Are you thinking about getting new lighting for your warehouse or storage facility? In our latest blog we look at LED lighting in more detail and explore why it’s beneficial for the environment.
What is LED lighting?
An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a type of electrical light source. It produces light when a current flows through its semi-conductor, compared to regular incandescent bulbs which produce light by creating heat.
When the technology was first introduced, LEDs tended to be higher in cost compared to other types of light source and also had limited light output. However, as they have developed it is now possible to purchase LED bulbs that produce as much light as 100W old-style bulbs, but are actually brighter and more energy efficient – which makes them better for the environment and your pocket too!
Why is LED lighting good for the environment?
There are many environmental advantages of LED lighting, compared to regular incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lighting:
- Energy efficiency: Did you know that LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than incandescent and fluorescent lights? Only 5% of the energy they produce is wasted as heat too, compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy to heat.
- Produces zero toxic elements: You might be surprised to learn that fluorescent strip lights contain toxic chemicals like mercury, which contaminate the environment when they are disposed of in landfill. In comparison, LEDs do not contain any toxic elements but do still need to be disposed of correctly.
- Requires less light fixtures: In comparison to other types of lighting, LEDs provide a better quality of light distribution and light focus in one direction, rather that light being emitted in all directions which can result in energy being wasted. As LEDs only illuminate specific areas, less lights will be needed to achieve the same level of brightness, which means less energy consumption and less impact on the environment in turn.
- Have a longer life span: As LED lights will last up to six times longer than fluorescent or incandescent lights, this reduces the need for frequent replacements and therefore the amount of lights potentially ending up in landfill as a result.
What else do I need to know?
Having an adequate about of illumination from your lighting is important for any storage facility, warehouse or logistics/distribution centre. This is because it will make it easier to identify and retrieve stored items, and also allow vehicles and workers to safely navigate through aisles which will minimise the risk of damage and accidents too.
It’s also important to consider the cost of electricity for your facility, as lighting can account for up to 80% of this. However, if you choose to invest in an energy saving warehouse lighting system such as LED lighting, your electricity costs can be reduced by around 50 to 90% – which we think you’ll agree is quite a large saving!
