led lights – Page 2 – Energy & Water Conservation Blog

Retrofitting Parking and Canopy HIDs with LED Canopy Light Fixtures

Posted on 04/23/201810/27/2018 by Yaminah Jappah

For many business, indoor lighting is one of the most important decisions to be made. Equally important, however, should be how the outside is illuminated. For potential customers passing the building at night, or walking through the parking garage, the outside will be their first impression of your establishment. While HID lamps have been the standard outdoor lighting option for years, LED canopy light fixtures help provide many options to create a safe and inviting environment while greatly reducing both energy use and lighting costs.

Light Distribution

LED manufacturers made sure to provide many options to address a myriad of commercial lighting needs. The LED fixtures are available in two different types: Parking Garage Distribution and Canopy Distribution. The lamps also come in different shapes (round and square) to make the switch simple. The shapes allow multiple choices for mounting: ceiling, arm, and wall mount to name a few. HID lamps generally emit a somewhat orange light color. Their LED counterparts however, provide a cool white light. This gives them a much brighter appearance, and helps foster feelings of safety and comfort where installed.

Switching and Saving

Regardless of where the new lights are being installed, you’ll want to make sure the old ones are being properly replaced. LED canopy light fixtures are available in 20 to 53 watt options as replacements for the following HID lights:

20W LED – 100W Metal Halide
30W LED – 150W Metal Halide
40W LED – 175W Metal Halide
53W LED – 250W Metal Halide

The LED technology allows these lamps to use such low amounts of energy while still maintaining brightness. This is because the brightness is not dependent on wattage, but lumens. The higher the lumen count on a lamp is, the brighter the light emitted from will be. Further opportunities for savings are realized through dimmable and motion sensing lamps. By installing the LED canopy light fixtures, you’ll be cutting energy usage per fixture by up to 80% and as a result, energy costs.

Does Ballast Compatibility Matter When Choosing LED T8 Lamps?

Posted on 04/12/201810/27/2018 by Yaminah Jappah

Plug and Play LED T8 Traditionally, fluorescent T8 linear lamps have been used as the main light source in commercial buildings such as hospitals, warehouses, schools, and more. LED T8 lamps are quickly replacing their fluorescent counterparts. The LED technology provides higher efficiency, many color and lumen options, and sizes. Advancements in lighting capabilities have also led to more options for installation. When deciding on which lamps to replace your fluorescent T8s with, one of the main things to consider is the ballast type. Knowing the difference between a Plug and Play LED T8 and a Ballast Bypass T8 will make the process of switching even easier.

Type A

Ballast compatibility absolutely matters when the LED lamp you’ve chosen is of the UL Type A variety. The Plug and Play LED T8, also referred to as direct fit, is the easiest of the two types to install. This lamp works directly with the existing ballast to quickly replace the fluorescent T8. While this is the simplest installation method, the LED lamp must be compatible with the ballast of the fluorescent it is replacing in order for the new lamp to work. The makers of the LED T8 typically provide a list of compatible ballasts. Make sure to check out this list before purchasing your replacement lamps.

Type B

LED lamps classified as ballast bypass, direct wire, or UL Type B do have a more involved installation. As a result, it is best to hire an expert electrician to complete the process. The Ballast Bypass T8 does just that. The technology of these lamps works straight from the line voltage that flows through the sockets.The process of retrofitting fluorescent fixtures for this LED type entails the removal of any electrical ballasts as well as verifying non-shunted sockets are in the fixture. The initial installation costs of the lamp is made up for by getting rid of the maintenance costs the ballast would otherwise need.

Both Plug and Play LED T8 and Ballast Bypass T8 options provide as much as 40% more savings in energy use and costs when compared to fluorescent lamps. Having an understanding of how the ballasts impact your fixture, installation process, and overall maintenance can help you better choose which lighting option will work best for you.

Benefits of the High Bay LED Retrofit

Posted on 03/02/201810/27/2018 by Yaminah Jappah

high bay LED retrofit In commercial and industrial buildings, High Intensity Discharge, or HID, light fixtures are commonly found. These are high voltage fixtures that use a mix of metals and gases to create a bright and powerful white light. With each year, and as technology continues to advance, there are far more options for lighting than ever before. Among the most energy efficient options for illuminating any space are LEDs. Naturally, the larger the space, the greater the opportunity for savings. Making the switch from an HID light fixture to a high bay LED retrofit in your facility provides great savings in energy, energy costs, and much more.

Stacking up Savings
While HID light fixtures are the standard, their high voltage and wattage requirements result in high energy consumption. This leads to the cost of energy going up along with it. In contrast, LEDs are powered when a microchip receives an electrical current to create the light. The difference in technology is how a 90-watt high bay LED can replace a 400-watt HID light fixture.

In addition, LEDs contain technology called a heat sink, which absorbs the heat that is created by the light. Heat sink technology allows for up to 20% in air conditioning savings, furthering savings in energy costs. As if this isn’t enough, many of these energy saving lights are also DLC listed. This rating means that many of these fixtures qualify for energy rebates with local utility companies.

Where do they go?
High bay fixtures are designed for use in buildings with ceilings that are typically 20 to 45 feet in height. This makes them ideal for installation in gymnasiums, manufacturing plants, factories, warehouses, and other structures with high ceilings. Spaces such as these require illumination from all sides, and the LEDs provide it. The high bay LED retrofit is not only energy efficient, but long lasting. On average, they last as long as 50,000 hours. The long lifespan reduces the need for frequent replacement, which is ideal given how high up they’re installed!

The focus of LED lighting technology is on their power. They are designed to provide illumination of the highest quality without sacrifice. These energy efficient fixtures deliver brilliant light without affecting the temperature of the building, while saving energy and reducing energy costs from the moment they’re installed.

Fluorescent T5 vs LED Bulb Replacement

Posted on 02/16/201810/27/2018 by Yaminah Jappah

As recently as 2010, the United States Department of Energy found that nearly 80 percent of lamps being used in commercial buildings were fluorescent. These lights are commonly found in large industrial buildings or other commercial edifices, such as hospitals and schools. They provide up to 75 percent more energy savings than their incandescent counterparts. That being said, as LED technology updates and shifts, even more savings can be realized by switching from fluorescent tubes to LED T5 plug and play or LED T5 direct wire lamps.

Power Up
One of the major identifiers of any light is its wattage. This is the main indicator of how much you’re going to save when you switch. For example, a standard 28-watt fluorescent tube can be replaced by a 15-watt LED lamp. Additionally, a 54-watt high output fluorescent tube is easily replaceable by an LED that consumes only 25-watts of energy. With such a difference in the amount of power being used, savings in energy costs quickly follow installation.

Plug and Play
Plug and Play, or direct wire, LED T5 lamps make switching from fluorescent to LED simple. These bulbs are easy and quick to install. Replacing the ballast in your current fixture won’t be necessary, as it plugs directly into the fixture without any rewiring. This also reduces the the cost of labor and reduces maintenance for facility managers.

Bypass the Ballast
Ballast bypass, also known as LED T5 direct wire lights are slightly different from their plug and play counterparts. These lamps cannot be installed without first removing the existing ballast in a fixture. This is because they operate using the line voltage that flows straight to the sockets, essentially doing what its name indicates, bypassing the ballast.

Time is Money
On average, an LED T5 lamp is rated to last as long as 50,000 hours. This is more than double the standard 24,000 hour life of a fluorescent tube. Installing lamps with this long of a lifespan eliminates the need for frequent replacement. Also worth consideration are warranty periods. Standard fluorescent tubes have a warranty period up to 2 years. Conversely, the typical warranty period for LED fluorescent tubes is 5 years.

These lamps are available in cool and daylight white and designed with high lumen outputs. This provides both consistent color and illumination for a seamless switch. With lower power usage, longer lifespan, and a longer warranty, whether you choose an LED T5 plug and play or a ballast bypass lamp, you’re easily looking at saving as much as 45 percent on both energy usage and costs.

Brighten Any Outdoor Space with LED Wall Packs

Posted on 04/26/201710/27/2018 by Yaminah Jappah

Make your outdoor commercial environment safer and more energy efficient with Conservation Mart’s high-tech LED wall packs. These high-quality lighting solutions are uniquely designed to help illuminate building entrances, apartment buildings, overhead door lighting and more at night, with styles that help lower light pollution so that your area is fully illuminated without disturbing the surroundings.

We have standard and cutoff-style LED wall packs available. We recommend picking up LED cutoff wall packs if you’re looking for a great way to provide ample lumen output at night without high levels of light contamination. These LED fixtures work by directing the light downward rather than upward in order to keep light away from the night sky, so they are a popular option for illuminating parking lots and entryways. Traditional wall packs are a smart choice for covered and contained environments, such as beneath overhangs or in parking garages.

With our selection of LED wall packs, you can take advantage of amazingly long lamp lives — 120,000 hours in some cases — as well as built-in features that ensure safe operation and easy installation with minimal maintenance. These lights are a solid choice for wall- or ceiling-mounted security lighting, walkway lighting, area lighting, parking lighting, schools, hospitals, hotels and more.

At Conservation Mart, we offer low prices and incredible volume discounts on LED wall pack lights that can be used to effectively replace your incandescent, metal halide and fluorescent wall packs in commercial outdoor spaces.

LED Troffers are Ideal in Office Drop Ceilings

Posted on 11/07/201605/19/2022 by Conservation Mart

Found often in schools, hospitals, offices, retail settings, and for grid ceiling applications, LED troffers are rectangular light fixture that fits into a modular dropped ceiling grid, which are usually 2’x2′ or 2’x’4. Troffer fixtures initially used fluorescent bulbs, such as the T5, T8, or T12. There are LED Troffer retrofits available or if you are putting in new fixtures, high-efficiency LED lay-in troffers and LED Flat Panels are available. These fixtures are available in multiple lumen light outputs, and warmer white (35K), cool white (41K), and bright white (50K) colors.

Many LED panels deliver a polished look with their sleek design and advanced light dispersing. This Paclights 46W 2X4 LED Volumetric Troffer FTB24D46 model runs on 46 watts and generates 5796 lumens.

One of the best advantages of using LED 2×4 Troffers, is that the bulbs generally last 50,000 hours, versus only 30,000 hours for an average T8 LFL. This means less calls to the maintenance department to change bulbs in the facility.

To view Conservation Mart’s wide selection of LED Troffers and Panels, please visit our website.

LED Emergency Lights and Exit Signs are a Win-Win!

Posted on 07/31/201610/04/2016 by Conservation Mart

During an emergency, the power often goes out and standard exit signs do not give off enough light to enable people to see down hallways or stairwells. LED emergency lights and exit sign combinations are a cost effective way to comply with building codes and help people safely exit a building.

Emergency signs are illuminated 24 hours a day. Incandescent emergency lights use about 40 watts of power compared to 5 watts used by LED signs. Multiply this amount by the number of exit signs in your facility, and you can calculate a considerable amount of savings which you will see on your monthly bill.

Another advantage of LED bulbs is that they usually last for at least 10 years. Incandescent and fluorescent lights on the other hand, only last for an average five months or one year respectively. This means that your maintenance costs will also decrease, as you won’t need to replace bulbs very often.

Easy to install, LED emergency exit signs are a fast and inexpensive way to make your building more safe and energy efficient.

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LED T8 U-Bend Lamps

Posted on 06/28/201612/07/2016 by Conservation Mart

If you are looking for a bright, energy-efficient light that can be used in a commercial or residential space, LED T8 U-bend lamps are a great solution.

A U-bend lamp is a linear tube that has been shaped into a U. LED T8 U-bend lamps operate off a fixture’s existing ballast, without any extra labor or rewiring. It is a plug-and-play replacement for fluorescent tubes that works straight out of the box, and is suitable for use in a totally enclosed, bi-pin socketed luminaires.

Designed to deliver over 1800 lumens, these energy-saving LED lamps are quick, easy, and safe to install.

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Brighten Your Holidays With LED Lights

Posted on 11/09/201504/13/2016 by Conservation Mart

The Department of Energy has compiled a great deal of helpful information about the advantages of LED lights. They have found that decorative LED light strings consume far less electricity than incandescent bulbs and have a number of other advantages. They are:

Safer: LEDs are much cooler than incandescent lights, reducing the risk of combustion or burnt fingers.
Sturdier: LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, and are much more resistant to breakage.
Longer lasting: The same LED string could still be in use 40 holiday seasons from now.
Easier to install: Up to 25 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket.

The estimated cost of electricity to light a six-foot tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days is .27 cents for C-9 LED lights v. $10.00 for incandescent C-9 lights.

Another thing to keep in mind when you are shopping for holiday lights is whether the strands utilize half-wave or full-wave technology. All LED lights cycle on and off many times per second. The cycle speed of full wave lights is 120 times per second, which is undetectable to the human eye. However, the cycle speed of half wave lights is 60 times per second, which is noticeable to many people.

In addition, full wave LED lights:

Produce between 30-40% more light output
Appear to have brighter and truer colors
Have no visible flicker, even in windy conditions

Whether you are looking for lights for your home or business (such as wedding venues, retail window displays, or outside lights for your office) LEDs are a safe, affordable option.

Please check out our full wave LED holiday lights and contact us at 1-800-789-8598 for information on volume discounts.

Transform Your Space with LED Lighting

Posted on 09/18/201509/19/2016 by Conservation Mart

library before and after — Before and After
Photography: Graham Haber

Gone are the days when energy efficient lighting conjured up the image of a greenish buzzing haze. Vast improvements over the years, including the recent accessibility of LED options, have allowed people and companies to affordably transform their space.

Kugler Ning Lighting Design is a top, award-winning, New York City architectural lighting design firm. They won a number of awards at the NYC Illuminating Engineering Society 2015 Lumen Awards, including an Award of Merit for their lighting redesign of McKim, Mead & White Library.

New lighting was installed throughout the building, including LED tubes which replaced fluorescent tubes and dimmable LED bulbs were installed in lamps.

While Conservation Mart was not involved in this library renovation, we carry many LED troffers which can transform your living and working environments.

When choosing the right bulbs for your needs, you will want to consider the following five factors: wattage, lumens, base, color temperature, and maximum overall length (MOL). For a more detailed description of these attributes, please visit our informational web page on this topic.

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