Increasingly businesses are being urged to go green in so many different ways. It makes sense. Going green usually saves someone, somewhere, something. But by becoming more environmentally aware with lighting, it actually saves everyone something - resources, energy, maintenance and, of course - money. A complete win win.
Of course, LED investment requires an initial outlay. Bulbs are more expensive - we know that from our domestic experience so in a commercial situation, investing in new bulbs and often fittings does incur cost. But when you compare the longer term benefits it becomes an easy decision to make.
By making the switch to LED, you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and lower your energy bills but what other benefits does it bring?
- Dimming LEDs uses less energy - unlike old-fashioned incandescents which use the same amount of energy, no matter what brightness they are set to
- Lifespan - an LED is infinitely better value in terms of lifespan, sometimes lasting 15-20 years
- Incentives - there are always incentives and reliefs available for switching to a greener energy source
- Less maintenance - as there is very little to go wrong with an LED and because they are in situ for so long, the need for maintenance is seriously reduced
- Less packaging and waste - again, see above - as there are fewer bulbs being changed, delivered, posted, installed ad replaced, there is less general wastage
- The cost of running a halogen bulb is approx £11 per year compared with an LED costing £2 per year (and compare an average 1-2 year halogen lifespan with an LED that lasts 15-20 years with the same usage)
The Climate Group has launched several campaigns to raise awareness of these issues within the business sector. They are in good company, Philips is also right there calling for LED street lighting, along with the legendary actor, politician and campaigner Arnold Schwarzenegger. They claim it is the "lowest hanging fruit" in terms of technology and easy pickings for governments around the world to make their cities greener and more efficient.
Of course with the halogen ban, with halogen lights being removed from sale in Autumn 2018, LED lights will be forced upon us sooner rather than later. This follows the phased removal of incandescents that began in 2009. With all the evidence we have in favour of LED, it is hard to dispute the reasons why.
If your business is still operating on the dark side, talk to us about switching to LED - we can help with planning, phasing in and implementing it on your behalf.
(Sources: The Guardian 11 Aug 2018; The Climate Group 2015)