Workspaces cannot benefit from the same lighting you use in homes. Instead, they need specialized lighting that aids people to concentrate on tasks. Otherwise, efficiency in the workspace reduces and the likelihood of accidents increases. If you have a large workspace that needs good lighting, high bay lighting may be the answer for you. We’ll cover what is High-Bay Lighting and how you can use it.
What is high bay lighting?
With large workspaces, achieving uniform and bright lighting is tricky. Examples include department stores and sports halls. If you install regular lighting in such facilities, the light appears spotty. It also does not reach the floor, and the room becomes dull, which is not ideal for work areas.
High bay lighting, on the other hand, can cover spans of 20 feet or more. It does not decrease its uniformity as it moves across such large areas. It can work for spaces as tall as 45 feet and is best for areas that have harsh or corrosive elements. Take the example of manufacturing facilities where airborne elements can destroy regular lighting.
To get the most out of LED bay lighting, you must position it carefully and ensure it covers all areas. You can even use reflectors to increase its efficiency. The light is still effective even when mounted at the highest point. As long as it’s within the 20-to-25-foot range, it should work great.
Outdoor LED lights typically feature 10,000 or more lumens and are much brighter than anything you would find at home. They are also very demanding on positioning for you to get the right angle from high points.
How are high bay lights different from low bay lights?
The disparity stems from the usage. High bay lights are best suited for spaces with ceilings positioned 20 or more feet from the floor. On the other hand, low bay lights work for ceilings or mounting positions 20 feet from the floor or lower. You cannot use them for taller heights; else, the light will be spotty. The light can also have a pooling effect which would not be effective in a workspace.
Also, compared to high bay lights, low bay lights are not as strong. You need to position them close to each other for enough overlay to take place. Otherwise, the light distribution will be sparse, and the room will not be well lit. These lights do not require as much planning in positioning as high bay lights on the plus side. They cast light at much shallower angles, and you do not have to worry about how you will illuminate vertical surfaces.
Where can you use high bay lights?
Generally, you can use these lights in any areas that require bright yet uniform light across a wide area. These include:
Warehouses
Of all the places to use high bay lights, warehouses are some of the most typical options. These lights help light the areas affected by tall stacking and shelving by illuminating the cast shadows. Low bay lights cannot offer this much coverage, and having high bay lighting casting light from above helps. Plus, given that most warehouses operate around the clock, using LED high bay lights helps lower the operational costs. We will cover more on LED high bay lights later.
Shops
Many huge retail and departmental stores also benefit from high bay lighting. It especially works well when combined with reflectors to enhance its coverage. This lighting mode works great when covering large shop floors and allows people to move around with clear visibility.
Industries
Industrial setups feature various safety hazards, and visibility is essential, lest someone gets hurt. Additionally, there is a need for precision to ensure that the manufacturer maintains high-quality standards. High bay lights can serve all these purposes and can even withstand corrosive elements in the workspace. Additionally, where LED lights are in use, there is less downtime coupled with lower operational costs.
Loading bays
These areas are busy round the clock, and their effective running depends on high visibility. High bay lights can provide this, ensuring that processes run smoothly. The lights are highly variable and can be positioned to hit angles that illuminate the vehicles, warehouses and workers.
Garages
Here is yet another space that requires high safety standards. Plus, it’s a hub for fumes and other pollutants that can damage traditional lights. Using high bay lighting can thus prevent the need to replace bulbs often.
Why are LED bay lights a good idea?
LEDs are not only a popular choice in homes but also in workspaces. They allow you to benefit from:
- Cost savings: In the past, purchasing LED bulbs meant reaching far into your pocket. Nowadays, you can get a good LED high bay light at pretty much the same cost as other bulbs. Given that you will spend almost an equal amount, it makes sense to go the LED way. Besides, LEDs last longer than other bulbs, and you will save a lot on repairs and maintenance in the long run.
- Energy savings: LED high bay lights use way less energy compared to their traditional counterparts. They spend much less energy on startup delays and heating their components. Besides, they pull less wattage to produce a similar brightness level to conventional bulbs. With manufacturers looking to reduce their adverse impact on the environment, LED lights have become even more energy-efficient. Plus, it reduces your energy costs which is a huge save.
- Aesthetic lift: Even in workspaces, you still want the room to feel welcoming as it serves its purpose. Using strong LED high bay lights allows you to highlight the best aspects of the room. For businesses, this aesthetic lift can attract even more customers and increase sales.
- Longevity: Did you know that LED lights can burn for tens of thousands of hours? Most manufacturers state up to 25,000 to 50,000 hours based on 12-hour-day usages. That’s years from now! It will be a while before you ever need another light.
- Safety: Workspaces feature many moving parts, and one wrong move can be detrimental to other people’s safety. Lighting your space with these lights can enable you and others to move around without knocking items over. Additionally, these lights are free of UV emissions and mercury. Compared to traditional bulbs, these are your best bets in staying safe and being healthy.
When choosing the lumens for your high bay lights, also consider the mounting position, spacing, and the number of lights required.
