Benefits of Using LED Lighting in Your Workplace

Given that a huge 20% of the UK’s overall energy consumption can be handed exclusively to lighting, it is extremely likely that it also accounts for a significant chunk of your business’s electricity bill. This means that the way you use power to efficiently light your workplace can help to dramatically cut your costs.

Have you considered LED lighting?

LED stands for ‘light-emitting diode’ and unlike normal bulbs, they work by passing electrons through a semiconductor. This means that they don’t get hot and they don’t contain fragile filaments which are prone to burning out – this makes them a longer lasting alternative to commonly used incandescent filament lighting.

Not only are LED’s more resilient than most commonly used bulbs but they consume less than 80% of the electricity of traditional lighting which means they can shave significant savings from your energy bills. Homeowners are already seeing the benefits, with an increasing number of domestic properties making the switch and reducing bill spend. However, the potential use for businesses is much greater – along with the potential savings.

What are the benefits of using LED lighting in workplaces?

• LED lighting is a more energy-efficient alternative to filament, halogen and strip lighting
• They can be readily turned on and off without diminishing their lifespan
• LED bulbs are more durable than existing methods
• They have a reliable, bright white light and do not need time to warm up before working to full strength
• Energy company E.ON is in the middle of a drive to replace much of its buildings’ lighting with LEDs, in a scheme that will save 178 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, and pay for itself in savings within 7 years
• Since there are no filaments, LEDs can withstand a greater intensity of vibration and shock than standard lights and can therefore be used outside as well as inside
• While LEDs are offered in a variety of base colours such as red, green, blue and amber they can also be blended to produce millions of colour options
• LED lights are eco-friendly – they contain no mercury or other harmful gasses or emit any harmful UV rays
• 13w LED light emits 68pc less carbon dioxide than a standard 40w incandescent bulb, running 10 hours per day
• In a commercial building filled with halogen bulbs, swapping out these bright but inefficient lights could see businesses reduce their lighting bills by a massive 90pc

So, what’s the catch?

Although we are seeing LED prices falling rapidly, they are still initially expensive to buy compared to fluorescent tubes and filament lighting options. This may put businesses off in the short term, but it’s important to understand that in the long term, LED installations can save businesses significant savings.

For example, in 2012 E. ON replaced all existing lighting with LEDs in one of their sites as an experimental exercise. The company installed 1,200 LED luminaires with a lifespan of three times that of the systems they were replacing and using around 55 pc less energy. Overall, the £434,000 scheme will save £82,000 every year, and pay for itself by mid-2017.

You can find out more about LED lighting options here.

At Exchange Utility, we are always searching for ways that we can save our customers money on their energy overheads. If you would like to speak to us to arrange a business energy audit or to discuss a gas and electricity comparison, get in touch today on 0800 464 0996.

We can find cost-effective prices for you from our vast panel of UK suppliers based on your usage. On average, we can save businesses up to 47% off their monthly bills based on a standard out-of-contract rate.