If you’re working in construction or property management, either residential or commercial, you are aware of the benefits of switching from incandescent or fluorescent to LED lighting. Though updating one or more properties with these energy-saving bulbs and fixtures can be quite an undertaking, the cost savings and reduced carbon footprint far outweigh any initial investment in cash or time. But what about lighting options for brand new properties? Instead of a simple switch, what considerations should a property manager heed before diving into a project that requires hundreds, if not thousands, of LED bulbs?
At EarthTronics, we’re well versed on the minutia of renovated and new properties. Here are the top five lighting considerations for the latter:
Warranty
Because new construction requires a steep initial investment and budgets are generally strictly outlined and stretched among multiple categories, you want to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth with each and every purchase. One easy way to do this is to purchase LED bulbs and fixtures with well-outlined and long-lasting warranties from a well-established company with excellent customer service. The last thing you want to encounter shortly after cutting the proverbial ribbon is a frustrated client with burned out bulbs or non functioning fixtures.
Many LED suppliers outline their warranties on their website or in their sales materials for each product. At Earthtronics, we cover each of our products with warranties from three to ten years in length, with the majority — like our smart bulbs and hard-working A-type bulbs — covered for five years. We also ensure that swapping new bulbs and fixtures under your warranty is quick and painless.
Supplier Expertise
Though your corner hardware store is likely chock full of experts that can offer tips on individual products, there’s no replacing the expertise of a seasoned LED lighting supplier. When shopping around for a company to supply your suite of LED lighting for your new build, be sure to ask for testimonials from former clients, and don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. Outfitting your new build is a big, expensive job, and your LED supplier should have the expertise to earn your business.
Connectivity & Versatility
Current trends demand connectivity throughout properties both commercial and residential. When determining your client’s needs and desires for lighting their new build, be sure to query if smart lighting is an option they seek for their new suite of LEDs. If this is a priority, you’ll want to choose a supplier that offers high quality, smart LEDs in a wide variety of sizes, lumens and hours of life. Many suppliers offer LEDs that are compatible with existing incandescent or fluorescent fixtures, as well as all-weather bulbs for use in a variety of areas both in and outdoors. To save on costs, choose a supplier that prioritizes versatile products that will help your client maximize efficiency.
Single Supplier
This one’s a no brainer. When you’re outfitting a new property, whether with furniture, plumbing, or fixtures, choosing a single supplier in any particular category can help you minimize potential disruptions or inconsistencies. The same holds true with LED lighting: choosing a one-stop shop — both a bulb and fixture manufacturer and supplier — gives you access to high end technology and the experts who make it work.
Balance of Light
LED lights can be powerful and save energy, but if they’re not well balanced, they can negatively impact the overall health of individuals in your new built environment. In an article for LEDs Magazine, the author writes, “Lighting for human-occupied space requires a spectral optimization balancing act between four competing objectives…” These objectives are: illumination, ie., enough light required to complete tasks; human health; lighting that does not conflict with natural circadian rhythms; human productivity, lighting that is stimulating to workers; and energy efficiency; effective lighting products with a low carbon footprint.
Though achieving this delicate balancing act may seem like a monumental effort, choosing an expert LED supplier accomplishes half of your task. Their offering of LEDs that are, in themselves, balanced products, as well as a versatile lighting plan that features multiple bulbs and fixtures, will help you achieve this vital balance of light.
There are so many boxes to check during the construction process; especially when illuminating one or more entirely new properties. But by using this handy guide of five considerations — and partnering with an expert supplier and manufacturer like EarthTronics — you’ll be able to ensure a smooth outfitting process and quality products that illuminate your property for years, if not decades.
Whether you’re a contractor or specifier, EarthTronics has what you need to meet all the key considerations of lighting a new build. Contact us today!