As a maintenance manager, you have several factors to consider when purchasing LED lighting.

LED lights are known for their energy efficiency and can result in significant energy savings even when replacing old LED products. The energy efficiency of LED’s is measured in lumens per watt (lm/W), and a higher value indicates a more energy-efficient product. For example, we now have models that provide 160 lumens per watt, compared to 5 years ago where we sold 80 or 100 lumens per watt. Already you can see the potential to save on expensive energy even when replacing LED’s with LED’s.

When purchasing LED lights, it’s important to look for products that are certified by reputable organizations and they state their product performance, burn hours and standards, ensuring that you get a high-quality product that will perform as advertised.

As mentioned earlier, the amount of light output per unit of energy used is measured in lumens per watt. When evaluating different models, look for products with a high lumens per watt value, as this will indicate that the lights are energy-efficient, are using modern chip sets and will provide bright and consistent light output LM70 and LM80 figures should be compared.

The CRI is a measure of how well a light source reproduces the colours of objects compared to natural light. Models with a high CRI (above 80) are recommended, as they will provide a good colour reproduction. For example, if you are a retailer or museum or slaughter house then this CRI becomes even more critical and CRI90 and CRI95 should be demanded. There are other colour adjusted light fittings to enhance meat and bakery products to help with the eye appeal and retailing which makes them ideal for retail lighting.

LED’s have a longer lifespan compared to a traditional lighting, which results in reduced maintenance costs and less frequent replacements. Look out for L70 figures – some products are rated to 30,000 hours (typical cheap wholesale type fitting) to 50,000 hours (good commercial product to 100,000 hours or 120,000 hours) from the professional lighting producers.
Consider a 24/7 office such as a distribution hub, the lights here will work more than 4 times harder than the lights in a 9 to 5 office building, so those burn hour figures are important. When purchasing, make sure to look for products with a long lifespan. 100,000 hours or more.

When purchasing new lights, it’s important to consider whether they are compatible with your existing electrical systems, such as dimming systems and control systems. Some models may require special dimmers or controls, so make sure to check the compatibility before making a purchase to avoid having to make additional investments in new equipment.

Make sure to check the warranty offered by the manufacturer you are considering. A good warranty will provide peace of mind and protection against defects or malfunctions. Look for warranties that offer high burn hours, not just “5 years” as some quote 5 years but only in a 9 to 5 office situation – that’s 10,000 hours. not much good to you in that distribution hub when the lights start to fail in year 2 and 3. You need to ensure a long burn hour L70 figures and a good coverage period from robust suppliers.

LED models can be more expensive initially compared to traditional lighting, but the long-term energy savings and reduced maintenance costs makes them a more cost-effective solution in the long run. When evaluating, consider your budget and look for products that provide good whole life value and thus real value for your money, not just price.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision when purchasing LED lights and ensure that they meet your needs and expectations at the best value.

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