OK. You need to cut back on energy usage for any of several reasons (cost savings must be realized, new regulations, general upkeep). Switching to LED lights is one of the “low hanging fruits” of energy efficiency. LED bulbs and tubes are fantastic in energy efficiency and longevity with a payback often of two years or less and cost savings lasting many more years, with a decrease in O&M, too. However, which LEDs to install, how, and where are critical questions to determine the success of your upgrade project.

Let’s assume that funds are not there to replace all lights, but only some. Which fixtures should be replaced to get the greatest gain? The best payback will occur when LEDs replace less efficient types of lighting, such as halogen and incandescents bulbs, where LEDs can reduce electric usage by over 75%. Electric use reduction of compact fluorescents or T8/T12 tubes is solid, but not as large as for the others. If performance or O&M is important, then you may wish to prioritize upgrading to LEDs in critical or in hard-to-reach areas, such as for security or in parking lots or on high ceilings or outdoors. LEDs last longer than other types, meaning less frequent replacements would be needed, including in cold, rain/snow, or other uncomfortable conditions.

It is critical to consider your current fixtures and whether they are compatible with LED lights. An old, ineffective ballast can reduce the electric savings of LEDs and potentially damage the new LEDs, endangering their warranty. While it will cost more upfront, it may be in your financial and mental interest to remove old ballasts and retrofit the fixtures or purchase all new fixtures to accommodate and get the best out of new LEDs.

Another consideration of where to prioritize LEDs is the area of use. Incandescents, CFLs, fluorescents, etc. generate significant heat, necessitating them to be placed in glass. LED bulbs, because they generate much less heat, can and typically are encased in shatterproof plastic, making them the better choice for places where light fixtures may be hit, such as in schools and gyms.

I have just given you some tips on where you may wish to prioritize if you cannot change all of your lights to LEDs at once. However, I hope you can initiate a complete upgrade to LEDs to get the maximum financial and operational benefits sooner. One more consideration to implement the entire change at once is incentives. In many parts of the country, the local utility or state offers incentives to re-pay you part of the upfront cost of the LED and fixture upgrade. However, the benefits of switching to LEDs illustrated here, particularly the cost savings, and the fact that the cost of LEDs has been coming down has gotten some agencies to wonder whether incentives are necessary any more. LEDs is such a good deal even without incentives. It is thought that more and more utilities and government entities will reduce and potentially eliminate such incentives and rebates in the next couple of years. Thus, now is the time to take advantage to get the greatest return from an upgrade to LED lights.

CCES has the experts and experience to assess your facility and determine how to maximize the financial and operational benefits of switching to LEDs for your specific facility and needs. Reduce energy costs significantly and improve productivity, too. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.