But there’s so much more to LED high bay lights than you know. This article answers the basic questions that’ll help you decide if you should use it or not.
What are LED high bay lights?
LED high bay lights are fixtures that hang from the ceiling. They either use hooks, pendants, or chains. It’s also possible to have these lights fixed directly into the ceiling. These use reflectors that intensify the brightness that reaches the ground.
It’s also important to remember this:
The reflectors and the position of the high bay lights will affect how the light spreads in an area.
To understand these high bay lights even further, you have to know what it’s used for. You see, there are many types of light fixtures. But you can easily differentiate them. How? They have features that can meet the needs of the area that needs illumination.
So what else should you know about LED high bay lights?
Placed on high ceilings
As the name suggests, high bay lights are ideal for areas with very high ceilings. When we say high, this refers to distances between 25 feet to 45 feet from the ground up. You want to make sure that you get lights that can provide enough brightness to illuminate all the way down.
But it’s not just the height that you have to focus on here.
You have to think about changing the lights. Even the most durable light fixture would need changing eventually. Since it’s very high up, changing bulbs is not that easy to do. It could be downright dangerous as well.
The good news is, there are lights that don’t need frequent changing, like LED high bay lights. They will last even if you use them for long periods of time – on a daily basis.
Ideal for large spaces
LED high bay lights are ideal for industrial, commercial, and recreational facilities.
These include:
- Warehouses
- Large shops
- Huge indoor sporting areas
- Manufacturing facilities
- School grounds
- University gymnasiums
- Conference venues
- Factories
And so many more…
What do these places have in common? It’s a large space. High bay lights are perfect for these areas since the installation is high above the ground. The light distribution is wider from way up there. With enough lights installed, the illumination is brighter on the floor.
Take a warehouse as an example. These have tall shelves. Or even workshops and manufacturing sites. These places have tables, machines, and pieces of equipment on the floor. Every space requires an equal amount of light. Having enough light will eliminate shadows. It won’t compromise the work done on the floor. It’ll also prevent accidents from happening.
More powerful light source
Illuminating a large space from a high place requires a powerful light source. You want to make sure that you can light up every corner of the space.
That’s what high bay lights can do. These lights are powerful enough to illuminate all the way to the ground.
But it’s not just about using the right wattage. It’s also important to consider the exact position of every fixture as well.
You need to space the high bay lights strategically. If you position them too far from each other, the light might be too dim. If you space them too near, you might waste energy from having too much brightness than what’s really needed.
Find the balance, so the brightness is just right and uniformed throughout the space.
Remember, there are also ways to boost brightness. You can use the right fittings and components. Like the use of reflectors will increase the intensity of the light. Consider that when choosing your LED high bay lights.
Why should you use high bay lights?
Now that you know what an LED high bay light really is, why should you use it? As mentioned, you use these lights for a specific purpose. To illuminate large areas with high ceilings.
But you may be wondering, why use LED specifically as the light source?
There are different fixtures you can use. You have metal halide, HPS (high-pressure sodium), and fluorescent lights. Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages. Why should you stick to using LED lights?
Because it’s economical to use.
You’re probably thinking – LED high bay lights are more expensive to install.
How does that make it cost-friendly?
While it’s true that buying these lights will initially cost more, the savings will come over time.
There are several reasons why this is true.
It has a longer lifespan
LED lights are extremely durable. If you compare it to incandescent lighting, LED won’t “burn out” as fast. What happens is they will dim over time.
Let’s look at examples for context. Incandescent bulbs last 1,000 hours, while compact fluorescent lights last 8,000 to 10,000 hours. High-quality LED lights can give light for 30,000 to 50,000 hours. If you maintain it, you might get longer hours.
LED lights are also very durable. It mounts on circuit boards and uses soldered leads to stay connected. What does that mean? They don’t have filaments and glass exteriors. That means it won’t be in danger of breaking in case of impacts or hard vibrations. They’re still fragile – but nothing more than that of small electronic devices.
Another thing that makes it durable is the fact that it’s not affected by rapid cycling. That means even if you turn it on and off, it won’t compromise the fixture the way other light bulbs do.
This is great for business purposes. After all, it’s harder to change high bay light bulbs. You want to make sure you don’t have to do it frequently.
Since the operation life is longer, this will help you lower labor costs. It’ll also lower the overall maintenance cost.
It provides better illumination – that’s also safe
Have you ever had to turn on a light and wait a couple of moments before it illuminates?
That won’t happen with LED high bay lights.
LEDs provide 100% brightness instantly. The moment you turn it on, it illuminates the place immediately. It’s not like most HID (high-intensity discharge) lamps or fluorescent lights. These take a minimum of 3 minutes before reaching their maximum brightness.
This ensures that activities start immediately. Regardless if it happens in the warehouse, factory, workshop, or even sporting facilities. You save time and it boosts productivity – even if it’s only a small way.
But that’s not all. LED lights do not produce harmful emissions. There’s no need to worry about infrared (IR) or radiated heat and ultraviolet radiation (UV). These can cause serious burn hazard to people – and it’s present in incandescent lamps.
LED lights have virtually no IR or UV emissions. And with the advancements in technology, there’s a high chance that this really won’t be a problem in the future.
It’s more energy efficient
Did you know that a 200-watt LED bulb is just as bright as a 450-watt metal halide?
That’s how energy-efficient LED lights are. These only use 50% less electricity compared to incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lights. The savings will be evident, especially when it’s turned on for long periods of time. It will really put a huge cut on your energy bill – which is also very good for the environment.
It also helps that LED lights emit hemispherically. Why? Because of the flat surface that it mounts. It allows the aiming of light to go in one direction. Conventional bulbs emit both light and heat spherically. It goes in all directions.
Why is this important? It means you don’t waste light and energy.
There’s also another reason why LED high bay lights are energy efficient. You see, LEDs can light up even in cold temperatures. Fluorescent lights, on the other hand, will require a higher voltage to start lighting up. Not to mention the fact that the brightness will also decrease.
That won’t be a problem for LED lights. In fact, you’ll notice that its performance improves. This makes it a great option for cold storage facilities or outdoor lighting.
Controllability also adds to energy efficiency. LED lights inherently allow control over the lighting system. That means if you need dimmer lights, it’s easy to implement. The dimming is even smooth – not tiered like other alternatives. So if you don’t need too much brightness, you can dim the lights and save energy.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why it’s a good idea to use LEG high bay lights.
But before you make a final decision, it’s important to define how you should use it first.
If the place you’ll install it has:
- A high ceiling
- A large floor area
- Requires a powerful light source
Then using high bay lights is your best option.
If you want an energy-efficient light source that’s long-lasting and provides quality illumination…
Then LED high bay lights are the perfect light fixture to use. Contact RC Lighting now to get an instant quote!
