How to Choose High-Bay LED Lights for Industrial Facilities

Learn how to select high-bay LED lights for industrial spaces, focusing on brightness, efficiency, durability, and installation for optimal performance.

Luminate Lighting Group

High-bay LED lights are perfect for big places with tall roofs, like warehouses, factories, and garages. Here's how to pick the best lights for your space:

  • Brightness: Pick lights based on the work you do. For example:
    • Light work: 50-75 lumens for each square foot
    • Heavy work: 75-100 lumens for each square foot
    • Detailed work: 100-150 lumens for each square foot
  • Efficiency: Go for lights with at least 130 lumens per watt to cut down on energy costs.
  • Beam Angle: Pick the light spread based on your roof height:
    • Small angles (60-90°) for roofs above 35 ft.
    • Medium angles (90-120°) for 20-35 ft.
    • Big angles (120°+) for shorter roofs.
  • Durability: Look at IP scores for dust and water safe (e.g., IP65 for inside, IP67 for tougher spots). Check if the lights can take on cold and shakes if needed.
  • Installation: You can hang them, mount them flat, or use rods, based on your roof type and height.
  • Cost Savings: LED lights use 50-70% less power than old lights and last 50,000-100,000 hours, cutting down on upkeep costs. Rebates and tax breaks, like Section 179D, can help with the cost.

Smart controls like motion sensors, light changes based on daylight, and dimmers can help use less energy and boost efficiency. Use light layouts to plan your setup to light well and keep away from dark spots or sharp light. For expert help, companies like Luminate Lighting Group can smooth out the process from design to putting them up while making the most of rebates and tax cuts.

How to Hang UFO LED High Bay Lights

Main Points to Keep in Mind When Picking High-Bay LED Lights

When you are picking the right high-bay LED lights for your work place, a few main points matter a lot. These points make sure your lights work well and last long.

Light Power and How Good the Light Works

Light power tells how much light comes from a light, affecting how bright your place is. For work places, how much light you need for each square foot changes with the type of work:

  • For making light things: 50-75 light units per square foot
  • For heavy work places: 75-100 light units per square foot
  • For detailed work places: 100-150 light units per square foot

Another key point is how good the light works, which shows how well a light turns power into light. Aim for lights that give at least 130 light units per watt, but some better ones can give up to 170 light units per watt. More light from less power not only cuts down your power bill but also makes less heat.

Ceiling height matters too. For every 10 feet over 20 feet, you'll need about 10-15% more light to keep the floor well-lit. For example, a 40-foot ceiling needs about 30% more light units than a 20-foot ceiling for the same brightness.

After you know how much light you need, you should think about the angle of light for the best light spread.

Angle of Light and How it Spreads

The angle of light shapes how the light spreads out from each light, changing how many lights you need and where to put them. Here are the usual light angles for work places:

  • Narrow angles (60-90 degrees): Best for ceilings over 35 feet. These angles point light down and cut the number of lights needed. But, they can make bright spots right under the lights and darker spots in between.
  • Medium angles (90-120 degrees): Good for ceilings between 20-35 feet. This choice gives even light and works well for general warehouse and making things.
  • Wide angles (120+ degrees): Made for lower ceilings, these angles spread light over big areas. They make light even but might need more lights to stop shadows.

To get even light, pick a light angle that fits your place's shape. For example, long narrow areas do well with straight lights or narrow light angles, while big or open spaces are better with wide light angles. Make sure to give good light to areas where workers spend most time.

How Tough They Are and IP Ratings

Work places can be tough, so how tough lights are is key. IP ratings show how well lights handle dust, water, and other rough stuff. These ratings have two numbers: the first for dust and the second for water.

  • IP65: Fits most inside places, keeps out all dust and stands up to water jets.
  • IP66 or IP67: Needed for tougher spots like food making or chemical places. These ratings offer better water guard, perfect for spots cleaned often.

The range of temps it works in is key to think about. Usual lights work from -4°F to 104°F. But, for harsh places like big freeze rooms or hot factories, you might need lights that can take -40°F to 140°F.

In spots with big machines, being able to take shakes matters a lot. Look for lights made to deal with constant shaking, usually with mounts that soak up shocks. Also, in places like chemical works or by the sea, fighting rust is a must. Pick lights made of stuff that can fight rust or stainless steel to keep them okay for long.

Setting Up Your Lights

When you want to set up good lights, it's not only about picking bulbs that shine bright or cover a big area. The real trick is to plan the setup well so that every light does its job perfectly. A smart layout helps put lights in the right spots, saves power, and keeps things safe.

Checking Room Size and Ceiling Height

First, measure your place - the length, width, and how high the ceiling is. These numbers help you figure out how many lights you need and where to put them. Remember, how you space the lights can depend on how high the ceiling is. Higher ceilings might need stronger lights or closer ones to keep everything well-lit.

Make sure to think about things that could get in the way like air ducts, cranes, or shelves. These can block light and throw shadows that mess with your lighting plan.

To keep it simple, make a detailed map of the floor. Write down the sizes, mark where obstacles are, and draw the main areas where work happens. This map shows you where you might need strong lights and where you can go easy. Once the map looks good, you can make it even better with photometric layouts.

Using Photometric Layouts

Photometric layouts are computer-made designs that show how light from each bulb will spread out in your space. They clear up how bright or dark spots will be, helping you see where light might be too weak or too strong. Most light companies will help you do this to make smart choices.

These designs also help you make sure your lighting is even. They point out spots that might need some adjustment to dodge glare or dark patches - especially in busy areas like work stations and paths. This info lets you fix how many lights you need and where they go for a smooth and effective setup.

Matching Lighting to Tasks

Different spots in a work place may need different kinds of light. For example, storage areas might need less light than places where people check or fix stuff closely. Loading areas need careful light to switch safely between inside and outside.

Places like work tables and lines where people put things together need strong, steady light to cut down on shadows and help people see well. Paths and walkways should have enough light to be safe, but not so much that it wastes power. Spots near machines may need extra bright and even light. It's smart to have extra lights ready in case one goes out to keep things safe.

Lastly, think ahead. Work places change over time, so setting up lights that can change too is a wise move for the long haul. A flexible system keeps your lights working right, no matter how your place changes.

sbb-itb-86fe545

Picking the Best High-Bay LED Lights

Now that you've looked at your space and know what you need from your lights, it's time to choose the right high-bay LED lights. This step is key to making sure your lights work well and save energy. The lights you pick will change how well the space is lit, how much energy you use, and how the lights perform. A bad choice might give you patchy light or use too much power.

Looking at Different Light Types

High-bay LED lights come in a few styles, each good for certain jobs. The main kinds are UFO round lights, linear lights, and traditional high-bay upgrades. Let's check out what each type offers:

  • UFO Round Lights: These small, round lights are good for places like warehouses. They spread light wide and even, and can shine from 15,000 to 50,000 lumens. But, they might make glare if not set up right and don't work well in long, tight spots.
  • Linear Lights: These are best for lines of work, moving belts, and long areas. They keep the light even, cutting down on dark spots. You can connect many together to light up big spaces. These usually cost more for each area than round lights.
  • Traditional High-Bay Upgrades: Made to fit where old types of lights were, these are good for updates. They're often the least costly at first but might not spread light as well because they use old ways.
Light Type Works Best In Brightness Light Shape Price Range
UFO Round Big storage places 15,000-50,000 lumens Big circle $150-$800
Linear Lines where people work 8,000-25,000 lumens Long lines $200-$600
Traditional Retrofit Upgrade old lights 10,000-40,000 lumens Depends on fit $100-$500

After you pick a light kind, it's key to look at how to fix it up to make sure it works well and is easy to put in place.

How to Fix and Set Up Tips

How you set up lights changes how the light spreads, how much it costs to put in, and if you can change it later. There are three main ways:

  • Hanging Fix: Lights hang on chains or wires, so you can change how high or low and the angle. This is good for tall places over 20 feet since it brings the light down closer to where people work.
  • Flat Fix: Lights stick right to the top or big beams. It's an easy way to set up for tops between 15-25 feet high. But, changing the height later takes a lot of work.
  • Stick Fix: With firm rods or poles, this way lets you set the height just right. It's in the middle for cost and how easy it is to use when you look at the other two ways.

Your pick should match your top height and how your place is built up. For example, steel tops can hold heavy lights and let you choose from many ways to fix them up, while stone tops need special hold bits. False tops might need lights set above the panels with cuts made for light to come through.

Also, make sure your lights fit the power you have (120V, 208V, or 277V). Some new types can work with more than one power setup, making them easier to put in and cutting the need for more wires.

Save Money and Fix Less

When you move to LED high-bay lights, the good stuff goes way past better light. The money saved on energy and fixing them alone make these lights a smart pick.

  • Save Power: LED lights use 50-70% less power than old metal halide or bright lights. For example, swapping a 400-watt metal halide light with a 150-watt LED saves around 2,190 kWh every year - about $219 per light with a usual power price of $0.10 per kWh. Add that up over many lights and the savings grow big fast. Many places get their money back in 2-4 years just from using less power.
  • Less Fixing Costs: Old metal halide bulbs last 10,000-15,000 hours and cost $15-25 each to change. When you think about having to pay for work and renting kit for high tops, each change can cost $75-150. LED lights, however, last 50,000-100,000 hours, so you might not need to swap them at all during their life.
  • Rebates and Tax Helps: Many power companies give back $25-$100 for each LED light you buy, and some places have special plans for big places. Make sure to ask for rebates before buying, as they often need to say yes first. Also, federal tax cuts under Section 179D can give back $0.60-$1.80 per square foot for better lighting setups. For a 50,000-square-foot warehouse, this could mean cuts of $30,000-$90,000.

To get the most out of these good points, think about working with a lighting pro like Luminate Lighting Group. They can guide you through rebate plans, make sure your lights are okay for help, and deal with the tax cut paperwork, saving you time and money.

Easy Ways to Manage Light and Save Power

Using simple tools with power checks can make your light system work better and lower power costs as you go.

Easy Light Tools

Today's light setups do more than just switch on and off. Smart tools make big LED lights work together using things like movement sensors, daylight use, and dimming.

  • Movement Sensors: These spot movement and turn off lights in empty spots. This easy step can cut power use a lot by not lighting up spaces no one is using.
  • Daylight Use: With light sensors, this setup checks natural light from sky windows or glass windows. When there’s enough outside light, it makes the LED lights softer, keeping brightness the same while using less power.
  • Dimming Tools: These let you change how bright the lights are based on what you are doing. For instance, places where you need to see well can have brighter lights, while quiet areas can have softer light. This not only uses less power but also makes your LED lights last longer.

Lots of these setups connect to your place’s network, letting you watch and handle everything from one spot. This way, it's easier to keep track of how much power you use, see needed fixes early, and set up light times for different parts of your place. These smart tools fit well with the good points of doing a full power check.

Power Checks and Money-Back Chances

Putting smart light setups together with a full power check can open up more chances to save. In a power check, pros look at your place’s power use, check light levels, and look at your current light setups and power use. You get a full report showing where you can save, time to get money back, and rebates you could get.

  • Power Company Rebates: Many power firms give money back for upgrading to power-saving LED setups. You might get more money back if you add smart tools, but some plans ask for OK first.
  • Federal Tax Help: Programs like Section 179D give tax cuts for light upgrades that meet power-saving rules.
  • State and Local Help: Based on where you are, you might also get more savings through tax breaks, fast value drops, or easy loan options.

Why Work with Luminate Lighting Group

Luminate Lighting Group

Even after making your light setup better, expert help can really help in getting the most savings and making sure things work right. Luminate Lighting Group knows industrial light projects well and handles all steps from checking to putting in, making sure all rules and local laws are met.

Their custom light maps make sure lights are put just right and light is spread evenly over your place, taking out any hard guesses. Luminate's power check services give you exact numbers on returns, key for getting rebates and tax cuts.

They also guide you through local build laws, including needs for emergency and high-risk area lighting. Their know-how in handling rebate plans and tax benefit papers can cut your project costs a lot. Plus, their full-setup services mean less mess, letting your work go on without a hitch.

Wrap-up: Picking the Best Lights for Your Place

Picking the right high-bay LED lights means matching lumen output, beam angle, and durability with what your place needs. The amount of light should fit your work, beam angles need to spread light well, and the lights should last under your space's conditions. Get these key things right from the start, and you save on future costs and skip unwanted stops.

But good lighting is more than the main things. A well-set system uses smart controls for better use. Think of your lighting as one whole system - not just single lights - to use it best. Things like motion sensors cut waste by turning off lights when places are empty, daylight harvesting changes light levels with the day, and dimming controls help adjust light for different jobs.

Your place's special features should drive your choices. For example, spots with 40-foot ceilings need different lights than those with 25-foot ceilings. Spots with big machines might need special light setups. Using custom photometric layouts can help find the best spots for lights, keeping the light even and free from dark spots or glare.

Working with pros in industrial lighting can help a lot. Firms like Luminate Lighting Group help with everything from putting in lights to finding rebate programs. Their custom plans make sure your lights fit your room size and work needs.

Energy checks can also boost your update by showing you benefits and the time it takes to get money back. Perks like utility rebates and Section 179D tax cuts can quicken your return on spend while dropping work costs. These benefits show why a smart light plan is worth it.

To do this well, start by knowing your space size and how much power you use now. Team up with experts who can make a system that fits today and can grow with your business. By meshing good design, careful planning, and smart controls, you'll get a high-bay LED setup that gives great light and saves money right away.

FAQs

How do I pick the best light strength for work in my big work place?

To pick the best light strength for jobs in your big work place, first know the job and the light level it needs, named in foot-candles. For big spaces like storage or paths, you'll want about 30–50 units of light per square foot. For jobs that need more care, like putting things together or checking quality, go for at least 150 units of light per square foot.

To work out the full amount of light needed, times the space (in square feet) by the needed foot-candle level. Then, choose lights that can give the needed light to make sure the place is well-lit. This way helps make sure jobs are done well and in a safe way.

What’s the smart way to keep cash in your pocket and do more in less time when you switch to high-bay LED lights in a big work place?

Switching to high-bay LED lights is a wise move to save cash and do more. These lights use way less power - up to 60% less - than old lights like metal halide ones. If you want to save even more, retrofit sets can cut power use by as much as 70%, often paying for themselves in less than a year.

Working with a trusted team like Luminate Lighting Group can smooth the switch. They offer tailor-made fixes that not only better how well the lights work but also help cut power bills and meet green goals. Plus, you might get some utility rebates and tax breaks, which can add to your savings.

Related Blog Posts