5 Commonly Asked Questions About Commercial LED Lighting

4 min read - Manufacturing

New construction? Retrofit? No matter the project, when it’s time to install new LED lighting, customers in commercial and industrial segments are curious about what a project may require. 

We’ve gathered five commonly asked questions about commercial LED lighting — including one asking what sets Orion apart — that help set a foundation ahead of any project:

  1. What is the life expectancy of LED fixtures and the length of warranties?
  2. How much money can be saved with LED vs. fluorescent lights?
  3. Do all commercial LED fixtures use the same energy and give off the same amount of light?
  4. What can be done ahead of time to prepare for LED installation?
  5. Why Orion?

1. What is the Life Expectancy of LED Fixtures and the Length of Warranties?

The life expectancy of LED lights is generally between 50,000 to 100,000 hours, depending on the LED fixture’s construction. It’s important to select a manufacturer that uses well-established LED drivers, chips, and components to help increase the LED fixture’s longevity. The amount of use as well as environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures and wet conditions, also play a role in an LED’s lifespan.

Warranties differ between manufacturers, but Orion products offer warranties for up to 10 years.

More info: Learn About Our Warranty Options

2. How Much Money Can Be Saved with LED vs. Fluorescent Lights?

Orion customers who retrofit with new and efficient LED fixtures often see energy savings of about 50% — sometimes even in the 70% to 90% range with lighting controls. Those energy savings will translate to immediate cost savings post-installation, helping to offset the project time quickly and leaving you with more dollars in your pocket rather than higher energy bills.

Furthermore, rebates are available to use on new LED fixtures — and they can often cover most of the cost of the project! Take a look at our rebate finder for more information.

Generally, the older the original lighting system, the higher the energy savings when upgrading to LED. Controls and sensors, with their various usage and level settings, help commercial lighting fixtures push those savings even higher.

Learn why Great Southern Industries is expected to save nearly half a million dollars over 10 years thanks to new LED fixtures.

3. Do All Commercial LED Fixtures Use the Same Energy and Give Off the Same Amount of Light?

In short, no. LED fixtures aren’t one-size-fits-all, and different products require different energy levels and are manufactured to provide certain amounts of light for their environment. For example, to compare linear product lines, the HARRIS LED Quick Access Strip, Gen 1 offers up to 151 LPW (lumens per watt), while the HARRIS LED Strip Luminaire, Gen 2 offers up to 182 LPW.

On top of these differences, OSHA has strict light level standards, so every LED fixture is tailored to fit a specific purpose.

A high bay LED fixture in a warehouse, for example, will provide more vivid light than a softer LED fixture found in typical office spaces. Plus, further customization may be needed depending on what’s required for the project — something Orion offers to our customers based on project size.

4. What Can Be Done Ahead of Time to Prepare for LED Installation?

Anyone getting ready for an LED retrofit must first know what they need. If you’re considering an upgrade, note these questions:

  • Who will be responsible for the install? Will you need a turnkey supplier to handle the project? Start researching your options early.

  • What’s the timeline? Packaging and installation times should be considered if they’re a factor.

  • Are there any energy or cost reduction goals that must be hit? Knowing what those goals are will help ensure you find the best option for your space.

  • What light levels or other ratings must be adhered to? Different efficiency regulations and standards exist for specific lights, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Energy.

  • Are rebates available? Rebates can help offset the cost, and lights listed by the DLC (DesignLights Consortium) qualify.

  • What’s the facility size and the scope of the project? This allows for a more accurate price quote.

Did You Know? Orion offers a free audit of your facility.

Bottom line: It’s important to have a solid baseline of knowledge regarding this project to make for a smoother installation and continued support with little to no delays.

5. Why Orion?

We’ll break this down into several sub-questions.

What Sets Orion Apart?

At Orion, we offer turnkey solutions and source most of our top-tier components locally or regionally, which allows for short lead times in addition to premium lighting you can rely on. Most of our products are DLC-listed, so you can make use of rebates to help bring down the final cost.

We also believe in a sustainable future and promote green energy initiatives for customers that we follow ourselves. In 2021, for example, we recycled 92% of the materials used in our manufacturing process.

Learn More: Orion’s Commitment to Sustainability and Social Responsibility

What Are The Expected Lead Times?

Since a majority of our products are manufactured at our corporate headquarters in Wisconsin, our customers can expect best-in-class lead times of just a couple of weeks or less. Times can differ depending on the project, but we’re meeting or exceeding shipping expectations regularly.

Lighting companies that import all or most of their products? Their lead times may take months, creating project delays and added expenses.

What’s Orion’s Existing Customer Base?

We work with commercial and industrial customers of all sizes, and even public entities like schools or government establishments. These customers can all rely on Orion’s comprehensive solutions and continued support before, during, and after the installation process.

We encourage you to view our extensive list of case studies to hear straight from our customers. We’d love even more to have a direct one-to-one conversation with you about your LED lighting needs. 

Every project we take on is unique, and we work with our customers on a plan that minimizes disruptions and maximizes results. Connect with us today and let’s get started.

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