The Cost of Not Converting to LED Lights

Converting to LED delivers quantifiable returns that many facility managers underestimate. After 17 years specializing in commercial lighting upgrades, we’ve documented energy savings typically ranging from 60-80% and maintenance cost reductions often exceeding 90%*. As electricity rates continue rising nationwide, facilities running lights 12+ hours daily often see payback periods under 18 months.

*Actual savings vary based on local utility rates, existing equipment, and usage patterns. Calculations should include installation costs and utility incentives where available.

1. Calculate Your Potential Energy Savings

Consider a standard 400-watt metal halide fixture common in parking lots and warehouses. While the bulb draws 400 watts, the ballast adds another 50-60 watts for a total consumption of 455 watts per hour.

We typically recommend LED replacements producing equivalent lumens at 100-150 watts, depending on your specific lighting requirements and application needs.

Real-World Energy Comparison

For a parking lot fixture operating 12 hours nightly, most customers choose our 100-watt LED fixtures producing 15,500 lumens at 155 lumens per watt to replace 400-watt metal halide units.

Annual consumption breakdown:

• 400-Watt Metal Halide: 455 watts × 4,380 hours = 1,993 kilowatts yearly
• 100-Watt LED Replacement: 100 watts × 4,380 hours = 438 kilowatts yearly

Using $0.12 per kilowatt-hour as an example (rates vary significantly by region and utility):

• Metal Halide annual cost: $239.14 per fixture
• LED annual cost: $52.56 per fixture
• Potential annual savings per fixture: $186.58

100-fixture facility example:

• Metal Halide annual electricity: $23,914
• LED annual electricity: $5,256
• Potential total annual savings: $18,658

2. Reduce Maintenance Costs with LED Longevity

Beyond electricity savings, LED conversions can eliminate much of the maintenance burden associated with traditional lighting systems. Maintenance cost reduction stems from three primary factors:

• Reduced replacement part costs
• Lower labor expenses
• Elimination of equipment rental fees for high-bay installations

Understanding LED Lifespan Ratings

L70 Rating: Measures when the LED output drops to 70% of its initial brightness. This doesn’t represent fixture failure – LEDs continue operating well beyond L70. Quality LEDs typically reach L70 between 80,000 and 120,000 hours while remaining functional.

Actual LED Life: Determined by driver longevity rather than LED degradation. Quality drivers typically operate 50,000-65,000 hours before failure. At 12 hours of daily operation, this provides over 11 years of service life.

Maintenance Cost Comparison

Metal halide bulbs average 15,000-hour lifespans, with 50% lumen output halfway through their cycle. During a single LED driver’s lifetime, you would need to replace metal halide bulbs approximately four times, plus ballast replacement.

Typical maintenance requirements over 11 years:

• Four metal halide bulb replacements at $45-75 each
• One ballast replacement at $85-120
• Labor costs (multiplied by fixture height and accessibility)
• Equipment rental for high installations

Many facilities report maintenance savings exceeding $200 per fixture over the LED driver lifespan, not including productivity losses from lighting downtime.

3. Improve Light Quality and Color Rendering

LED quality extends beyond efficiency to Color Rendering Index (CRI), which measures how accurately colors appear under artificial lighting. CRI scales from 0-100, with natural sunlight scoring 100.

High-quality lighting transforms work environments. Colors appear vibrant and true rather than washed out or distorted. High pressure sodium fixtures common in street lighting score poor CRI ratings around 25, creating the characteristic yellow appearance that distorts colors.

Applications Requiring High CRI

Retail environments benefit significantly from superior color rendering because attractive product presentation influences purchasing decisions. Car dealerships use high-CRI lighting to showcase vehicle paint and interior details accurately.

Standard LEDs offer 70+ CRI, with premium options reaching 95+ CRI for critical applications. This flexibility makes LED suitable for diverse commercial lighting requirements from warehouses to showrooms.

4. Enhance Safety and Security

Well-lit environments directly impact safety perceptions and customer behavior. Bright, evenly distributed lighting in parking areas encourages evening foot traffic while potentially deterring unwanted activity.

LEDs maintain consistent brightness throughout their lifespan, unlike metal halide bulbs that dim significantly before failure. This consistency helps maintain lighting standards without frequent bulb replacement.

Quality LED installations combine:

• High lumen output matching or exceeding existing fixtures
• Superior 70+ CRI color rendering
• Precise optical control to eliminate dark spots

5. Eliminate Hazardous Material Disposal Costs

Mercury content in fluorescent and HID bulbs creates ongoing disposal costs and environmental compliance requirements. Most jurisdictions prohibit disposing of mercury-containing bulbs in regular waste streams due to groundwater contamination risks.

Important: Mercury exposure from broken bulbs requires specific cleanup protocols. Commercial facilities should consult EPA guidelines and use certified disposal services. Never attempt to clean mercury spills without proper training and equipment.

Disposal Cost Considerations

Commercial recycling programs typically charge $0.50-2.00 per linear foot for fluorescent disposal, plus transportation costs. Large facilities can accumulate substantial annual disposal expenses.

LED fixtures contain no mercury or hazardous materials, eliminating special disposal requirements. Standard electronic recycling handles end-of-life LED components.

Why Choose LED Lighting Supply for Your Commercial Project

Selecting appropriate LED fixtures requires technical analysis that goes beyond basic product specifications. Our specialists evaluate your specific conditions, including:

• Ambient temperature ranges
• Mounting heights and accessibility
• Existing electrical infrastructure
• Required photometric performance

We provide complimentary custom lighting plans with precise fixture placement and energy savings calculations tailored to your facility. This technical approach helps avoid common issues like insufficient light levels, poor uniformity, or premature driver failures.

Our 17 years of specializing exclusively in LED technology mean you receive proven recommendations based on real-world commercial applications rather than generic product suggestions.

Ready to calculate your potential savings? Contact our lighting specialists for a custom analysis of your facility’s conversion opportunities and available utility incentives.

Professional installation recommended. Qualified electricians should perform electrical work in accordance with local codes and safety requirements.