Lighting is incredibly important in commercial buildings — there is a reason why 22% of all electricity generated in the United States is used for lighting. Many commercial buildings require lighting throughout both the day and the night, which can potentially use up a lot of energy. These light need to be reliable, not only due to the fact that they are so necessary; they take on a lot of stress as well. This is particularly true for lights in hazardous locations, where they may be more likely to come into contact with obstructive materials, pressure, or extreme weather conditions.
This is why many business owners are turning to LED explosion proof lights for their commercial buildings or structures. LED explosion proof lights offer many advantages that can be used by school systems, government agencies, and municipalities. However, many are still unaware of the full extent of their benefits. With that being said, we’re exploring LED explosion proof lights — and how they can be used.
What Are LED Lights Versus Induction Lights?
LED lights are often compared to induction light, particularly when it comes to lighting commercial buildings. Induction lighting is an older form of lighting, first demonstrated by Nikola Tesla in the 1890s. Certainly, it’s a great form of lighting — as they don’t have electrodes or filaments, which are the parts of lightbulbs that tend to burn out quickly, induction lights can have “lifespans” of up to 100,000 hours. However, they often require ongoing maintenance and induction lighting lacks the research that’s been put into other forms of lighting.
On the other hand, much more research has been done into LED lights — including LED explosion proof lights. For that matter, this form of lighting often takes less maintenance than induction lighting. While both have their benefits, some view LED lights as somewhat more reliable, simply because more is known about them and their maintenance requirements.
How Long Do LED Lights Last?
Understandably, an important part of commercial lighting is durability. Whether LED lights are illuminating roadways or parking lots, they must be reliable and long-lasting, as they will be used for extended periods of time.
LED lights more than prove themselves against the competition in this regard. For example, HID headlights — often compared to LED lights — are brighter, but also tend to burn out 50% faster than LED headlights. Additionally, a fluorescent lightbulb and ballast will tend to last about 20,000 hours. On the other hand, an LED tube can be expected last about 50,000 hours. These lights are meant to last for an extended period of time — for example, parking lot lights are often required to be on for 24 hours a day. And in this case, the choice is clear: LED lighting.
Are LED Lights Energy Efficient?
Energy efficiency is a major concern when it comes to commercial lighting. It’s often crucial to keeping costs down, and commercial buildings or fixtures can often use energy up at a shocking rate. In commercial buildings, lighting can be responsible for 18% of energy usage — in contrast to residential buildings, where lighting accounts for just 11% of energy usage. Fortunately, LED explosion proof lights are effective in this regard as well.
In fact, LED lights use just 15% of the energy a standard halogen light uses, while providing 85% more light output. Today, LED lights are 6 to 7 times more energy efficient than typical incandescent lights. They also cut energy costs by over 80%. If energy efficiency is one of your priorities — and it should be — LED lights certainly separate themselves from the competition.
Again, there are many different forms of commercial lighting on the market. It’s important to choose the type of lighting that is right for your specific project. Just keep reliability, durability, and energy efficiency in mind — you’ll be sure to make the right choice.
