Using the right lighting is essential for any space, whether it is in an office, factory, or at home. It can affect not only visibility but also atmosphere and aesthetics. So, getting it right is important.
This is also true for commercial spaces, where there are additional considerations like safety and cost. This guide to commercial lighting will help to demystify all of the commercial light options available to help you to choose which is right for you.
What Is Commercial Lighting
Lighting is generally grouped into three types based on functionality, including commercial, industrial, and residential.
When we use the term commercial lighting, we mean any type of light system that is designed for and used in offices, stores, warehouses, and other commercial spaces. Its purpose is purely functional rather than aesthetic, but most businesses also demand efficiency to keep running costs as low as possible.
Types of Commercial Lighting
There are different types of commercial lighting fixtures, each with different levels of efficiency and functionality. From ceiling mounted and wall-mounted, to LED and fluorescent lighting, businesses need to consider where and how they will use the lights to decide which type of commercial lighting is right for them.
Incandescent lighting
Incandescent lighting is the first type of lighting that was made commercially available when it was designed by Thomas Edison. Otherwise known as halogen, this type of lighting involves bulbs filled with a gas, with a filament in the middle that emits light when electricity is passed through it.
Compared to more modern types of lighting, like LED, Halogen bulbs offer a more natural or warmer light that some claim is healthier for people due to its lack of blue light. However, incandescent lights are not energy-efficient and have a short life span, which has led countries to ban them entirely to reduce their impact on climate change. A more eco-friendly and cost-effective way to achieve a warmer lighting type is to opt for an LED bulb with colour options.
Fluorescent lighting
Florescent lighting, known for its energy efficiency and long life, is commonly found in offices, schools, and warehouses. It is a tube filled with a gas that lights up when electricity is passed through it.
Fluorescent lights have been widely used since the 1950s and were the first real energy-efficient lighting method. They were available in a range of shapes and sizes, making them a cost-effective way to light up large spaces for commercial use.
Technology has advanced since the 1950s and now are more energy efficient. This has made fluorescent lighting almost redundant with some countries set to ban the sale of them altogether in the next few years.
Fluorescent lights are still available for commercial use in the US. However, the gas used in these tubes is mercury vapour, which is toxic and can have an impact on the environment unless disposed of correctly. So, although fluorescent light tubes can last a long time, there are more options available.
LED Lighting
Compared to fluorescent lighting, LED lights are far more energy efficient and long-lasting. They are a modern alternative to fluorescent and have more features like colour changing, dimmable, programmable, and more.
LED lights are made up of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that produce light when electricity is passed through. This means that they light up instantly on the flick of a switch while other lighting types, like fluorescent, take time to warm up.
Due to the advancements in technology, LED bulbs can be up to 80% more efficient than fluorescent and last for an extra 10’000 hours, which means they cost far less to run and have less of an impact on the environment. They are also safer to dispose of as they don’t contain harmful substances. For commercial and residential lighting choices, LED is a good option.
What Is The Difference Between Commercial Lighting And Industrial Lighting?
Although these two types of lighting are quite similar as they are used commercially, the key difference is in how they are used.
Commercial lighting, for example, is generally used in spaces in which general work is carried out or is accessible to the public. This includes offices, malls, and schools where lights need to be functional and efficient, but also have a cosmetic purpose.
Industrial lighting is used in manufacturing locations where lights are purely functional and need to be harder-wearing to withstand the conditions of the environment.
What is the difference between commercial and residential lighting?
There is a larger difference between commercial and residential lighting as they function very differently. While commercial lights are designed for functionality, durability, and efficiency, residential lights are focused on aesthetics and usability.
Residential lights, for example, are usually chosen for their style, whether that is for an Edison-style filament bulb emitting a warm light or an LED spotlight in the ceiling. However, commercial lights are generally chosen because they are functional and cost-efficient for both running costs and initial price point.
Which Type Of Lighting Is Best For Commercial Use?
Commercial lighting is typically used for more hours in a day than residential lighting, so not only do the bulbs need to last longer but they also need to be far more efficient in order to reduce the impact on the environment. LED bulbs are, therefore, a good choice since they are energy efficient, with an average LED light bulb costing $3.66 per year when used for 10 hours per day. LED bulbs are also widely available and customizable, offering businesses great flexibility and choice when it comes to creating the right atmosphere for their commercial space.
What Health And Safety Standards Do Commercial Lights Need To Meet?
All types of lighting need to adhere to health and safety standards, though the standards and regulations are different for each type.
In the US, commercial lights need to meet energy codes that are set by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the National Electric Code (NEC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). In some states businesses also need to make sure that the lighting systems they choose meets local legislation. For example, California also requires commercial lighting systems to have controls such as sensors, timers, and dimming systems to help conserve energy.
Who Makes Commercial Electric Lighting
When it comes to sourcing and buying your commercial lighting, choosing a US-based company that is trustworthy can help to make sure that your building has lights that are high quality, fit-for-purpose, efficient, and meet all US health and safety regulations.
For over 20 years, Constellation Lighting has been at the forefront of research and development in commercial LED lighting. From our base in Houston, Texas, we have been designing innovative solutions and providing top-of-the-line LED solutions for commercial purposes. We also provide clients with a specialized commercial lighting design service right here in the United States,
For more information and to see how our team of experts can help with your commercial lighting project, request a FREE quote from Constellation Lighting.
