5 Benefits of LEDs for High Bay Lighting Applications

High bay lighting is widely used in large spaces with high ceilings — such as warehouses, factories and parking facilities — providing bright illumination to ensure visibility and safety. Fluorescent and metal halide lights have been widely used in high bay applications for decades. However, these technologies have issues with poor light quality and slow startup times. LEDs have become increasingly popular for high bay lighting due to their many benefits over conventional lighting technologies.

1. Lower Operating Costs

LEDs are much more energy efficient than conventional lighting technologies. This allows facilities to save money on energy costs while reducing their environmental footprint. In addition, LEDs have a longer lifespan than conventional lights, reducing maintenance and replacement costs, as well as downtime. This can be a significant advantage of high bay spaces, where maintenance and replacement can be time-consuming, costly and disruptive. Finally, LEDs do not generate significant amounts of heat like traditional units, and can reduce HVAC costs during warm seasons.

2. Improved Visibility

LEDs provide bright and uniform illumination, making them an ideal choice for high bay lighting applications. They also offer better color rendering, allowing workers to see their tasks more clearly and reducing the risk of mistakes or accidents.

3. Durability

LEDs are highly durable and resistant to vibration, shock and temperature fluctuations, making them ideal for use in harsh environments, such as factories and parking garages. Also, LEDs don't contain any of the fragile components commonly found in conventional lighting technologies, such as filaments or glass tubes. This reduces the risk of damage, potentially lowering maintenance and replacement costs.

4. Instant On

Unlike metal halide and fluorescent lamps that may take several minutes to warm up and reach full brightness, LEDs turn on instantly and provide full brightness immediately. With bright lights turning on instantly, your staff can get to work right away in a safer and more productive work environment.

5. Dimming and Control

LEDs are easily dimmable, allowing you to adjust light levels based on your needs or the availability of natural light. This gives you the opportunity to reduce energy consumption while also creating a more comfortable and productive work environment. The instant on capability makes LEDs a perfect fit for occupancy or motion controls, providing even more savings.

LEDs Provide Recipe for Savings at Food Distribution Warehouse

JFC International replaced fluorescent tube high bay fixtures at their food distribution warehouse in Hayward, California with high efficacy LEDs. Light levels in the facility were nearly doubled, increasing visibility and employee safety. The new fixtures also included motion-sensing controls. JFC reduced lighting energy costs by 69% for annual savings of more than $29,000.

From increased energy efficiency to improved control, LEDs offer many benefits over conventional lighting technologies for high bay applications. By upgrading to LEDs, your facility can save money, improve visibility and your overall indoor environment.