Rebate programs for commercial lighting are off to a strong start in 2021. After a somewhat rough year because of COVID-19 in 2020, utilities are ramping back up their offerings. This could be a huge savings opportunity for your facility.
Practical advice on commercial lighting from LED retrofits to lighting design.
Scroll down for our latest posts.
Topics: LED, Lighting rebates, Energy efficiency
A state by state look at light bulb bans [Interactive map]
Yes, it’s true. Some light bulbs and lighting products are considered illegal in certain states.
Topics: LED, Code enforcement, Incandescent lighting
Linear LED tubes have become more competitive over the years, and with that comes more options than ever. So, if you’re operating with discontinued T12 fluorescent tubes, you’re probably beginning to weigh the options for a retrofit.
But in the sea of choices, how do you know what the right product is and where to buy it? Now there's an improved option on the market you may want to consider.
Topics: LED, Parking Garage Lighting, T12, Fluorescent light, Commercial office lighting
T12 fluorescent tubes are hard to come by these days, but that's not to say they've disappeared entirely.
The tubes began to be phased out in mid-2012, which we wrote about at length in our post, "The phase out of T12s: Everything you need to know about discontinued tubes."
But if you still have T12s in your sockets and you're looking to save money on lighting in the next year, there are a
Topics: LED, Energy efficiency, Parking Garage Lighting, T12, Fluorescent light, Commercial office lighting
Converting T12s to LED: Here are your replacement options
Can you actually retrofit T12 to LED without changing out the ballast?
Actually, yes. But before you make a decision, there are other LED solutions to consider for a high-efficiency lighting option for existing T12s.
Topics: LED, T12, Fluorescent light
Color consistency is a critical issue that has surfaced with the popularity of LED lighting.
How do you know that the color of your lighting will be consistent from one product to another?
Topics: Lighting design, LED, Lighting maintenance, CRI, Color temperature
Can I use fewer lighting fixtures when upgrading to LED?
Most of the time an LED upgrade involves unscrewing old light bulbs and screwing in new, energy-saving options in their place. Shocker. But if you’re looking to truly optimize your lighting for the greatest efficiency, this may not be the best approach. And it might cost you more money.
Topics: Product Comparison, LED, Lighting technology
What's the difference between commercial grade and residential grade lighting products?
You can find a good deal on light bulbs at Home Depot and Walmart. Sometimes, customers bring that to our attention.
How do these stores sell at such low prices? Are they selling the same light bulbs as us? They are targeting a more residential customer, so are they selling residential grade lighting products?
Is there something different about a residential lamp when compared with a commercial one?
Usually, no – there's no difference or distinction, at least according to one of our top manufacturers. Though the products are packaged differently, their guts are almost always the same.
Topics: LED, FAQs, Manufacturer warranty, LED retrofit, Lighting as a service
If you live in California, you can say goodbye to some incandescent and halogen light bulbs.
The California Energy Commission banned the sale of inefficient light bulbs starting January 1, 2020.
Topics: LED, California Energy Code, Incandescent lighting
A rule of thumb for vetting new lighting products and manufacturers
If you’ve been considering LED lighting over the last few years, you’ve probably been approached by at least a few different manufacturers touting the superiority of their products. You’ve probably also noticed the explosion of new vendors and products on the market. It’s enough to make your head spin.
But some big questions still loom over the LED decision-making process. How do you commit to a product and avoid the anxiety that something better is going to come out in two months? How do you weed through the onslaught of new technologies, vendors, and options in the lighting industry?
Topics: Product Comparison, LED