Commercial LED Parking Lot Lights

What are LED Parking Lot Lights?

LED Lighting Supply parking lot lights are outdoor LED shoebox lights designed to light up parking lots, car parks, parking garages, and other outdoor areas. They are a leading LED commercial lighting option for public safety and creating a well-lit outdoor space. Power ranges from 100 Watts to 500 Watts, and they are available in 3000K, 4000K, and 5000K color temperatures.

Many fixtures feature toggle switches for wattage and lumen adjustability, depending on model, allowing you to fine-tune light output after installation. Standard voltage (100-277V) and High Voltage (277-480V) are available.

Commercial LED Parking Lot Lights are known for energy efficiency, with savings of 50% or more over HID lights. Most are control-ready and can be equipped with photocells for dusk-to-dawn operation.

The U.S. Department of Energy confirms that LED lighting technology offers significant energy savings for commercial outdoor applications. DOE's LED lighting guidance emphasizes that LED fixtures can reduce energy consumption by 75% compared to traditional incandescent and HID lighting systems while lasting 25 times longer.

Some models can be equipped with motion sensors so the lights can dim when no activity is in the area. In addition to shoebox lights, LED area lights are also available for large areas, providing both functional and aesthetic lighting solutions.

Our customer upgraded their parking lot in New England with our high-power LED shoebox lights

How to Choose the Right LED Lighting Supply Parking Lot Light Fixture

The following factors can impact the right fixture for your needs, subject to site conditions:

Professional lighting design follows established industry standards for optimal performance and safety. The Illuminating Engineering Society provides comprehensive recommended practices for parking lot lighting that address uniformity ratios, light levels, and distribution patterns. IES recommended practices help ensure proper visibility and security while minimizing light pollution and energy waste.

Our customer used our LED parking lot lights to upgrade from high-pressure sodium fixtures

How Many LED Lumens Do You Need to Replace a Metal Halide Parking Lot Outdoor Lighting Fixture?

Mounting Options for LED Parking Lot Lights

To achieve optimal light spread and coverage, LED parking lot lights offer a range of mounting options. Common choices include pole mounts, slip fitters, and yoke mounts, allowing for installation on light poles, building walls, or other structures. The right mounting option depends on the lighting needs and fixture type.

Proper installation is essential to ensure that the lights are securely fastened and positioned for maximum effectiveness, delivering uniform illumination without dark spots or wasted energy. Arm mounts are also available, providing adjustable angles and extension for targeted lighting of specific zones within a parking lot.

** Final fixture selection and installation must comply with local electrical codes, pole and foundation load requirements, and should be performed by licensed professionals.

Certifications and Quality Standards

All our parking lot lights meet rigorous safety and performance standards. Our fixtures are UL Listed or ETL Listed for safety compliance. Most fixtures are also DLC Listed or DLC Premium certified, ensuring they meet strict energy efficiency requirements and qualify for utility rebates. These certifications confirm that our fixtures meet industry standards for performance, safety, and energy efficiency.

Safety certifications are crucial for commercial lighting installations. UL Listed certification ensures electrical safety and performance standards are met.

The Design Lights Consortium sets the industry standard for high-performance commercial lighting products. DLC qualification ensures that LED fixtures meet stringent efficacy, power quality, and performance requirements. DLC's Qualified Products List helps facility managers and lighting professionals identify energy-efficient products that qualify for utility incentives and rebates nationwide.

Warranty and Support

All our lights come with at least a 5-year warranty, and all warranty support is based in the USA. We take customer support seriously, and helping you with a warranty claim is important to us.

Benefits of our LED Commercial Parking Lot Lights

• Energy savings are a key reason to upgrade to LED parking lot lights. Expect 50% reduced costs over traditional outdoor lighting fixtures. This reduction in energy use impacts your monthly utility bills. LED lights will reduce your amp load, often eliminating the need to upgrade your electrical panel during retrofit. Compared to older sources like HID lamps, LED lighting offers superior energy savings and lower operational costs year after year.
• Minimal maintenance requirements create substantial labor and material cost savings over time. HID Metal Halide bulbs typically need replacing at around 15,000 hours of operation and lose significant brightness throughout their lifespan. For parking lot lighting requiring consistently bright illumination, you may find yourself replacing bulbs much sooner than expected. HID lamps also require ballast replacements and more frequent maintenance compared to long-life LEDs.
• Instant on and instant off capability eliminates the lengthy warm-up time associated with traditional lighting. Metal halide fixtures can take several minutes to reach full brightness after being switched on. LED parking lot lights reach full illumination immediately, enhancing security and providing immediate visibility.
• Superior compatibility with motion sensors and photocells opens up additional energy-saving opportunities. Because LED lights can turn on and off instantly without affecting lifespan, they integrate seamlessly with automated lighting controls for further energy reduction.
• Advanced dimming capabilities are available in select LED models. For commercial parking lot applications, dimming allows you to lower light levels when the area is empty or during low-traffic periods. These lights work well with dimming motion sensors that detect occupancy and adjust brightness.
• Effective light pollution control addresses environmental and regulatory concerns. LED parking lot lights can be equipped with back shields and precision optics to direct light downward. If your facility needs to meet dark sky compliance requirements, these fixtures provide the technical solutions needed.
• Superior light quality enhances visibility and security. Higher color rendering index values and longer lifetime produce consistently better lighting results. LED technologies deliver high brightness levels and maintain that brightness throughout their lifespan, ensuring adequate lighting and visibility for large outdoor areas.
• Color temperature adjustability provides flexibility for different applications and preferences. Many parking lot lights feature onboard toggle switches that allow you to choose the color temperature after installation, depending on the model. Typical adjustment options range between 3000K and 5000K, letting you fine-tune the lighting appearance to match surrounding fixtures or meet specific requirements.
• Wattage adjustability offers control over light output and energy consumption. These advanced parking lot lights include onboard toggle switches that allow you to choose the power output based on actual site conditions, depending on the model. This flexibility means you can select the optimal light output even after installation, ensuring you're not over-lighting or under-lighting the area while maximizing energy efficiency.

We were asked to recommend a parking lot fixture to replace 400 Watts High Pressure Sodium. The customer said our lights made the area brighter and safer

What are the Cost Savings and ROI When You Convert from Metal Halide to LED?

150W LED Parking Lot Lights vs 400W Metal Halide Replacement (with ballast)

Assumptions: Based on 12 hours/day, 365 days/year at $0.20/kWh, 20 fixture(s), and a 15% ballast factor applied to the metal halide wattage (400W lamp + 15% ballast = ~ 460W input).
•  Energy cost and ROI calculations are based on energy savings only and assume an LED fixture cost of $193.00 per fixture.
• Maintenance savings from reduced bulb and ballast replacements are not included in these calculations.

In this example with 20 fixture(s), total LED fixture investment is approximately $3,860.00, and estimated annual energy-only savings are $5,431.20. Simple payback based on energy savings alone is under 9 months. Maintenance savings from eliminating metal halide bulb and ballast replacements provide additional value throughout the fixture's 50,000-hour lifespan, but are not included in this ROI calculation.

Maintenance Cost Savings

Over the 50,000+ hour lifespan of LED fixtures, you'll save significantly on maintenance costs. Metal Halide bulbs require replacement every 15,000 hours, meaning fewer replacements per LED fixture lifespan. With 20 fixtures, this eliminates 60-80 bulb replacements plus associated ballast replacements. At approximately $75 per service call, including labor and parts, the maintenance savings exceed $4,500 over the LED fixture lifespan.

Expert Support That Goes Beyond Product Selection

LED Lighting Supply provides complimentary custom lighting plans created by our experienced product specialists for your specific parking lot or facility. Our team performs detailed energy savings calculations based on your current fixtures and usage patterns to show exact cost reductions and payback timelines. With 15+ years in commercial lighting, our product specialists understand parking lot illumination standards and can recommend an efficient solution for your space. We handle complex projects involving multiple fixture types and mounting configurations. This professional consultation service ensures you purchase exactly what you need while avoiding costly over-specification or under-lighting issues that can compromise safety and security.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

After 15+ years of installing parking lot lighting, I've seen the same mistakes cost facility managers thousands and create dangerous dark zones. Most problems happen during fixture selection when people assume all LED fixtures perform the same.

• Using residential-grade fixtures for parking lot applications. These fail within 18 months under continuous operation. Always specify commercial grade with DLC certification and a minimum IP65 weather rating for outdoor use.
• Matching HID wattage directly to LED wattage during replacement, as covered in the Quick Selection Guide above - refer to the LED replacement infographic for proper conversion ratios.
• Ordering the wrong mounting hardware without checking the existing poles first. Slip fitter, yoke mount, and arm brackets are not interchangeable. Measure your existing setup before ordering to avoid expensive returns and delays.
• Selecting Type V optics for perimeter poles or building-mounted fixtures. This wastes light into neighboring properties and creates light trespass violations. Use Type III optics for perimeter mounting and save Type V for interior pole locations.
• Installing fixtures without considering pole height and spacing requirements. Match fixture output to mounting height using proper photometric calculations - refer to our lighting plan service mentioned above.
• Choosing fixed output fixtures instead of adjustable models. Site conditions rarely match initial plans. Fixtures with toggle switches for wattage and color temperature prevent costly replacements when you need output adjustments.
• Forgetting to verify the voltage before ordering drivers, as detailed in the selection table above, many parking lots run 277V or 480V circuits, not standard 120V.
• Skipping photocell integration during initial installation. Adding dusk-to-dawn controls later requires separate service calls and additional wiring work. Plan for photocells during the retrofit to maximize energy savings from day one.

Commercial LED Parking Lot Lights Frequently Asked Questions

What are LED parking lot lights?

LED parking lot lights are outdoor shoebox fixtures in 100-500 watt power ranges with 3000K, 4000K, and 5000K color temperature options. Many models feature toggle switches for post-installation wattage and color temperature adjustment.

What are the benefits of LED parking lot lights?

LED parking lot lights deliver 50% or more energy savings over HID systems, 50,000+ hour lifespan versus 15,000 hours for metal halide, and instant-on capability for photocell and motion sensor integration.

How do I choose the right LED parking lot light?

Confirm mounting height (10-50 feet), existing circuit voltage (100-277V or 277-480V), and mount type compatibility. Select Type III optics for perimeter or building mounts and Type V for interior poles - validate with a photometric plan.

What wattage LED replaces a 400W metal halide?

A 100W LED typically replaces a 400W metal halide based on lumen output, not wattage. Do not match HID wattage directly to LED wattage.

What mounting options are available?

Slip fitter, yoke mount, and arm brackets are available. Measure existing poles to confirm compatibility before ordering.

What certifications do your parking lot lights have?

Fixtures are UL Listed or ETL Listed for safety compliance. Most fixtures are DLC Listed or DLC Premium certified for utility rebate eligibility.

What warranty is included?

All lights include at least a 5-year warranty with USA-based support.

Can LED parking lot lights work with photocells and motion sensors?

Most fixtures accommodate photocells and motion sensors. Specify control integration during initial order for optimal installation.

What color temperatures are available?

3000K, 4000K, and 5000K are available. Many models feature toggle switches for post-installation color temperature adjustment.

When should I use LED parking lot lights?

Use for mounting heights 10-50 feet, HID replacement projects targeting 50%+ energy savings, applications requiring instant-on capability, and sites needing dark sky compliance with precision optics and back shields.

When should I NOT use LED parking lot lights?

Verify explosion-proof ratings for hazardous location requirements. Confirm structural capacity with an engineer if existing poles cannot support fixture weight. Use commercial-grade DLC certified fixtures rather than residential-grade for parking lot applications.

What optics should I select?

Use Type III for perimeter and building mounts and Type V for interior poles. Final optics selection should be confirmed with site layout and validated with a photometric plan.

What voltage options are available?

Standard (100-277V) and High Voltage (277-480V) options are available. Verify existing circuit voltage before ordering.

Do you provide lighting plans?

Lighting plans include proper optics selection based on pole locations, energy savings calculations with payback timeline, and fixture spacing recommendations. Final selection should be validated with a photometric plan and confirmed by a licensed professional when required.

What common mistakes should I avoid?

Avoid using residential-grade fixtures instead of commercial-grade DLC certified products, matching HID wattage directly to LED wattage, and ordering mounting hardware without measuring existing poles first.