While most of us don’t realize it, lighting is essential to every business and facility. It makes up about 35% of electricity used in commercial buildings and, if not done well, can create excess heat and large electric bills.
Retrofitting existing light sources, fixtures, and controls can not only improve the ambiance of a room and impact the size of the electrical and HVAC systems needed, but it can reduce costs by 40-60%. However, asking the right questions is crucial to ensuring you get what you need.
How Many Lumens are Necessary?
When looking to hire a lighting consultant, one of the first questions you should ask is how many lumens are necessary to match your current light situation. If you are happy with your lights, but are solely looking to switch them out for a more efficient system, this question is vital.
Lumens is the measurement used to determine brightness. With too many lumens, or lights that are too bright, headaches could occur. While too few lumens could leave your building in the dark. If the contractor or consultant is not sure what lumens are, or can’t answer this question, it is time to find a new expert.
What’s the Temperature of the New Lighting?
While this may seem like an odd question, temperature as it refers to lighting actually determines color. Again, this is something that you may want to match with your current system. Low color temperatures are warmer and produce an orange/red color and higher temperatures are cooler, giving off a blue/white appearance.
This is also an important question because light affects productivity. Warm lighting should be used for more intimate settings, like break rooms, to create a sense of comfort and relaxation. On the other hand, cool lights are great in work environments to promote alertness, mood, and productivity. It also lowers melatonin and therefore fatigue.
How Do the Lights Work?
With this question, it’s not about knowing the ins and outs of the system, it’s more about how to find the right system for you. Not all LED lights are controlled the same way and they may vary depending on the bulb, manufacturer, fixture and even application. Most systems will have a simple on and off switch, but those with a dimmer or those attached to motion and daylight systems may look different.
Furthermore, it’s important to make sure that the system being recommended will work with what you have in your building and that you are getting the features you desire. Not all LED lights are considered “smart,” so exploring all of your options is extremely beneficial.
What Does Installation Look Like?
If your consultant has made it through the first three questions, another important one to ask is who will do the installation and how will it be done. Depending on your hours of operation, you know the best time for a contractor to come in. Make sure that he is willing to work on your schedule so as to not affect your business.
Also, be sure to clearly state expectations and make sure these are agreed upon before beginning the project. If the electricity needs turned off, it should be at a time that is convenient for you and not just for your consultant.
For Quality Lighting Consultations, Call Now!
If you’ve been interested in updating the lighting in your building or office space to reduce energy and save money, now is the time! With the team at E3Power, our team of qualified professionals will walk you through every step, answering your questions, and ensuring you get the best product for your needs. So call now and let us show you the difference our team can make!
