Did you know that lighting commonly accounts for 20% to 50% of electricity usage for businesses? It is important to consider what that means for business owners who have to budget monthly bills and expenses. With LED lighting becoming more and more popular many people wonder if this type of lighting lives up to the hype and is worth switch to. Only a couple years ago LED bulbs were extremely expensive but as technology has advanced they have become more affordable to businesses around the world.
Lighting may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of coolers and refrigeration but it is an important aspect of these appliances. Running large appliances like this costs a great deal so it is vital to consider any area that money can be saved.
Let us break down the potential benefits of switching to LED lights for you so you can make an informed decision for your business:
LED lights usually cost more upfront than the standard fluorescent lights that are found in most walk in coolers and freezers. Fortunately, LED lights quickly pay for themselves due to lower energy bills. Not only do LED lights use much less energy than fluorescent bulbs but they also emit less heat. This helps when it comes to the cost of running your refrigerator or cooler. In this case, your appliance doesn’t need to work as hard in order to cancel out the heat coming from your fluorescent bulbs. LEDs are capable of lasting 50,000 hours in a cooler and up to 100,000 hours in a freezer. Better yet, they aren’t damaged by cold temperature of high humidity as some other bulbs are.
LED bulbs turn on instantly and do not take time to warm up to their full level of brightness. They come in several different tones so you can choose which will help to display your products best. In addition, LED bulbs do not contain dangerous mercury, which is a serious concern for those who own businesses where food is stored. With LED lights you do not have to worry about a bulb breaking and food products being exposed to and contaminated by mercury.
Many coolers and refrigerators have an upgrade option so that they can be purchased with LED lights. If you already own a cooler or refrigerator you may want to consider retrofitting your appliance with LED lights. The cost up front often pays for itself many times over given the long-term energy and lifespan benefits of LED bulbs.
Sources:
https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-upgrades/lighting
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/the-light-bulb-showdown-leds-vs-cfls-vs-incandescent-bulbs-whats-the-best-deal-now-and-in-the-future/