Steve Gardner, Managing Director of EcoLightingUK talks about LED technology and the results they are achieving in warehouses and distribution centres
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting.
Notwithstanding the maintenance benefits, LED is a highly energy efficient controllable lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United Kingdom.
The high efficiency and directional nature of LEDs makes them ideal for many industrial uses, particularly warehousing and manufacturing environments where varying degrees of occupancy are required. The desire for lower energy bills is driving the demand for replacement lighting installations, particularly from larger warehousing and distribution centres that operate 24-hours a day.
On Ecolighting projects we are typically seeing a 24% increase in light output and a 26% reduction in energy over existing energy efficient products in the market today.
We can programme timers so that when the sensors detect movement, the lights in that zone can remain on for a period lasting anytime from 10 seconds right up to 72 hours. With this level of control, we can ensure that lighting is truly relative to activity. This means that when they are on, businesses can afford to pay for them as it is getting a contribution further up the supply chain to perform that activity and when there is no activity required, they are off.
Typically, this results in customers making energy savings in excess of 70%. Return on investment is rapid and is usually within one to three years.
In addition to substantial economic benefits, having industrial LED lighting also provides a sustainable contribution towards the fulfilment of long-term environmental objectives for storage and distribution operators. Significantly lower energy consumption means a reduced carbon footprint and less impact on the environment.
Aside from the financial and environmental factors, the most obvious and instant benefit of LED lighting is the superior light quality that the new technology generates. The result of a lighter and brighter working environment is improved visibility and enhanced workplace safety for employees. Our experience at Ecolighting is that workforces are delighted with the improvements in their working environments, an inevitable result of an installation.
Ecolighting designs, manufactures and installs industrial LED lighting in premises throughout the country. As one of the UK leaders in LED lighting solutions to commerce and industry, EcolightingUK has worked with many other big name companies such as Amazon, Bibby Distribution, Caterpillar, Disney, Kuehne Nagel, Debenhams, Carlsberg, Culina, Cadbury, Great Bear, Ocado and Toyota.