LED lighting can make parking facilities safer
Parking garages do not have to be dim and potentially unsafe places. Communities are now installing energy efficient lighting in parking lots and garages to increase safety and reduce costs at the same time. However, before starting a parking garage lighting project, there are several things to consider as this location is different from installing lights inside a building.
Since lights stay on for a long time in parking lots, it is important to consider the efficiency of the light bulbs. An energy hog for a lighting fixture may not be the best choice if a community is trying to reduce electricity costs. When considering a lighting upgrade to a parking lot, one should keep in mind the importance of the placement of the lights in order to create a well-lit environment and to avoid brightness issues including glare.
When installing newer lighting in a garage or lot, one must also think of how much light will be needed to ensure the area is properly lit. The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) works to bring the lighting community together by providing beneficial knowledge and information and also offers guidelines to businesses and municipalities looking to install energy efficient lighting.
For instance, cities and towns looking to reduce light pollution should install bulbs that will better direct light to a certain location, according to the IES. For this reason, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be a beneficial option for parking lot lighting, as the bulbs light specific areas more effectively than traditional bulbs.
LEDs are also considered to be one of the better options for lighting solutions in general. LEDs do not use as much energy as traditional light bulbs like high-vapor sodium lights. LEDs also have a longer lifespan and can last much longer than many lighting systems that use older lighting technology.
If you are considering an LED lighting upgrade to a parking lot or parking garage, contact energy efficiency consultants at Lumenistics.