Choosing the Best LED Warehouse Light for your Space

One of the most important decisions for your warehouse is which lights to use. Choosing correctly can create an environment that fosters, safety, efficiency and productivity in your warehouse space.

From the most basic choices to the most complex light sources to use, there can be many options that may work for your warehouse. You should narrow your selection down based on cost, environment, ceiling height, needed light distribution, and durability needs.

Yes, LED lights can, and should be, used in warehouse settings. They focus light more directly than traditional incandescent light fixtures, ensuring efficient and effective lighting in warehouse spaces. LED lights outshine traditional fluorescent, induction, or metal halide lights due to their exceptional longevity and energy efficiency. Opting for LED technology among various installation choices promises a superior experience at a lower cost.

Compared to LEDs, HIDs require warm-up and cool-down periods, making them vulnerable to power surges. They are inferior to LEDs because they have a shorter lifespan, consume more energy, and emit a less natural light. This results in higher maintenance costs, inefficiency in energy usage, and less visually appealing lighting. LEDs offer longer lifespans, lower energy consumption, and better controllability, making them a superior choice for lighting solutions.

Fluorescents can be sensitive to extreme temperatures and frequent on/off cycles. This will make these less suitable for areas with temperature fluctuations. LEDs, on the other hand, regulate temperature and energy waste more effectively to create light without much heat generation.

When considering lighting options for warehouses, it's important to factor in the characteristics of each type of lighting. Overall, there are several types of LED fixtures suitable for manufacturing and packaging environments.

• High Bay LED lights High Bay Lights are high output lights that shoot light downward in high ceiling settings. High bays see use in areas where ceiling heights are 15ft or higher. Mainly because LED high bay lights offer low maintenance costs. Not to mention their low energy consumptions, long lifespans, and minimal temperature sensitivities. Bay lights come in two types: Linear or UFO high bays.
• UFO High Bay: When deciding on lighting for warehouses and other commercial spaces, UFO high bays are a simple yet effective solution. When deciding on lighting for warehouses and other commercial spaces, UFO high bays are a simple yet effective solution. Their compact, circular design makes them highly durable and energy-efficient. Their shape give them their name as it resembles a ufo saucer.
• Linear High Bay: Unlike the saucer-like UFO high bays, Linear high bays are long, rectangular fixtures. Modern linear LED high bay lighting fixtures have become the standard replacement for traditional HID, T5, or T8 Fluorescent bay lights. This is mostly because they offer superior energy efficiency and performance. These fixtures offer both practicality and affordability as high-functioning warehouse lighting solutions that illuminate large spaces with efficiency and precision.
• LED Vapor Tight: LED vapor tight lights are durable and waterproof fixtures designed to withstand harsh environments, making them ideal for warehouse lighting where dust, moisture, and debris are common. These lights provide bright and even illumination while ensuring energy efficiency and long-lasting performance, making them perfect options for maintaining optimal visibility and safety.
• LED Tube lights: LED tube lights are energy-efficient lighting solutions that serve as alternatives to traditional fluorescent tube lights. They offer several advantages, including longer lifespans, lower energy consumption, and reduced maintenance costs. LED tube lights are available in various sizes and configurations, making them versatile options for both residential and commercial lighting applications.
• LED Corn bulbs: Corn bulb lights are LED lamps shaped like a corn cob, known for their high brightness and omnidirectional illumination. They're energy-efficient alternatives to traditional bulbs, ideal for outdoor and indoor lighting in various settings, providing long-lasting performance and significant energy savings. Their versatility and durability make them popular choices for street lighting, parking lots, warehouses, and other commercial or industrial applications.

• LED Work Lights: LED work lights are portable lighting solutions equipped with LED bulbs, designed to provide bright and focused illumination for various tasks and projects. These lights offer energy efficiency, durability, and long lifespans, making them ideal for use in workshops, construction sites, garages, and outdoor work areas. With their lightweight and compact designs, LED work lights offer convenience and versatility, allowing users to easily move and position them as needed to enhance visibility and productivity.

While it might not seem like a big deal, the color temperature of warehouse lighting actually matters a lot. Color temperatures between 4000K and 5000K are ideal choices for many commercial settings like warehouses. This is mostly because this range of lighting no matter the light fixture, offers, cool white, sometimes blue tint, lighting.

Studies show that color temperatures between 4000K and 5000K reduce eyestrain and keep workers more alert throughout the day.

Typically, warehouses need one of two types of light distribution types, either I or V. This is mostly depending upon the layout and floor plan design of the warehouse itself versus other factors. The factors that may influence which type of light distribution type you may need for your warehouse includes:

• Spaces and Tall Shelves: This combination of space usage will more than likely require Type I distribution. This form of distribution projects a long and narrow (between 10 and 18°) light pattern. This distribution type also ensures that none of the tall shelves block any of the linear high bay light preventing loss.
• Spacious and free floorplans: Type V distribution may be necessary if your warehouse has a more open floor plan or expansive layout. This is mostly because this form of light pattern emits light in wide spreads (from 70 and 100°) from all sides of the fixture. Using a diffuser, you can shape the light beam to be more circular or square.

Investing in the right warehouse lighting can lower utility bills, improve working conditions, and boost productivity while also promoting environmental durability and ensuring safety. Consider these factors when choosing the right LED warehouse light:

• Fixture spacing: The spacing of a warehouses' light fixture is critical for the warehouse environment. Properly spacing light fixtures avoids hot spots, glares, drop offs, or dark areas.
• Ceiling Height: High ceilings require different light fixtures to maximize appropriate lighting. In this case, led high bays are the best selection as they are perfect for lighting ceiling heights 15ft or higher.
• Light controls and automation: Technology have made smart lighting control systems a key player in optimizing warehouse lighting. Adding lighting controls allow you to adjust lighting zones, schedules and intensity remotely.
• Regular Maintenance: Maintaining your led warehouse lights starts with following simple maintenance steps. These routines can and will extend the life of your lighting system, enduring that it always operates at its peak. Try incorporating cleaning the fixtures, replacing bulbs periodically, and checking for electrical issues.
• Emergency lighting: Safety should always be a main priority for any warehouse environment. It is important that all warehouses have emergency lighting systems set in place that comply with safety regulations. Regularly maintaining and testing emergency lighting systems is essential to make sure they work when required.
• Natural lighting: Using natural light is another effective way to reduce energy consumption in a warehouse. Consider installing skylights or large windows where natural lights can shine through. Natural light can help to reduce the need for artificial light, reducing consumption costs.
• Consider task lighting: Including tasks lighting into specific workstations or areas will require focused lighting. This form of lighting ensures that warehouse inhabitants have the right amount to light precisely where they need it.
• Color Rendering: CRI, or Color Rendering Index, reflects how accurately light reveals true colors, crucial for clarity in warehouses. Opt for lights with a CRI of 90 or higher to ensure accurate color distinction, boosting efficiency. Consider the color temperature too; warmer tones create comfort, cooler tones enhance focus. Balancing both improves warehouse lighting quality, offering environmental benefits and long-term cost savings.