LED Low Bay Lights

10 Important Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Low Bay LED Light

When your facility has ceilings under 20 feet, low bay LED lights deliver the optimal balance of energy efficiency and lighting performance. After 17 years of designing commercial lighting systems, we've seen these fixtures transform aircraft hangars, workshops, retail stores, and small warehouses with consistent, high-quality illumination.

1. Ceiling Height and Lumen Output

Matching lumen output to ceiling height ensures optimal light distribution without energy waste. Based on thousands of installations, here's what we typically recommend:

• 8-12 ft ceilings: Choose fixtures with 3,000-7,000 lumens
• 12-20 ft ceilings: Choose fixtures with 8,000-15,000 lumens
• Above 20 ft ceilings: check out our selection of high bay lights

A workshop with 10-foot ceilings running 5,000 lumen fixtures creates that sweet spot where visibility is excellent but workers aren't squinting from excessive brightness. Oversized fixtures waste energy while undersized ones create dangerous shadows.

2. Fixture Type: Linear vs. UFO

Linear Low Bay Lights:

• Warehouse aisles benefit from linear fixtures because the elongated design matches the space geometry perfectly
• Broad, even distribution covers more ground with fewer fixtures
• Direct replacement for aging fluorescent systems without rewiring

UFO Low Bay Lights:

• Round footprint concentrates light in open areas where pinpoint accuracy matters
• IP65 waterproof and IK08 impact-rated construction
• Metal halide retrofit projects favor UFO designs for mounting compatibility

3. Color Temperature

Color temperature affects both productivity and ambiance in measurable ways:

• 4000K (neutral white): Retail environments and office areas benefit from this balanced tone that feels inviting yet professional
• 5000K (daylight): Manufacturing and precision work areas see improved accuracy and reduced errors under crisp daylight simulation

4. Mounting Options

Installation flexibility depends on your mounting choice:

• Hooks and chains: Shop environments benefit from adjustable positioning to fine-tune task lighting without permanent modifications
• Surface mounts: Low ceiling installations use direct mounting for maximum headroom clearance
• Pendant mounts: Junction box connections work when electrical infrastructure is already in place

5. Beam Angle

We recommend beam angle selection based on your specific layout:

• Narrow angles (60°-90°): Workstations and assembly lines need focused illumination to eliminate shadows on detailed tasks
• Wide angles (120°): General area lighting requires broad coverage, making 120° beam spread our standard recommendation for most low bay applications

6. Energy Efficiency

• Quality fixtures deliver 130+ lumens per watt, ensuring maximum light output for every dollar spent on electricity
• Customers regularly report 75% energy reduction when switching from fluorescent or metal halide to LED low bay lighting

7. Adjustability

Advanced fixtures offer selectable wattage and color temperature through simple DIP switches. This post-installation flexibility lets you dial in the perfect lighting level without ordering multiple fixture types or making expensive changes later.

8. Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings

Environmental conditions determine the protection level you need:

• Dry indoor areas: IP40-rated fixtures handle normal dust and debris
• Dusty or damp spaces: IP65-rated construction prevents moisture intrusion and particle buildup
• Food processing or cleanroom environments: NSF certification meets strict sanitary requirements for food-safe applications

9. Motion Sensors and Controls

Smart controls multiply your energy savings beyond the LED conversion alone:

• Motion Sensors: Unoccupied areas automatically reduce to 20% power or switch off completely
• 1-10V Dimming: Task-specific brightness adjustment can cut power consumption by another 30-50% during low-activity periods

10. Certifications and Warranty

• Essential certifications include ETL Listed, UL Listed, and DLC Premium approval for safety compliance and rebate eligibility
• Our fixtures include comprehensive 5-year warranty coverage with USA-based support for peace of mind

Why Choose Our Low Bay LED Lights?

• Custom Solutions: Our product range spans retail showrooms to heavy industrial applications with fixtures rated for any environment
• Free Lighting Plans: Professional photometric analysis eliminates guesswork and ensures code compliance from day one
• Expert Support: Our 17+ years of commercial lighting experience means you get real-world recommendations, not generic spec sheets

Smart low bay LED selection starts with understanding your space requirements and operational needs. This guide provides the framework for making informed decisions. Our Product Specialists can provide personalized recommendations when you're ready to move forward.

What are The Benefits of LED Low Bay Lights?

Modern LED technology delivers measurable advantages over fluorescent and metal halide systems across multiple performance areas:

Energy savings: Facilities typically see 50% to 90% energy reduction on their first utility bill after installation. Manufacturing plants and warehouses often save thousands monthly on electricity costs alone.

Low maintenance: Quality LED fixtures operate maintenance-free for over 10 years. No more scheduling ladder time for bulb changes or dealing with failed ballasts that shut down entire sections.

Controls Ready: Built-in 1-10V dimming and sensor compatibility mean automatic power reduction during low-occupancy periods. Some customers achieve additional 30% savings through intelligent controls.

Safe Work Space: Flicker-free operation at 5000K daylight color reduces eye strain and improves focus during detailed work. Consistent illumination eliminates the shadows that contribute to workplace injuries.

Long Life: Premium fixtures deliver 50,000+ rated hours of reliable performance. That's equivalent to running 12 hours daily for over 11 years without a single failure.

Quick Pay Back / ROI: Energy savings typically recover your investment within 18-36 months. Higher local utility rates mean even faster payback periods for most commercial applications.

Environmental Impact: Mercury-free LED components avoid hazardous waste disposal fees required for fluorescent tubes. Recyclable aluminum housings support sustainability goals.

Instant On: Maximum brightness occurs immediately at startup. Workers get full illumination the moment they flip the switch, improving productivity and safety.

Higher lumen output: Modern fixtures produce 130+ lumens per watt compared to 65-80 from fluorescent systems. Brighter spaces use less energy than ever before.

Energy Savings and Fast ROI

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

Based on 12 hours/day, 365 days/year at $0.16/kWh

Metal Halide (460W)

Annual: $322.37 | 5-Year Cost: $1611.84 | 5-Year Savings: -

LED UFO Fixture (150W)

Annual: $105.12 | 5-Year Cost: $525.60 | 5-Year Savings: $21724.80

Single Fixture Annual Savings: $217.25 | 20 Fixture Annual Savings: $4345 | ROI Timeline: Under 7 months

Energy Reduction: 67% | 5-Year ROI: 19831% | Lamp Life: 50,000+ (LED) vs 15,000 (MH)

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications including DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals. These certifications ensure safety, performance, and energy efficiency while qualifying your project for utility rebates and tax incentives. DLC Premium certification guarantees the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

5 Year Warranty and Warranty 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. Our experienced support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues.

Get Expert Guidance Before You Buy

Our lighting specialists have designed solutions for facilities ranging from 2,000-square-foot workshops to 500,000-square-foot distribution centers. We provide complimentary custom lighting plans that show exact fixture placement and predicted light levels for your specific space. These detailed photometric calculations help you order the right quantity of fixtures while meeting all lighting codes. Our energy savings calculations factor in your local utility rates and operating hours to project precise monthly savings and payback timelines. This analysis takes the guesswork out of your purchase decision and provides concrete data for budget approval. Call our product specialists to discuss your specific application and receive professional recommendations based on your ceiling height, work requirements, and budget constraints.

LED Low Bay Lights FAQs

What are Low Bay LED Lights?

Low Bay LED lights are 8-20 foot ceiling fixtures delivering 10,000-25,000 lumens for warehouses, workshops, and retail spaces. They feature 120-degree optics for wide coverage and come in UFO, linear, and canopy configurations. Auto-adjusting drivers operate on 100-277V without manual voltage adjustment, making installation straightforward.

How Can You Remove Shadows and Dark Spots In a Space?

Deploy multiple lower-wattage fixtures with overlapping light patterns rather than fewer high-wattage units. For example, four 150W fixtures with 90-degree optics eliminate shadows better than two 300W fixtures. Uniform spacing at 1.5x mounting height creates even illumination without dark zones.

What Mounting Options Are Available for LED Low Bays?

Professional installations use four primary methods:

• Eye/hook mount for concrete ceilings
• Pendant mount for open beam structures
• Chain/wire suspension for adjustable height
• Surface ceiling mount for drywall installations

Can You Use Motion Sensors with LED Low Bay Lighting?

Many fixtures include integrated motion sensors with adjustable sensitivity and time delay settings. Microwave sensors detect movement through walls and shelving, while PIR sensors work best in open areas. Motion activation delivers 40-60% additional energy savings in intermittent-use spaces.

Do LED Low Bays Come with a Power Cord?

UFO fixtures include pre-wired leads for direct junction box connection. Linear and canopy styles typically require hardwired installation through conduit. Plug-end adapters can be added to wire whips for temporary installations, though permanent mounting is recommended for commercial applications.

Are there High Voltage Options for LED Low Bays?

Standard fixtures operate on 100-277V universal input covering most commercial applications. High-voltage models handle 347-480V three-phase systems common in industrial facilities. The auto-sensing drivers eliminate voltage compatibility issues during installation.

Are the LED Low Bays with an Emergency Battery Backup Option?

External emergency packs integrate with UFO fixtures while select linear models feature built-in battery backup. Emergency drivers provide 90-minute runtime at reduced output and automatically recharge when main power restores. UL 924 Listed units meet life safety code requirements.

Is Installing LED Low Bay Fixtures Difficult?

Installation requires basic electrical knowledge and three-wire connections: line, neutral, and ground. Auto-adjusting drivers eliminate voltage configuration steps. Mounting hardware accommodates various ceiling types, and most installations complete within 30 minutes per fixture.