Ballast & Bulb Replacement
What lighting solution is best for my business
If you’re running a business where you need 24/7 illumination, your commercial lighting bill could be a significant portion of your monthly expenses.
That’s why it’s important to know that you’re using the right lighting solution and light bulb combination.
If you’re not sure, John Doerksen Electrical can take a look and perform a ballast and bulb replacement if there is a better lighting solution for your business.
Is there a difference between commercial and residential light fixtures?
In short, yes there is a difference.
Commercial lighting is designed to illuminate the business premises, both indoor and outdoor, in a way that business activities can be carried out in a safe way. There are various options when it comes to colours, designs, and intensities.
Take commercial ballasts, for example. They are designed for use with fluorescent lights, which limit current to the fluorescent bulbs, preventing them from increasing uncontrollably, overheating and eventually burning out.
The ballast is matched for specific compatibility to the light bulbs it uses. Compare this to residential fluorescent lights, where the commercial version produce stronger magnetic interference, in addition to more heat. That’s why proper installation from a licensed Winnipeg electrician is so important – to protect against fire hazards and electronic interference with your computers, etc.
What light bulb type is best for my business?
- Fluorescent lighting: These are probably the most common commercial lighting solution. Fluorescents and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use about one-fifth to one-third the electricity as an incandescent and last about ten times longer. The lumen ratings (the amount of light it produces) are comparable to incandescent. CFLs are interchangeable with incandescent lights in standard light sockets. Note that all fluorescent lights contain mercury and should be disposed of in accordance with local laws.
- Halogen lighting: Halogens are about two times more efficient than incandescent lights. They produce a very bright white light and are normally used in outdoor environments, such as parking lot lighting, etc.
- LED lighting: The light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the most efficient and longest lasting of all lighting solutions. They typically use about 75% less energy than an incandescent light and last anywhere from 35 to 50 times longer. There are downsides to LED as well. For example, outdoor lights may not get hot enough to melt snow or ice build up.
- Incandescent lighting: Being that the technology around incandescent lighting is a bit older, these lights are less efficient than other lighting solution and best used for task lighting that requires high levels of brightness. There a few types of incandescent lighting, which include general service (standard), reflectorized, and xenon.
- HID/Metal halide lighting: HID lights (high-intensity discharge) have a long life cycle and are very efficient while producing large amounts of very bright light. The one downside to these lights is that they may not produce pleasing light colours. They are most commonly found in warehouses and industrial settings.