8 Questions to Ask Before Buying LEDs
On the surface, most LED products look like a wise investment. Their packaging may tout great lumens per watt, solid life ratings, good color and a reasonable cost, however these numbers don’t recount to the full story. LED fixtures can fail due to lumen degradation, driver failures, material issues, color shifts and more, and many undergo very constrained testing that doesn’t consider every one of these issues.
So how would you choose? Before making any decision, ask there questions first to see if you’re making the right investment. This will help protect you from the regrets down the road.
- Whats wrong with the fluorescent or HID system that I have now?
In the event that you haven’t upgraded to LED fixtures, you’re squandering cash. Not only your energy cost is higher, yet you are investing time and cash on expanded maintenance and replacements also. And if you keep waiting, it will just get more costly: Certain components of your systems may be out of date.
- Why should I look to LEDs?
Each light in your facility will eventually become an LED. As the most efficient and longe lasting light source, LEDs are outpacing all other lighting technologies. You have to upgrade now or later.
- Is LED innovation developed and stable enough to justify an update?
While LEDs will keep on improving, they are completely adequate today to warrant an update. The advantages you would you would get from any minor improvements to LEDs later on are far outranked by the cash you’re squandering on energy now by continuing to use obsolete systems.
- Whose LEDs should I buy?
You need a trustworthy company with a history filled with unwavering reliability testing, impressive performance and outstanding customer service. Newcomers to the LED scene may offer low costs, yet will they be around to homor warranties in the event that anything turns out badly? Have they completely tried their products?
- 5. How do I determine which new product is right to replace my existing fixtures?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach for selecting replacement fixtures. A lighting expert is your best option for responding to this complex questions, as they can help guide you toward quality solutions that will diminish energy usage and help you build for the future. Some key questions to ask are: how many lumens was my previous fixture creating, and how many does the new fixture does create? And how long will it take to install the recommended solution?
- How will saving energy affect light levels and light distribution?
Be careful with solutions that gloat about enormous energy savings but drop your light levels. In the event that your space gets darker and you can’t see appropriately in a space, any savings are pointless. Ensure you’re asking about the footcandles before and after a switch and the difference in light levels. If possible, request for a mock up area so you can see precisely what the space will look like after the upgrade.
- How can I ensure that the fixture is going to perform as claimed?
You should approach the manufacturer for specifics about LED performance. Here are some technical inquiries that should come up in conversation:
Is this fixture listed on the Design Lights Consortium (DLC) website?
Do you have LM79 photometry report from a certified lab attesting to initial lumens, color point and wattage?
Do you have LM80 and TM21 calculations based on temperature measurements to justify life ratings?
At what ambient temperature are you warrantying the fixture?
What can you say about the expected life of your driver?
Don’t simply trust in their promise for it, however. Ask: who has used this fixtures in the past and if there are client testimonials. You should also reiterate the request for a mock-up area or ask to see a real site.
- How can I believe life ratings?
How much actual life testing has been done?
Have you done stress tests or thermal cycling?
Has a certified lab tested the lumen output and color?
What reliability testing do you do on your driver components? Who makes the drivers?
What is the longest this fixture has been burning at a site?
Historically, what is the failure or return rate on these fixtures?
Who has used these fixtures before? Are there customer testimonials about them?
With regards to warranties, make sure to ask business-related questions, including how long they have been in operation and what guarantee there is that they will still be operating when you ask for a warranty claim.
You will ask numerous questions on your way to buying LEDs. But if you start by using these eight basic questions to give a good framework for examining your options and assessing manufacturers, you’ll settle on a quality product that will work for your business.