Facilities with metal halides
If the space currently has metal halides, LEDs will likely improve the productivity, quality, and even moral—employees just feel better in a well-lit facility. Since they essentially use half the energy of metal halides, owners immediately see the impact on the bottom line.
High-volume production lines
Although the cost of new LED fixtures for entire facilities can sometimes be prohibitive, their incredible longevity makes it worthwhile to install them over high-volume production and assembly areas, where an interruption in workflow to replace bulbs can be costly. Some manufacturers are happy to work around production schedules, installing fixtures during planned shutdowns (e.g. automotive plants) or on weekends, thereby keeping
downtime to an absolute minimum.
Warehouses and distribution centres
Light from LEDs can be directed to go precisely where needed, unlike metal halide and fluorescent bulbs. Typically, an LED beam is between 110 and 150 degrees. Some can be adjusted to as narrow as 15 degrees to push light through aisles between high warehouse shelves. Occupancy sensors can be used on most light sources. When paired with LEDs, they have the potential to save even more energy, since warehouse aisles are often used infrequently.
Cold-storage facilities
LEDs do not appear dimmer below freezing—in fact, they thrive in cold environments. Freezers are generally occupied for only a few minutes at a time. This means traditional lights are either turned off and on rapidly as needed, or they are simply left on while the freezer is closed, creating unwanted heat and energy waste. LEDs emit very little heat, instantly come to full brightness, and do not degrade by frequent switching on and off. This makes them especially suitable for cold-storage facilities, particularly when combined with occupancy sensors.
Emergency services
Many emergency departments with metal-halide fixtures simply leave them on, knowing the lights can take up to 20 minutes to warm up. LEDs are more cost-effective. Fire departments, air support, and other first-responders appreciate LED’s ability to instantly illuminate a space with bright light. The better light also makes safety inspections and maintenance quicker and easier.
Places where good visibility is crucial
Clear, bright, daylight-simulating light is invaluable when matching paint colours and seeing imperfections in whatever is being worked on, whether it is a car or bricks for a residential project. The direct light produced by LEDs is uniquely beneficial for precise, sight-sensitive tasks such as welding and joinery, or even reading.
| CHANGING THE LIGHTS FOR THOSE CHANGING THE OIL |
 Photos courtesy Mr. Lube 
Francois Trudel’s Ottawa-area Mr. Lube store had six metal-halide fixtures above the three service bays, and he was tired of how dirty they got, the heat they created—especially in summer—and of dragging ladders out to replace burnt-out bulbs. In 2016, he replaced the metal halides with six 20,000-lumen LED fixtures. Not only are the new lights “less harsh, less hot, and so much brighter, especially at night,” but Trudel also estimates he saves close to $200 on his monthly utility bills. |
