In recent years, it has become a necessity to upgrade many lights used on roads and parking lots. This is due for the most part to the rise of LED lights. Not only are they smaller, brighter, easier to maintain, require less power and safer to use than traditional lighting options, but their price has decreased significantly in the last few years, to the point where it is greatly beneficial to commercial businesses, industries and cities to update to this innovative lighting option. Since parking lots and parking areas are one of the most common uses for all night lighting needs, it’s safe to say that updating to LED lighting is something that nearly every maintainer of a parking area had done, is considering, or is in the process of doing right now. So, where to start when you are tasked with choosing new LED lights for your parking areas? Here’s a few things to consider:
First, consider whether you will be replacing existing lights or adding new ones. If you have lights already, then you can make use of the same poles and even the same wiring and just replace bulbs in some cases. Not having to rewire will save money. You also don’t need to worry about getting permits or making sure everything is up to code if you are simply updating your current lights. If you are adding new lights, consider the cost of setting the lights up and wiring them.
Next, the brightness of LED’s is critical to consider. LED’s are naturally brighter, so less lights may be required to achieve the same lighting effect as the previous lights. Also consider the color of LED bulbs you will need. Remember that LED’s are available in virtually any color and in fact, some types of LED bulbs will be able to support many colors in one bulb. You can even program them with software. For most parking areas, a warmer light with some yellow tones is easier on the eyes, but you can also choose white LED lights. It’s important to consider the color temperature since this reflects the quality of the lights. You’ll need to look for the lumen rating on the bulbs. Another stat is called CRI, or color remembering index. This is another indicator of light quality. If a light is of poor quality it will make everything under it look a certain color, while a quality light doesn’t have this effect as much. Generally, you want a CRI of 70 or more, but not above 90.
Also consider the rebate and warranty of the lights you choose. Many cities and municipalities will actually offer some type of rebate for switching to LED lights since they will save power and are more eco-friendly. A good warranty is also important, as there are some lower quality manufacturers of LED lights, so a good warranty will ensure your lights are covered for years to come.
BY by GAHZLY
#Choosing #Lighting #Parking #Areas
