The right lighting can transform a space, be it a home or a workplace. It's not just about brightness, but also about the mood and functionality it creates.
LED panel lights, with their versatility and various benefits, have become a popular choice for commercial spaces. Let's explore the world of LED panel lights, their benefits, and the key considerations when selecting the perfect one for your space.
What Are LED Panel Lights?
LED panel lights are high-performance LED lights with a sleek design. They are mainly used in commercial spaces like supermarkets, warehouses, and offices, but they can also be used in residential spaces like corridors and aisles.
What makes LED panel lights so popular in industrial spaces is their energy efficiency. This helps reduce energy bill and eventually the overall operational cost.
What are the different types of LED Panel Lights?
There are two types of LED panel lights - Recessed LED panel lights and Surface-mounted LED panel lights.
Recessed panel lights
These are LED lights that are recessed onto the ceiling. A hole is made in the ceiling to which the light is fixed. Thus, the light looks as if it is flushed against the ceiling.
The main advantage of recessed panel light is that it creates an illusion of space. Since the light is flushed against the ceiling you will feel the whole area being more spacious.
Surface mounted panel lights
These are light that are mounted on the surface of the ceiling. There is no need to provide hole or any provision on the ceiling to install this type of lights. Thus, this type of LED lights are easy to install.
However, if the space is small, then surface mounted panel lights can make the ceiling look low and create a cramped up feel.
What are the key factors to consider when purchasing LED panel lights?
You should pay close attention to few factor before purchasing LED panel lights.
Lumen
The first thing to consider is the lumen or light output of the LED panel light. This depends on the area to be illuminated.
Typically, commercial spaces should have 40 lumens per square foot. Thus, depending on the square foot of the space, you can understand the total lumen required for the space.
Color Temperature
Color temperature LED lights refer to how warm or cool the LED panel light is. This falls in the 1000K-10,000K range. Color temperature of LED light panels depends on the area and the activities that are carried out.
In commercial spaces where intricate work is carried out, the color temperature should closely mimic the daylight. Thus a temperature of more than 6000K is require to produce a cool white effect.
On the other hand in hospitality industries, warm color temperature would be ideal. Thus, a temperature of 2000- 3000K range is ideal.
Color rendering index
Color Rendering Index refers to how a source of light can closely render the original colors of an object. The color rendering index is measured in a scale of 1-100.
CRI above 90 is considered the best as it can accurately reveal the right colors of the object.
Compatibility with existing fixtures
If you already have other fixtures in the space, you should figure out how compatible the LED panel light is with the existing fixtures. You should also check whether the LED light is compatible with dimming options.
What are the benefits of LED Panel Lights?
LED panel lights offer a whole lot of benefits.
Energy efficency
LED panel lights have a high energy efficiency when compared to other forms of light. About 80% of the energy used by LED panel lights are converted to light and only 20% is wasted as heat. This is not the case with other forms of light where a lot of energy is wasted as heat.
Cost saving
Since the energy consumption of LED panel lights is less, the relative cost also comes down. This can significantly reduce the overall operational cost of the business.
Moreover, LED panel lights do not require regular maintenance which can reduce the overall maintenance cost.
Exceptional light quality
High quality LED lights offer uniform distribution of light without any glare. This is particularly important in industrial spaces where intricate works are carried out.
Durability
Another advantage of opting for an LED panel light is the long life span LED lights. Typically, LED panel lights can last for upto 11 years when used continuously. If used for 8 hours per day, the light can last for upto 20 years.
What are some tips for choosing the Right LED Panel Lights?
Below are some of the important tips you should keep in mind while choosing LED panel lights.
Quality and Certifications
Quality is key while selecting LED panel lights. LED lights normally comes with LED light certifications with respect to safety and energy efficiency. ETL and UL are safety certifications that shows how safe the LED lights are. Energy Star rating shows the energy efficiency of the light.
Installation requirements
Depending on whether the light is recessed or surface mounted, you should check the LED light installation requirements. Normally, LED panel lights are easy to install and meeting the installation requirements is no mean feat.
Lifespan
LED panel lights with a long lifespan require minimal maintenance. Thus, the replacement cost can be considerably reduced. It is best to aim for an LED panel light with atleast 50000 hours for best result.
Dimmability
Dimmable LED panel lights are required in certain industrial setups. If that is the case, then you should check whether the light is compatible with dimmer switches.
Conclusion
LED panel lights are the best LED lighting solutions if you want to add to the functionality and aesthetics of a space. These energy efficiency LED lights are long lasting and helps save cost. They are highly durable and do not require frequent maintenance. In addition to all this, LED panel lights are environmentally friendly and contributes towards sustainability.
