Because there are so many industrial lighting alternatives that exist, it can be difficult to nail down the perfect fit for a given situation. There are so many things that you should be sure you take into account before you make a decision based on your lighting options. This article will highlight one possible option, LEDs, in comparison with a number of other popular industrial lighting alternatives.
The most popular alternatives for industrial lighting today include fluorescent lighting, halogen lighting, high intensity discharge (HID), and light emitting diode (LED). Every one of these lighting options has advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to explore these thoroughly in making a decision.
Fluorescent lighting would be the lighting fixtures that you often see in schools and businesses. These can be fairly efficient, but they are quick to age and the labor costs in replacing them can add up in a hurry. They also do not put out the steadiest of light due to their tendency to flicker.
Halogen lighting supplies vivid white light and is a good solution for outdoor use including parking lot or parking garage lighting. It is a quick fix to most of the lighting problems that are seen with fluorescent light bulbs, but the drawback is that it carries a significant fire hazard.
HID lighting is frequently seen in public places including warehouses or gyms. Unfortunately, HID is far from energy efficient. They require more energy and have shorter lives so have a very high maintenance cost.
Now that we have an idea of these alternatives, we can take a look at how LED lighting can be a great solution. LED light bulbs are very energy efficient because they use hardly any electricity. This also allows them to last much longer that most other lighting options. They also come in very small sizes, making them ideal for small or hard to reach locations. In addition, LEDs are available in many colors as well as infrared and ultraviolet. And finally, they are highly cost effective. The savings in labor costs alone can make LEDs nearly pay for themselves.
The most important things to remember relate to the energy efficiency, labor and energy cost, and the output of your different lighting options. Hopefully this article gave you a bit of a clearer idea of the pros and cons of lighting alternatives so that you will now be able to make a better informed decision when it comes to your industrial lighting solutions.
