With the numerous advantages LED tube lighting has over the old fluorescent technology, there is no reason why the management of a commercial facility using fluorescent lighting would not want to convert to LEDs, and convert as soon as possible. The key advantages for converting fluorescent lighting to LED are listed below, and then we’ll expand on a few of them.
Advantages of Converting Fluorescent Lighting to LED
- LEDs consume less than half the power a fluorescent lamp uses, lowering electricity costs.
- LEDs don’t become dimmer as time goes on.
- LEDs last more than ten years, reducing the cost of maintenance and replacement.
- No flicker, no headaches, more comfort.
- Better color for human vision in office and manufacturing environments.
- No buzzing noises.
- Safety—LED tubes are not made of glass and do not break upon installation or impact.
- LEDs are stable at temperature extremes, while fluorescents lose efficiency and output.
- LEDs do not contain mercury. Fluorescent tubes can endanger the environment.
Fluorescent versus LED Lighting Lifecycle Costs
Transitioning from Fluorescent lighting to LED lighting not only reduces the consumption of electricity, it also almost eliminates lighting maintenance completely.
Electrical Savings
A typical fluorescent fixture with three T8 32 watt fluorescent tubes consumes 96 watts plus 8 watts by the ballast for a total of 104 watts. Assuming the fixture is on 12 hours per day seven (7) days a week that fixture will consume 419 kWh per year, at $0.10 per kWh, this fixture will cost $25.14 to run each year. Per fixture! By retrofitting this same fixture with two (2) LED tubes, (providing the same or better lighting) the yearly kWh consumption is 157, for a yearly cost of $9.42. This translates into a savings of $15.72 or 62.5% savings, using LED lighting versus traditional fluorescent lighting. Therefore, over the thirteen (13) year life of the LED fixture the total kWh savings in monetary value is $204. Per fixture!
Maintenance and Labor Costs
The difference in maintenance costs is even greater. LED lighting has virtually no required maintenance for the life of the tube which is more than 10 years assuming that the light is on as in the example above 12 hours/day, 365 days/year). During the same period, each T8 32 will need to be replaced approximately every eighteen 18 months or 7 to 8 times in 12 years.
Your labor costs to change lightbulbs will depend on several factors including:
- How many light fixtures you have in your facility
- How difficult the fixtures are to access (do you need a step-stool, a ladder, or some larger piece of equipment?)
- How readily available are the actual light bulbs (will you have to pay employees to make frequent trips to a distant hardware or lighting store to get more bulbs?)
Considering the per-hour cost of employees and maintenance personnel, your labor savings alone may be the most compelling reason to switch to LED lighting.
Color Rendering
The first thing you’ll notice when your LED lamps are installed is the clarity of your vision, whether you are reading or performing assembly or inspection tasks. The color of LED lamps are closer to sunlight than fluorescents. They also will not be flickering or buzzing. LED lighting will improve your employees’ and company’s focus, productivity and overall health and wellness.
Installation
It’s never been easier to switch to LED tube lighting. If your fixtures are very old, it is possible they may need to be replaced. However, some LED tubes require no modification of your existing fixtures if they are in good shape, and some require a simple modification to bypass the ballast.
After learning about your facility, OHM’s electricians can help offer the best solution for your needs. Contact OHM today to get started.