Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades
One of the most immediate and effective ways to enhance your commercial building is by upgrading to a high-efficiency lighting system. The versatility and adaptability of LED lighting systems make them well-suited for virtually all types of commercial spaces and commercial settings, including offices, warehouses, retail stores and many others. This guide to LED lights for commercial buildings covers the essentials for commercial premises.
In recent years, there has been a large shift to use LEDs to improve the lighting quality of commercial properties. There are numerous styles, models, and colours of LED lights available to satisfy a wide array of lighting requirements for commercial settings.
Historically, facility managers and property owners have had to deal with the high energy consumption, frequent replacement needs, and limited capabilities of incandescent and fluorescent technologies. Today, however, LED lighting is no longer simply an alternative to incandescent and fluorescent technologies; it is now a core component of a smart, efficient, and productive commercial property.
The Importance of Upgrading to Modern Commercial Lighting
Commercial lighting represents the largest single operating cost in many buildings, and therefore accounts for a significant portion of all energy usage. Lowering both lighting cost and energy cost are primary drivers of a need for businesses to transition to newer lighting technology.
Fluorescent tube and incandescent lamp lighting systems have proven to be very inefficient compared to other forms of lighting technology. Incandescent and fluorescent lighting technologies generate a great deal of unnecessary heat when converting electrical power to light. Both also require frequent replacement, and provide little to no ability for control over light output or spectrum.
As a direct result of these inefficiencies, the cost to operate older lighting systems results in increased energy bills, more labour required to maintain them, and a greater carbon footprint. Upgrading to LED lighting will save businesses up to 85% on their energy consumption, which translates to considerable savings on their utility and electricity bills. The current imperative is for businesses to select lighting solutions that reduce their cost, while also improving the quality of the built environment.
Why LED Lighting is the Smart Investment: Efficiency and ROI
At the heart of the benefits of LED lighting is its superior efficiency. LEDs produce light using less energy than any other form of lighting technology. This superior efficiency is what drives the strong business case for investing in LED lighting. Investing in LED lighting is not just a cost to your business, it is a smart capital expenditure that provides real, tangible financial returns.
The financial return on investment is primarily based on lower energy costs, significantly lower maintenance costs associated with routine replacements, and potential government financial incentives. These three factors create a strong financial rationale for transitioning to LED lighting.
For most facilities, the combined cost savings of lower energy and maintenance costs associated with LED lighting will pay for itself within two years of installation. Businesses and property owners will experience significant cost savings because of the low cost of ownership associated with LED lighting solutions, since the long-term lighting cost of ownership associated with LED lighting is significantly lower than that of traditional lighting systems.
LED ROI & Payback Calculator
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The Unrivalled Benefits of LED Lighting for Commercial Properties
A complete LED lighting system will provide an array of benefits to virtually all aspects of building management and occupant experience. A well-designed LED lighting system offers reliable illumination by providing consistent levels of light quality throughout the building.
Reduced Energy Consumption and Lower Energy Bills
The primary advantage of using LED lighting is the dramatic decrease in energy consumption when comparing LED lighting to traditional forms of lighting such as incandescent and fluorescent lighting.
The switch from traditional lighting methods to LED lighting has the potential to reduce your company’s energy usage and resulting utility bills. Companies can expect to save up-to 70% of what they would have spent on their traditional lighting source, in terms of energy. The direct result of reduced energy consumption is a reduction in your monthly utility bills. These energy savings are a core benefit of commercial LED lighting.
Businesses with thousands of fittings installed within their buildings may be able to save hundreds of thousands of pounds per year in utility costs.
Longer Life & Less Maintenance Required
- Commercial Grade LEDs are built to last much longer than Incandescent Lamps or Fluorescents (typically 25–50 times longer).
- The average commercial grade LED light can operate for up to 50,000 to 100,000 hours.
- A 50,000 hour LED Light will last approximately 10 years (24/7), while a standard 100W Incandescent Lamp will only last about 2 years, and a standard T8 Fluorescent Light will only last about 5 years.
Most business owners will see a substantial reduction in their maintenance costs by using long-lasting LED Lights. The less time it takes to replace LED lights, the less money it will take to install them, and this leads to huge cost savings. Additionally, when compared to other types of lighting, LED Lighting has very little required maintenance. This is why commercial LED is widely specified for industrial settings and office buildings alike.
The Effect of Superior Lighting on Employee Productivity
Well designed lighting, through the use of high quality, well placed and controlled lighting, will have a direct effect on the wellbeing and productivity of employees within a building. The technology used to produce LED lighting gives the user superior control over the quality of the lighting produced, by way of the control of brightness, colour temperature and colour rendering.
Lighting quality is an essential factor in all commercial buildings, where it improves visibility, safety and the appearance of products on sale. Because LEDs produce virtually no harmful UV or IR radiation they do not pose a risk to fragile items. Spotlights are often utilised to draw attention to particular products in retail stores and art galleries as they allow the direction of light.
Task lighting is directed at the area of a person’s workspace to improve task completion accuracy and speed, and glare reduction provides employee visual comfort and workplace safety. This creates an environment best suited for a particular activity/task and results in less eye strain and improved concentration. An adequately lit space also produces fewer mistakes, increased focus and a better working environment, which directly relates to a business’ profitability. (This applies equally to office lighting and retail spaces.)
Safety and Security Enhanced
LED lighting provides an evenly illuminated area and does not leave “dark” spots in Car Parks, Paths, Stairwells or Corridors. The instant on performance will provide clear CCTV images as well as ensure rapid response in emergency situations. LED emergency lighting fittings will also maintain lighting in case of power failure. Always consider Fire Safety when choosing lighting for Commercial areas, UK Building Regulations and Flame-Rating Requirements must be met to eliminate hazards. Ensure that all chosen fittings have suitable IP Ratings for Dust and Water Resistance. Combine LEDs with Motion Sensors (e.g., occupancy sensors) to deter unauthorised activities and trigger Light On Approach. These methods collectively make LED Lighting a strong base for your total security strategy and smart lighting plans.
Environmental Responsibility and Sustainable Operations
LEDs provide a very direct way to achieve sustainable practices and environmentally responsible operating practices. LEDs do not contain mercury and therefore this makes them easier to dispose of than many other types of lighting, and as such they have less environmental risks associated with their use.
The adoption of energy efficient lighting practices will demonstrate that your company has an interest in being socially responsible for the environment, and will reinforce your brand identity among your customers and stakeholders. This can reduce your carbon footprint while delivering cost effective results in commercial environments.
Government Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Advantages
The main forms of energy efficient lighting are through Tax relief / Targeted Grants as opposed to National Utility Rebates. Most businesses can obtain capital allowances on LED upgrades – typically the annual investment allowance or first year reliefs (full expensing if you qualify) – to decrease taxable profit and therefore speed up repayment. Some public bodies can also use interest free or grant funding (e.g., Salix/PSDS), and some areas or networks have time limited programmes for small and medium sized enterprises.
These mechanisms together can help offset most of the initial cost of an energy efficient lighting project; can significantly reduce the payback period of such a project; and can increase the overall Return On Investment. Please always verify your eligibility and what is classified as an asset to your accountant and check which schemes are available at the moment.
Commercial LED Lighting Technology and Metrics
To be able to take smart and well-informed decisions, you need to know how LED technology works, as well as the terms that define the performance of an LED.
LED means Light Emitting Diode. It is a type of semiconductor-based technology in which electrical current flows through a semiconductor to produce light, with many advantages compared to other technologies such as incandescent and fluorescent lighting, including very long life and superior quality of illumination.
What are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)?
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are semiconductors that emit light upon passage of electrical current through them. LEDs are different than incandescent or gas-based filament lights. LEDs produce light using a process called electroluminescence, which is a property of semiconductor materials. LEDs have many attributes, such as being a solid state technology, being more efficient, and providing higher levels of control over the output of light, which form the basis for the modern lighting revolution. (In short: light emitting diode technology underpins modern commercial lighting.)
An LED lamp usually includes one or more LEDs that work together to provide an even distribution of light. In addition to being significantly more energy-efficient than conventional lighting sources, and having a much longer life, LED lighting has many environmentally friendly aspects to its operation.
Essential Metrics: Lumens, Watts, and Efficacy (Light Output Ratio)
- Watts (W) – how we measure energy use.
- Lumens (lm) – how we measure light output or light intensity.
- Efficiency (Lumens Per Watt, lm/W) – how efficiently a light fitting uses energy.
Optimal Environments (Light Quality) and Colour Temperature and Colour Rendering Index
- Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT): measured in Kelvin (K).
- Lower Kelvin values (2700K–3000K) define warm or yellowish light (commonly hospitality).
- Higher Kelvin values (4000K–5000K) define cool or neutral white lights (often offices/retail).
- Colour Rendering Index (CRI): 0–100 scale for colour accuracy.
- CRI 80+ is standard for commercial spaces; CRI 85+ is recommended for retail and office locations.
Choose Your Look: Warm vs Cool, CRI 80 vs 90
Not sure which light is “right”? Using our interactive demo you will be able to view warm (white) vs cool (white) lighting and CRI 80 vs CRI 90 in an office, retail and warehouse environment. We can then use that information to decide on the correct luminaires for your specific application.
The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) measures how accurately a light source represents the range of colours seen under daylight (on a 0 to 100 scale). The majority of workspaces are suitable with a 80 CRI fitting; however, reds, nuances in colour and the subtleties of other colours may appear less vibrant. A CRI 90+, where colours are represented as faithfully as possible will be particularly useful for retail, design studios, hospitals etc., wherever it is important that the finish of a product, texture of fabrics and tone of skin, have a realistic appearance.
LED Light Dimming Over Time (Lumen Deprecation), How Long do LED Lights Last?
As opposed to incandescent or halogen lamps that typically go out with one “pop,” LED lights fade in luminosity as they age; this fading is referred to as lumen degradation. An important metric is L70, which defines when an LED fitting’s lumens have decreased by 30% from new. Therefore, it is essential to compare L70 life expectancy across products to understand long-term performance.
Choosing the Best LED Lighting Options for All Areas of Your Business
The type of LED fittings you select will directly impact your ability to create the optimal lighting solution for each area of your business. There are many types of commercial LED options available today, created for use in a variety of commercial environments and applications. By selecting the right commercial LED lighting solutions for your business, you will be able to take advantage of energy efficient illumination and flexible systems that meet your needs.
Commercial Interior Lighting Options
- Office Lighting: Recessed modular panels, linear panels and downlighting using 4000K–5000K CCTs to provide working and visual comfort in offices or office buildings. Include task lighting where needed.
- Retail Spaces: Track lighting, spotlights and high CRI lighting can draw attention to products; LED panels, LED panel lights, LED tubes and shop lights are flexible options to enhance display while reducing costs.
- Warehouse/Industrial: High Bay and Low Bay systems provide consistent brightness across large areas. Commercial batten lights, LED batten lights and workshop lights are reliable, energy efficient and durable for industrial environments.
- Common Areas: Wall sconces, downlighting and linear lighting aid safe navigation and enhance the building’s look with ambient lighting and uniform illumination.
Exterior Lighting Solutions
- Car Parks and Garage Areas: Pole mounted area lights or canopy lighting provide broad coverage and reliable illumination for safety and security.
- Building Façade/Landscape: Floodlights/bulkheads can be used for security or to accentuate architectural details while managing light pollution.
- Pedestrian Walkways/Entrance Ways: Bollards and post-top lighting provide safe paths for pedestrians. Bulkheads (LED) are rugged and durable for outdoor use.
Specialised LED Commercial Lighting
Emergency lighting systems are designed to operate using battery back-up during an outage so that occupants have access to safe exit routes. Grow lights for greenhouses or hydroponic systems are another type of specialised requirement, and lighting for high temperature processes (foundries, glass manufacturing) is essential in certain industries. Choose the right LED lighting and specific lighting for such environments.
Optimising Performance & Aesthetic Value While Maintaining Energy Efficiency
Lighting should be thoughtfully planned so that user needs and aesthetic requirements are met while maintaining energy efficiency. In addition to efficient illumination, use of energy efficient lighting solutions is critical to minimise energy wastage and decrease operational expenses and promote sustainability.
Comprehensive Lighting Audits
Before making any changes, conducting a comprehensive lighting plan audit is essential to:
- Take stock of your current lighting fittings.
- Analyse past energy usage data from utility bills.
- Identify areas with too much or too little lighting.
- Develop a strategic lighting plan based on this information.
Correct Levels of Illumination to Different Task Areas
Lighting levels differ based on the task or activity. For example, a workstation typically requires more lumens per square metre than a storage room or hallway. Proper planning avoids wasting energy due to unnecessary or excessive lighting levels and supports glare control.
Maximising Natural Ambient Light Exposure
Smart lighting designs work with natural light. Maximise daylight exposure to minimise artificial lighting throughout the day. This not only helps save energy but can improve wellbeing and productivity.
Why Are Angle of Distribution and Beam Spread Important?
The angle of distribution (or beam spread) affects how a light fitting distributes light and its effect on the space being lit.
- High-angled (narrow beam) – focuses light on a particular area or object.
- Low-angle (wide beam) – suitable for general or overall lighting.
Because of their small size and sleek appearance, recessed lights (LED downlights) are widely used in commercial buildings to provide both targeted and general lighting. Choosing the right distribution ensures light is placed where it’s needed and not wasted.
Beam Angle Visualiser
See how the mounting height of a fitting and its beam angle will impact the overall light footprint, and the amount of brightness on the floor. Using the slider you can go from a small spot to a large flood pattern, adjust the mounting height to be equal to your ceiling height, and optionally add lumens to get an estimate of the approximate illuminance in lux. The tool will provide you with the ability to select the right optic by providing information about beam diameters, lit areas and approximate lux so that you can avoid hot spots and dark patches as well as choosing between narrow optics for highlighting purposes versus wider optics for general illumination.
Adjust beam angle, height and lumens to see footprint and approximate lux on the floor.
Assumptions & tips
- Footprint assumes a circular beam on a flat floor at mounting height H.
- Lux ≈ lumens ÷ area (ignores losses/reflectance – demo only).
- Perceived brightness uses a curve so changes at 500–5,000 lm are visible.
Retrofit vs. New Installation: Making the Right Choice for Your Property
- Retrofit projects: Replace old lamps and control gear with new LED equivalents within existing fittings. Often faster and less expensive upfront.
- New Installation: Install new fittings to create an entirely new design and optimise performance for LED technology. Can result in longer-term efficiency and additional control capabilities with led fixtures.
Partnering with Us
A professional lighting designer or installer can be very helpful if you’re planning a large scale lighting project. Electrical contractors are responsible for ensuring all aspects of LED lighting upgrades are installed in compliance with UK laws including the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Electricity at Work Regulations and may also provide installation and/or maintenance services for your commercial setting.
Additionally, these experts can help you identify opportunities for rebates, assist with your application, and ensure all lighting installations meet local code and safety standards.
Smart Lighting Controls
LED lights combined with smart lighting controls can greatly enhance your energy efficiency and flexibility.
The Core Principles of Smart Lighting Controls
Smart lighting control systems enable automation of the “when” and “how” of lighting usage so that they are only turned on and operated when necessary and at the optimal brightness level. Common options include:
- Occupancy/Vacancy Sensors: Automatically turn lights on/off based on occupancy. Helps to optimise usage for energy savings and ease of operation.
- Dimming Controls: Adjust brightness to fit a task or the time of day to save energy.
- Scheduling: Set when lights should come on and go off, or adjust brightness, based on your business hours.
- Intelligent lighting control: Link sensors, schedules and scenes for uniform illumination and significant savings.
Natural Daylight Capture
Daylight capture systems utilise photosensors to monitor the level of daylight entering a space. The control system automatically reduces the output of the artificial lights until the desired light level is achieved, maximising energy savings. Dusk-to-Dawn outdoor light fittings automatically turn on at sunset and turn off at dawn, providing consistent security without manual activation or unnecessary energy consumption.
So, Is It Worth The Switch?
Switching to LED lighting represents a financially and environmentally wise decision for a commercial property owner or manager. LED lighting presents a broad range of benefits including substantial and recurring cost savings through exceptional energy efficiency and significantly lower maintenance costs.
Additionally, a well-designed LED lighting system enhances the commercial environment resulting in higher employee productivity, improved workplace safety and security and demonstrates a company’s commitment to sustainability. Understanding the fundamental principles of LED lighting technology, developing strategic designs and utilising advanced lighting control strategies allow you to realise the maximum potential from this revolutionary technology. There is a clear path to a brighter, more productive and more sustainable future for commercial properties. That path begins with a brighter light. Click here to find out more.
