep in storage, freeing up some space there, too.

• Prioritize based on operating condition needs. Unlike most other lights, LEDs do not flicker, reducing eyestrain for office workers. A recent study estimated that properly-designed (less glare) lights resulted in the average office worker having one less “coffee” break per day, improving productivity. Therefore, switching to LEDs in an office setting could be a higher priority. LEDs can also be found in any color on the CCT scale (2,000 to 7,000 Kelvin). For areas where precise work by workers is critical, such as lab or work benches and offices, an LED with a high CCT rating (5,500-6,000K) may be best.

Of course, it is preferable to maximize energy cost reductions by replacing all your lights with appropriate LEDs. However, because many large buildings and entities have financial and other constraints it may be necessary to prioritize where one replaces older lights with LEDs. Proper research into the areas of the building that are lit and their function and current lighting status will be helpful in prioritizing properly.

CCES can help you design and implement a lighting upgrade to maximize your financial benefits and improve productivity. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@ccesworld.com.