Whether you own a building whose employees work late into the night or are the owner of a large sports stadium, everyone needs adequate lighting to see their surroundings. Poorly lit areas can make even the toughest people uneasy and are a target for crime and vandalism. Most commercial and retail properties use external security lights such as flood lights to keep the exterior of their building well-lit, but are they the best option?
Many property owners are upgrading their conventional halogen and fluorescent security lights to LED flood lights because they are cost-effective, long-lasting, and provide a more high-intensity light for outdoor applications. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of upgrading to LED flood lights.
What Are LED Flood Lights?
Light-emitting diodes, produce light by electrifying non-toxic compounds, like gallium nitride, in small capsule-like electrical components. These diodes have a single-direction entrance and exit for the electricity.
In contrast, many traditional lights illuminate by electrifying toxic chemicals, like mercury, inside a glass chamber. Other bulbs use electricity to heat wire filaments that emit light, which requires a large amount of energy. Indoor and outdoor LED bulbs produce high-powered light while consuming little to no energy.
LED flood lights do not form sharply-defined light beams, producing a diffuse, non-directional glow that reduces the chance of disturbing guests. Several LED lights sit within a wide-angled fixture, illuminating over 120 degrees of space. The shadows these lights cause have soft and faded edges that can decrease eye strain.
These traits promote their use in a variety of public areas. Many property owners use them to illuminate large spaces, such as:
- Stadiums
- Sports courts
- Parking lots
- Campgrounds
- Public porches and decks
Main Applications of LED Flood Lights
The broad and bright beams of light LED flood lights benefit many businesses, especially ones with overnight processes or high ceilings. These highly customizable lights have lamp adjustment knobs and dimmers to adjust the angle and light output as needed. Technicians can mount, ground, or hoist an LED flood light nearly anywhere for the best lighting angles.
The customizability of LED flood lights makes them the perfect solution for many industrial applications. LEDs offer a range of tailored light applications, from spotlights on a storefront to stadium lighting. Some of the leading LED flood lighting locations include:
Shipping Ports
Port captains, crew members, and shipping employees require light at all times. Deliveries continue throughout the night, with some arrivals occurring in the wee hours of the morning. Their intricate and heavy-duty work requires optimal 24-hour visibility to keep themselves and the cargo safe.
Mounted LED flood lights provide powerful, nearly-natural lighting that illuminates the entire port.
Façade Lighting
The façade is the front part of the building facing the street. As the literal face of the company, building managers utilize different lights to highlight the area. Special lighting techniques can improve the professional appearance of a building by amplifying the company logo and other identifying markers.
Stadium Lighting
LED flood lights and their dynamic effects allow entertainment venues to brighten the playing field for the players and fans. Stadiums often require clear lighting that technicians can dim, brighten, and color freely. Many LED lighting options include color changes, application connections, and intuitive design that eases the programming process.
Manufacturing Plants and Construction Zones
Many industrial locations utilize heavy-duty equipment that can cause physical harm without optimal visibility. Many of these areas run 24/7, requiring clear lighting that won’t blind employees or visitors. LED flood lights provide bright light for less electricity while illuminating the work zone.
5 Reasons You Need to Upgrade to LED Flood Lights
The technical differences between LEDs and other bulbs display the increased quality of newer lights that contribute to higher satisfaction ratings. Because of their wide range of benefits, LED flood lights are highly recommended throughout industries. Some of the benefits of switching to LED flood lights include:
Low Heat Emission and Durable
LEDs do not produce as much heat as high-intensity discharge (HID) options. The housing unit radiators use aviation-grade aluminum that dissipates heat. An LED flood light does not usually exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit, while HID lights reach upwards of 500 degrees and higher.
Because of their low heat emission, LED lights can use more protective materials on their bulbs and light fixtures. For example, many LED flood lights have silicone sealing rings, with some increasing their Ingress Protection rating to IP67. The six means the light has complete dust protection for an extended time, while the seven denotes strong water immersion protection.
These added features increase the LED bulbs’ durability from the elements and themselves. With bulb temperatures that barely register on a heat index, LED bulbs don’t burst when they’ve reached their limit. Their durability makes them an optimal lighting choice.
Extended Lifespan
LED flood lights cost much less than other bulbs in the long run. While some LED options have a higher price tag, many last up to 100,000 hours. Meanwhile, the highest quality metal halide lightbulb only lasts up to 10,000 hours.
A person could purchase one LED light to last the length of 10 metal halide bulbs for the same light fixture. Their longevity means less need for maintenance and replacement, making them the cheaper option in the long haul.
Offers Energy Saving Opportunities
LED lights require less electricity than HID lights and produce brighter illumination. For example, LEDs only use 15 to 20 percent of the energy that traditional bulbs need, and this decrease in energy consumption equates to lower monthly utility bills. Switching to LED flood lights offer a cheaper, more energy-efficient lighting option.
Environmentally Safer
LEDs use non-toxic elements in their production and daily use than traditional options, like HID lights. LED lights do not utilize mercury or lead; their generally non-toxic composition makes them easily recyclable. Their long lifespans also mean less electronic waste.
Meanwhile, traditional options, like fluorescent lights, require special disposal because of the toxic chemicals inside. Incorrect disposal could lead to environmental pollution.
Better CRI and Color Temperature Range
The color rendering index (CRI) measures how much color information a light provides when illuminating a surface. A low CRI rating indicates that the light does not differentiate between colors very well. Sunlight rates at 100 on the CRI scale, the highest available.
Despite being an artificial light source, LED CRI ratings begin at 90. In comparison, fluorescent lamps only rate up to 65 while metal halide lamps only reach 60. HID lights can meet a CRI rating of 90, but their quality wanes quickly after continual use.
LED lights also have a wide color temperature range compared to traditional options. The color temperature of light indicates the warmth of a light’s color. For example, warmer lights appear orange and inviting, while cooler lights have a bluish tone and help focus.
Technicians measure the color temperature of lights in degrees Kelvin, from 1,000K, the warmest, to 10,000K, the coolest. Sunlight typically ranges from 3,000 to 6,500K throughout the day. Comparatively, LEDs cover a similar range of color temperatures, from 2,200 to a little over 6,000K.
Most traditional lights can only produce monochromatic light, where the bulb’s color temperature cannot vary much between degrees. Monochromatic light creates an intense color that can wash out other tones and leads to poor night visibility, making them an insufficient option for industries that work overnight.
Are You Ready To Upgrade Your Flood Lights?
If you’re looking for a way to brighten your exterior while saving money on your energy bill, LED flood lights are an easy way to kill two birds with one stone. With their durability and longevity, you’ll keep your energy bills down and won’t have to worry about constantly changing the dead bulbs. If you think you’re ready to take the next step with an LED flood light upgrade, give us a call today.
Suncoast Power is a locally-owned and operated commercial electrical contractor licensed in Florida for more than 30 years. We are a full-service electrical contractor specializing in everything from lighting and wiring upgrades to backup generator installation and even new construction projects.
Give us a call at (754) 200-5872 or fill out our contact form to speak with one of our experienced electricians about your property and your requirements. Our representatives are standing by to get you booked!