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In commercial lighting design, the efficiency of a light is just as important as the visibility they provide. In this article, we will explore the perks of commercial LED lighting, as well as how to choose commercial LED lights for your unique space.
Benefits of Using LEDs for Commercial Lighting
LED lights are becoming increasingly popular over traditional halogen or incandescent lighting. This is especially true in commercial environments where cost savings and efficiency are paramount.
There are many reasons business owners are making the switch to LED lights, such as:
- ENERGY EFFICIENT. LED bulbs use 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. They turn all energy right into lighting instead of having to make heat first.
- ECO-FRIENDLY. Since LEDs use far less energy, they are kinder to the environment. This benefits your company if you are working toward a green initiative to get the attention of eco-conscious buyers.
- LONG LASTING. LED lights last tens of thousands of hours as opposed to the 1,000 hours that traditional bulbs provide. This limits the frequency with which you must buy new LED bulbs, lessening upfront costs.
- COST EFFECTIVE. Alongside a reduction in costs from purchasing new bulbs frequently, lessened energy use means a lower electricity bill. This is especially true for commercial buildings that have lights on more hours of the day.
- Commercial lighting solutions come in a number of styles, lumen counts and light colour temperatures. You can choose the right kind of light for each individual space this way.
Types of Commercial Lighting and Where to Use Them
Commercial electric lighting products are varied and diverse both in appearance and in application. Read on to get a solid understanding so you know which to choose.
Panel Lights
Panel lights are ideal for LED office lighting, hospitals and schools. They offer a slim profile with a glare-free design that is easier on the eyes. Recess them into ceilings to give a wider spread of illumination.
High Bay Lights
Bay lights are best suited for gyms, factories and warehouses. They offer an exceedingly high lumen output, usually between 10,000 and 50,000 lumens. They cover a wider span of space with glare-free lighting that does not cast shadows–ideal for providing ample illumination for work.
Strip Lights
Strip lights make for nice retail displays, soft mood lighting in restaurants and accent lighting in a restaurant. They are flexible and have a low profile and can be installed in smaller areas of space.
Flood and Area Lights
Commercial outdoor lighting can be easily accomplished with flood and area lights. They provide a wide angle of bright illumination with high intensity beams of light. Use them in car parks, around building facades and even sports fields.
Downlights
Downlights, such as commercial LED track lighting, are ideal for use in retail environments, corridors in offices, and hotels. They provide a discreet, modern source of illumination with directional and wide-angle options alike.
How to Design and Choose the Right Lighting for the Space
The lighting you choose will play an instrumental role in the functionality of your commercial space. To choose the best lights, follow the guide below.
Assess Your Space and Identify Your Needs
Figure out what the primary purpose of your space is based on the sort of commercial property it is. For example, office spaces need uniform, glare free lighting. Hotels and restaurants prioritise mood and accent lighting.
Choose the Appropriate Lighting
- LED PANELS are best for classroom and commercial office lighting in spaces that need even, shadow-free lighting
- BAY LIGHTS are best for industrial spaces and warehouses with their high lumen outputs
- ACCENT AND TRACK LIGHTS are best for galleries and retail environments where directional lighting is useful
Layer the Lights
Once you have all of the lights, you can begin layering them together to create a cohesive lighting scheme. Use ambient illumination such as high bay lighting and LED panels for foundational illumination. Supplement it with task lighting such as focused work areas. Finish it off with accent lights like strip and task lighting for moody highlights throughout the room.
What is the Cost of Running LED Lighting, and What is the Payback Time?
One of the biggest perks of LED lights is the cost-effectiveness. In commercial spaces where lights are on more often than not, this is especially important. As of April 2025, the prices to run LED bulbs as opposed to traditional lighting is much more economical.
When compared to traditional lighting, LEDs are far more energy efficient. They use up to 80 percent less energy than halogen or incandescent bulbs, which may save up to £5,110 per year depending on the specific lights you have.
To determine the payback period, there is a formula you can follow:
(Upfront Costs – Rebates) / Annual Savings = Payback time frame
If you want to improve upon the period of time it takes, get a head start when you buy your lights in bulk at a discount. You can also look into government incentives, such as UK Super Deduction Tax Relief or local authority grants that may compensate for some of your usage.
Installation Advice and Recommendations
Installing LED lights can be unsafe if you aren’t sure entirely what you’re doing. Generally speaking, we recommend that you hire a qualified professional electrician to handle this for you. That said, if you feel comfortable doing it yourself, follow the advice below.
- PLAN BEFOREHAND. Before you even consider installation practices, plan where you intend to install the lights. Sketch up a vague outline of light placement and calculate the lumen count you’ll need for the job. You’ll also want to determine the load capacity of the existing circuits and ensure that everything is compatible with your LED bulbs.
- CUT OFF POWER. To prevent risk of electrocution and damages, be sure to turn off the power to your building before installing new lights. Test that the current is no longer flowing using a volt tester before you begin.
- ADHERE TO CODE. Hiring an electrician will give you peace of mind about your lights being up to compliance with codes. If you plan to do it yourself, be sure you are adhering to UK regulations like Part P Building, BS 7671 Wiring and Workplace (Health and Safety) regulations as dictated.
- TEST AFTER INSTALLATION. Before calling it a day, test the lighting design and ensure it provides the sort of illumination you’re after. Check for flickers using smartphone videos set to slow motion, and ensure that the lights operate how you intend with any smart controls.
How to Select the Correct Colour Temperature and CRI
Colour temperature, or CCT, is how the warmth and coolness of a light is discussed. The temperatures exist on a spectrum of Kelvin units from 1,000 to 10,000, with warmer lights on the lower end and cooler lights toward the top.
Lower Kelvin ratings are ideal for hotels, restaurants and most retail shop lighting. Warm white light between 3,000K and 3,300K creates a welcoming and inviting environment while still being bright enough to see by.
Cooler lights around 4000K are better for warehouses and other locations that need high visibility. Due to the way they promote alertness and concentration, they are also preferred in many office spaces.
CRI, or colour rendering index, is a metric that indicates how accurately a light reflects the colours it illuminates. Higher CRI ratings provide true-to-life colours, while lower ratings may distort the colours a bit.
High CRI ratings are ideal in jewellery shops and clothing boutiques especially. This will allow customers to get an accurate view of how their jewellery or attire will look once they leave the store so they are not disappointed and eager to return the products.
It is also recommended in healthcare facilities for clearer visibility for professionals to examine and make diagnoses. In offices, higher CRI may reduce eye strain from unnatural contrast of colours.
Advice on Lighting an Outdoor Commercial Space
Commercial landscape lighting can make a huge difference in the perception of the space. It is the first thing visitors, customers and guests will see when they approach, so it needs to be well-lit.
You can communicate the brand personality with the lighting that you choose, which can help the business linger in a person’s mind. It also increases visibility outside at night, which can make people feel more comfortable and safe approaching the building.
There are different types of outside lighting that you can include, such as:
- area and flood lighting for parking lots, perimeters and loading bays
- pathway and bollard lighting for pedestrian walkways, hotel entrances and walkways
- accent and architectural lighting for building facades, landscape features and signage
Regardless of what you choose, be sure that the fixtures are IP65 rated or higher. These lights are rated to withstand the effects of weather exposure. Their waterproof nature protects them against rain and other precipitation, as well as from entry of dust, soil and other debris.
FAQs on Common Issues with Commercial LED Lighting
How long do LED lights last?
The average lifespan of an LED light tends to be around 20,000 hours. In a retail environment, this tends to translate to 8 to 12 years. In warehouses with harsher demands, they may last between 5 and 8 years.
Why do LED lights flicker?
LED bulbs may flicker if you have them on incompatible dimmer switches, or if they have faulty drivers. Loose wires may also cause this, so do a thorough examination of your fixtures if you notice flickering to determine the cause.
Do LEDs work in cold environments?
Yes, they work well in any environment, and work better than fluorescents do in cold locations. This is due to their thermal management abilities.
Why are my commercial lights buzzing?
Buzzing can be caused by poor quality drivers or incompatible dimmer switches.
Why are there uneven brightness levels in my commercial building?
You may notice uneven brightness if there has been any drop in voltages. You may also want to get an electrician to rewire the fixtures with thicker wires.
Commercial Lighting Ideas
Easily guide employees and customers to the bathrooms of your commercial buildings with the Male 4 Watt Round Illuminated LED Toilet Sign. This sign features a polished stainless steel faceplate that has an icon laser cut into it. Behind the cutout is a light that shines 400 lumens, outlining the shape of the icon. This durable light features an IP20 rating and measures 162 millimeters in diameter.
Light up the facade of your commercial building with the 36 Watt 1000mm Long IP65 Linear LED Wall Washer. This wall washer light boasts a length of 1000 millimeters, allowing it to cover more area with light. It shines an ultra-bright 4300 lumens of your choice of warm or cool light at a 30 degree beam angle. This fixture is fashioned out of high quality aluminium given a sleek silver finish. It has been IP65 rated for safe use outdoors.
Light up your commercial space indoors and out with the LDC963 36 Watt Dimmable Triple Modular LED commercial downlight. This light generates 2700 lumens of your choice of warm or cool light that shines at a 38 degree beam angle. Durably built from premium aluminium, it resists rust and other corrosive damage. It measures 387 millimeters by 135 millimeters and is finished with a black internal section and a white outer rim.
Create ample light in warehouses, office buildings and more with the LBL278-BK 42 Watt Round Black Surface Downlight. This light generates 3300 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines down at a 50 degree beam angle. Light is reflected from its chrome plated interior, while the exterior is finished in black. This light is built to last out of both steel and alumnium and measures 205 millimeters in diameter.
