Before we get into the benefits of using LED troffer lighting, I would first like to define what a troffer light is. A troffer is a rectangular or square light fixture that typically fits into a modular dropped ceiling grid, often described as “recessed”. Historically troffer fixtures have been designed to accommodate standard fluorescent lamps like T12 or T8 bulbs.
However, now troffer lighting is available in LED. Below we will look at three primary benefits to using this technology in your facility.
Energy cost saving on utility bills
LED lighting can really move the needle in reducing the consumption of electricity for your building or facility. If we look at specific wattages, a typical 2x4 fluorescent troffer light can utilize up to 160 watts per fixture.
If we examine the same fixture utilizing LED technology instead, we see that the same fixture utilizes between 30 and 50 watts per fixture. This results in a 50% to 80% reduction in cost savings just by making the switch to LED.
To put this in dollars, by converting your lighting to LED you could save up to $81 per fixture, per year in energy costs alone. Depending on the size of your facility this can really add up over time.
Maintenance Costs
The way LEDs generate light and progress through their functional life results in a much longer operating life compared to a conventional fluorescent troffer light. LED troffer lifetimes to range from 50,000 to 150,000 hours and can have up to a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
Since LED light fixtures are not negatively affected by frequent on/off cycles, maintenance costs are reduced in those environments when the LED ceiling lights are used.
For a typical warehouse lighting or commercial lighting space with multiple 2x4 LED troffers, end users can expect to realize up to $2,952 in maintenance cost savings over the course of 3 years.
Lighting Performance
While reducing energy costs and maintenance costs are paramount to keeping organizations efficient. It’s also critically important to ensure the performance of the lighting isn’t compromised.
From this standpoint LED’s are in a class of their own. LED’s distribute light differently providing an evener foot-candle on the space below. Additionally, LED troffers are available in a wide range of CCTs (correlated color temperature), which provides end users the ability to select a specific aesthetic look of a given space, and a high CRI (color rendering index) ensures that anyone working under the LED Lighting can clearly see what they are working on.
Another benefit of LED troffers is the ability of the fixtures to dim. This development is a drastic change for end users, as they are now able to change the operating conditions after their LED retrofit, and adapt to the usage needs of individual rooms or spaces quickly without compromising the functionality of the LED lights themselves.
Have you moved your lighting from fluorescent to LEDs already or looking forward to changing? Let us know in the comments.