Managers of office and manufacturing facilities are always looking for cost-efficient investments to help their spaces be more productive and more enjoyable places to work.
Modern LED lighting and controls elevate experience, save energy
LED lights are energy efficient, flexible, and improve the workspace experience
Provided By Xcel Energy
April 17, 2024 at 6:15PM
This is especially true as new flexible work schedules mean office spaces are used differently, as competition for workers means employee satisfaction is top of mind, and as manufacturers seek to repurpose their facilities to satisfy growing demand.
Operational efficiency and profitability are top of mind for businesses right now. And as reducing daylight becomes a reality in our fall and winter months, LED lighting upgrades are a wise option for several reasons.
A proven winner for efficiency and taking on the “winter blues”
Light emitting diode (or LED) lighting is commonly the first gateway upgrade to energy efficiency for businesses. That’s because an LED retrofit is relatively simple to install, offers proven performance, and the savings can be significant, providing a quick payback — plus, rebates and other incentives are plentiful.
In addition, LED lighting can be tuned to provide more of the full light spectrum. This may be helpful* in combatting Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which affects 20% of Americans, including 70-80% of women. It’s a sometimes-overlooked benefit of LED lighting and a way to help employees have a better experience on the job.
Even for those without SAD, LED lighting can improve the workplace experience. LED lighting offers an array of specialized solutions to optimize lighting for specific business needs. Need warmer settings for a restaurant or brighter applications for retail or a factory floor? LEDs offer a vast range of options unavailable with conventional fluorescent lighting.
Other lighting advantages worth exploring
As businesses consider an LED lighting upgrade, they should be sure to consider add-ons and features that can be combined with new LED lighting to gain even greater efficiency.
- Make needed light level adjustments. The human eye does not notice light level reductions of 20-30% - which can save on electric use.
- Add occupancy sensing devices where possible. These automatically reduce unneeded electric use.
- Gain greater control. Look at new wireless systems for local applications and network lighting controls for larger structures.
- Adjust lighting as daylight diminishes. Outside lighting becomes more critical for safety and security in the fall and winter.
- Maximize each workspace. Explore task tuning to help workers maximize their productivity.
The total value of LED lighting upgrades adds up
When considering an LED lighting project, be sure to factor in all the economic advantages.
- Rebates: Rebates can help offset the initial cost of a lighting upgrade project. Through November 15, 2022, Xcel Energy is offering limited time bonus rebates: double rebates on linear tubes and 25% bonus LED rebates on many LED lamps and fixtures.
- Return on investment (ROI): Monthly energy savings will reduce the payback over time of your total project. Lighting projects typically payback in 3 years or less. Ask you contractor to provide an estimate of the payback on your upgrades.
- Reduced maintenance: The longevity of LEDs means lower long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
LED in action: Hospital retrofits 1920′s structure and saves
Nearly 100 years old, a landmark 8-story building needed a $250,000 lighting upgrade. The hospital worked with Xcel Energy to receive $70,000 in rebates and saw 2 million kilowatt hours in energy savings, amounting to $187,200 in annual cost savings. The payback for the project: A mere 18 months!
A new age of LED enlightenment
LED technology has been with us for over 60 years, but is still evolving. And that’s good news for businesses that want to enhance employee workplace performance, customer experience, energy efficiency and bottom-line savings. Learn more about maximizing LED lighting for your facility or business. Ready to get started with an LED retrofit? Talk to a Business Solutions advisor at 855-839-8862.
Visit bizenergyhq.startribune.com to view more tips from Xcel Energy and discover how your business can get started saving money and energy today!