Lighting plays a key role in the productivity, safety and public perception of commercial spaces. It’s a delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality. If all factors aren’t aligned, it could impact the efficiency of your facility and, in turn, hurt your business. That’s why a strong lighting design is critical. Here are six common mistakes to avoid when designing your commercial lighting system:
Not Considering Your Facility’s Needs
Every commercial space has its own unique set of demands. For example, the lighting needs of an office will differ greatly from the lighting needs of an industrial warehouse. An office benefits from consistent, evenly distributed lighting to help with focus and productivity, while a factory requires bright lighting that illuminates large surface areas and can withstand harsh conditions. In the same respect, a parking garage requires bright lighting that’s suitable for various weather conditions. Whether you’re illuminating a retail space, a warehouse, a restaurant or an outdoor area, assessing your facility’s lighting needs is the first step.
Not Understanding Your Lighting Goals
Along with considering your facility’s lighting needs comes understanding your lighting goals. In a retail store, your lighting goals may be to showcase display items, while in a warehouse, your lighting goals may be to improve visibility and enhance safety. In an office setting, your goal may be to optimize task lighting, while in a restaurant, your goal may be more ambiance-focused. Regardless of the type of space you’re illuminating, understanding your lighting goals plays a critical role in choosing the right fixtures.
Choosing the Wrong Fixtures
Every light fixture serves a distinct purpose. While some are designed for use in indoor settings, others are designed for outdoor applications. Some fixtures highlight or bring attention to smaller areas, while others illuminate larger spaces. The fixtures you choose should complement your facility’s lighting needs and goals.
For example, panel lights to illuminate a parking lot or a construction site may not be the smartest choice, since most panel lights are designed for indoor use. For this type of lighting scenario, flood lights, which evenly illuminate larger, uncovered outdoor areas, are a more effective choice. In short, choosing the wrong fixtures is detrimental to your lighting system.
Ignoring the Specs
In commercial lighting, the specifications are what ensure that your lighting functions properly for your space. Even if you know the types of light fixtures and bulbs you’d like to use, ignoring the specs can harm the functionality of your lighting system. Specs give you insight into the color temperature, brightness and lifespan of your lighting products.
If you choose lighting with a color temperature of 3000K for an industrial space, you’ve made a mistake. This soft, warm lighting will not properly illuminate this type of space, and could lead to various safety and efficiency issues. Similarly, if you choose lighting with a color temperature of 5000K for a restaurant, it could harm your lighting goals of achieving a warm, ambient atmosphere. To avoid scenarios like these, check the specs to ensure lighting products will function properly for your space and lighting goals.
Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Although commercial lighting is built to last for long periods of consistent use, it’s not “set it and forget it.” Like any other piece of equipment, lighting requires regular cleaning and consistent maintenance to remain effective, and the performance of your overall system depends heavily on keeping up with both. This includes removing dust and dirt buildup, inspecting for damage and replacing dim or burnt-out bulbs when needed. Neglecting your lighting systems can lead to inefficient lighting and frequent costly repairs and replacements. Ensure your space remains consistently illuminated and lighting performs at its best with regular cleaning and maintenance.
Using Inefficient Bulbs
Efficiency and sustainability are at the heart of a successful business, and your lighting plays an important role in maintaining both. The energy efficiency of the bulbs you use is just as important as the fixtures in creating a functional and high-performing lighting system.
Due to the high heat they produce and their 1000-hour lifespan, traditional incandescent bulbs use far more energy and don’t last as long as more modern options. Fluorescent bulbs are more energy efficient than incandescent, producing slightly less heat and lasting longer at 10,000 hours. While these options have been among the most popular for decades, LED has taken the lead in performance, energy-efficiency and cost-effectiveness across the board. LEDs produce significantly less heat than both and last far longer, often up to 50,000 hours. It’s a long-term investment that saves you money on replacements and energy costs over the lifespan of your lighting.
Now that you know the most common commercial lighting mistakes to avoid, you’re prepared to create a functional lighting design for your commercial space. With over 30 years in the industry, Commercial LED understands the unique needs of businesses seeking to get the most out of their lighting systems. We partner with trusted suppliers to deliver reliable, high-performance LED lighting solutions at the best prices. Visit our website to learn more about our product line.
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