Commercial LED Area Lights

What are LED Area Lights?

Commercial LED area lights are outdoor fixtures designed for lighting large spaces like parking lots, sports facilities, and industrial yards. With over 15 years in commercial lighting, we have seen these fixtures used in everything from small retail parking areas to large distribution centers. Available in wattages from 50W to 1200W, our area lights provide high lumen output and operate on standard 120-277V or 347-480V building power.

Modern LED area lights are effective retrofit solutions for older HID systems. Integrated drivers adapt to your building's voltage, reducing compatibility issues during upgrades. Shoebox designs work well for parking lot pole mounting, while flood-style area lights offer flexibility for building facades and perimeter security. Most customers select 4000K or 5000K color temperatures for visibility and safety in commercial environments.

What Different Types of LED Area Lights Are Available?

• LED flood lights: Versatile flood fixtures offer power options from 50W to 1200W with multiple mounting configurations. Various optic packages provide beam angles from 15 deg to 120 deg for precise light control. These fixtures are used for building facades, loading docks, and irregular-shaped outdoor areas that need flexible positioning.
• LED high mast lights: Designed for mounting heights of 60 feet and above, these powerful fixtures illuminate ports, airports, and container yards. High-output models producing 40,000 to 180,000 lumens distribute light across large spaces while reducing the number of required poles.
• LED shoebox lights: The standard for parking lot illumination, shoebox fixtures mount on 15-35 foot poles with slip-fitter or arm mounting. Available in 100W to 600W configurations, they provide uniform coverage patterns ideal for rectangular parking areas and roadways. These are the most common lights used for LED parking lot lights.
• LED pole top lights: Post-top fixtures provide illumination for parks, walkways, and decorative applications. Round and acorn-style housings combine aesthetics with functionality while providing 360-degree light distribution.
• LED solar area lighting: Self-contained solar systems eliminate electrical infrastructure costs in remote locations. Advanced battery technology enables 3-5 nights of autonomous operation while producing up to 20,000 lumens during peak demand periods.
• LED stadium lights: High-performance fixtures designed for athletic facilities and large outdoor venues. These powerful units generate 40,000 to 180,000 lumens with precise beam control to meet demanding illumination requirements for sports and broadcast applications.
• LED wall packs: Building-mounted fixtures provide perimeter security and general area lighting. Compact designs with forward throw optics maximize ground coverage while minimizing building glare and light pollution.

Each fixture category serves specific architectural and functional requirements. We help customers select the right combination of wattage, optics, and mounting based on site geometry, existing infrastructure, and local lighting codes.

How Many LED Lumens Do You Need To Replace Metal Halide Area Lighting?

Successful LED retrofits require matching both lumen output and light distribution patterns from your existing HID fixtures. Based on thousands of retrofit projects, we have developed these lumen replacement guidelines using actual field performance. LED efficiency allows lower lumen outputs to achieve similar illumination due to better light quality and distribution control.

Actual requirements vary based on mounting height, spacing, and application needs. A professional lighting calculation considers factors like uniformity ratios, foot-candle requirements, and local code compliance. We provide photometric analysis at no charge to help ensure your retrofit delivers good results and energy savings.

Many lighting professionals use the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommended practices for determining appropriate light levels and uniformity in outdoor areas. For more information on lighting calculations and standards, refer to the IES's ANSI/IES RP-8-21: Recommended Practice for Design and Maintenance of Roadway and Parking Facility Lighting.

Safety and Performance Certifications

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

Industry certifications provide important validation of LED fixture performance and safety standards. The Design Lights Consortium (DLC) Qualified Products List sets efficiency requirements for utility rebate eligibility, while UL safety certification ensures electrical safety and compliance with national electrical codes for outdoor lighting installations.

The National Electrical Code (NEC), published by NFPA, sets requirements for safe electrical installation and operation of lighting systems, including outdoor area lighting. For more information on electrical safety and code compliance, visit the NFPA 70: National Electrical Code.

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 handle customer support directly and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues. Our support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational.

What are the Benefits of Using LED Area Lights?

• Energy Efficient: Achieve 50 to 80 percent energy savings compared to metal halide and HPS fixtures. The U.S. Department of Energy confirms that LED technology delivers significant energy savings for outdoor area lighting. According to the DOE's Outdoor Area Lighting guidance, LED fixtures typically use 50-70% less energy than traditional high-intensity discharge systems while providing better light quality and longer operational life.
• Superior Light Quality: LEDs convert electricity into usable light, not waste heat. High CRI ratings above 80 create clear illumination that improves visibility and enhances property appearance.
• Utility Rebates: Most fixtures carry DLC Premium certification, qualifying them for utility rebate programs. These incentives often offset 20-40% of your initial investment costs.
• Reduced Maintenance: LED fixtures do not require bulb or ballast replacements during their operational life. Since area lights are mounted at heights that require lifts or bucket trucks, this reduces maintenance costs.
• Precision Optics: Choose from Type I through Type V distributions plus narrow to wide beam angles for targeted light placement. Proper optics help eliminate dark spots and light trespass while maximizing coverage efficiency.
• Enhanced Safety: Consistent, high-quality illumination reduces liability risks and deters criminal activity. Well-lit areas help prevent accidents and create safer environments for employees and visitors. OSHA's safety standards specify minimum illumination requirements for work areas, and the Illuminating Engineering Society provides guidance on recommended lighting practices for parking facilities to ensure adequate visibility and security.
• Extended Lifespan: LED fixtures operate for 50,000 to 100,000 hours compared to 15,000 hours for metal halide (model dependent). This means years of reliable operation with minimal intervention.
• Smart Controls: Integrate 0-10V dimming, photocells, and occupancy sensors for automated operation. These controls can increase energy savings by an additional 20-30% through scheduling and automation.
• Instant Performance: LEDs reach full brightness immediately, unlike HID fixtures that require 5-15 minute warm-up periods. This instant response is important for security applications and after power outages.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED area lighting can reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs compared to traditional HID systems, while also improving lighting quality and safety in outdoor environments. For more information on best practices and energy savings, see the DOE's guidance on Outdoor Area Lighting and the Illuminating Engineering Society's resources on lighting standards and recommended practices.

Need Help? Talk to an LED Area Light Expert.

Selecting the right area lighting solution means balancing performance requirements, energy goals, and budget. Our lighting engineers have decades of experience with project consultations. Share your needs with us, and we will recommend fixtures suited for your application and site conditions. Contact us for guidance and a free lighting plan that ensures proper illumination levels and uniform coverage across your area.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

We see the same costly mistakes on area lighting projects. Most problems happen when LED retrofits are treated like simple bulb swaps instead of engineered upgrades that require proper calculations and planning.

• Using HID conversion charts without considering LED light distribution: LEDs put light where you need it, unlike HID, which wastes lumens upward. Run actual photometric calculations instead of relying on generic wattage conversion tables.
• Installing fixtures without checking existing pole structural integrity: Old parking lot poles may not be designed for modern LED wind loads. Get a structural assessment before installing new fixtures, especially in hurricane zones (verify structural requirements with a qualified engineer).
• Mixing Type III and Type V optics in the same parking lot: Different distribution patterns create uneven lighting and hot spots. Use one optic type unless your lighting plan specifically calls for variations.
• Ignoring local dark sky ordinances until after fixture selection: Many cities now restrict light and require full cutoff optics. Check municipal lighting codes early in your planning process.
• Failing to account for mounting height changes during pole replacement: Switching from 20-foot to 30-foot poles changes your spacing calculation. Recalculate fixture spacing when pole heights change.
• Skipping surge protection in areas with frequent lightning activity: Area lights are expensive targets on tall poles. Install proper SPDs at the panel and consider fixtures with integrated surge protection.
• Selecting color temperature based on energy efficiency alone: 5000K might be more efficient, but 4000K often provides better visual comfort for security cameras and general visibility.
• Installing photocells without considering light pollution from adjacent properties: Nearby properties might trigger your photocells prematurely. Position sensors carefully or use astronomical time clocks instead.

Commercial LED Area Lights Frequently Asked Questions

What are LED area lights used for?

LED area lights illuminate expansive outdoor spaces including parking lots, sports facilities, and industrial yards. Available in 50W to 1200W configurations operating on 120-277V or 347-480V power, these fixtures serve as retrofit solutions for aging HID systems with drivers that automatically adjust to building voltage.

What wattage LED area light do I need?

Wattage depends on mounting height, spacing, and application demands. Shoebox fixtures mount on 15-35 foot poles in 100W to 600W configurations, while high mast lights for 60 feet and above produce 40,000 to 180,000 lumens. A photometric analysis accounts for uniformity ratios and foot-candle requirements.

How do I replace metal halide with LED area lights?

Replacement guidelines based on field performance: 250W metal halide requires 9,000-12,000 LED lumens, 400W requires 15,000-25,000 lumens, 1000W requires 35,000-50,000 lumens, and 1500W+ requires 50,000-90,000 lumens. Results vary by application - a professional lighting calculation ensures proper uniformity and code compliance.

What color temperature is best for outdoor area lighting?

4000K or 5000K color temperatures provide optimal visibility and safety in commercial environments. 4000K often provides better visual comfort for security cameras and general visibility.

What optics are available for LED area lights?

Options include Type I through Type V distributions plus beam angles from 15 degrees to 120 degrees for precise light placement. Proper optics eliminate dark spots and light trespass - mixing distribution types in the same area creates uneven lighting unless your lighting plan specifically calls for variations.

Are LED area lights eligible for utility rebates?

Fixtures with DLC Premium certification qualify for utility rebate programs. These incentives often offset 20-40% of initial investment costs while DLC Premium guarantees the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

What certifications should LED area lights have?

Fixtures carry DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals ensuring safety, performance, and energy efficiency. Additional ratings include IP65 for dust and water resistance and IK08 for impact resistance.

How long do LED area lights last?

LED fixtures operate for 50,000 to 100,000 hours compared to 15,000 hours for metal halide (model dependent). This eliminates bulb and ballast replacements during operational life, removing costly maintenance calls requiring lifts or bucket trucks.

What controls work with LED area lights?

Fixtures integrate 0-10V dimming, photocells, and occupancy sensors for automated operation. These controls can increase energy savings by an additional 20-30% through intelligent scheduling - position photocell sensors carefully to avoid premature triggering from adjacent property light pollution.

What mistakes should I avoid when selecting LED area lights?

Run actual photometric calculations rather than relying on generic wattage conversion tables since LEDs direct light more precisely than HID. Check municipal dark sky ordinances early as many cities require full cutoff optics, and recalculate fixture spacing when pole heights change.