In the face of the looming climate crisis, it’s no surprise that energy optimization solutions are gaining utmost importance. Corporations all over the world are looking for ways to minimize consumption and maximize resources.
Along with various emission reduction measures and waste management solutions, lighting strategies can make a huge difference. Sustainable lighting can reduce carbon footprints, boost productivity, and lower expenses.
How can corporations achieve sustainability goals through something as simple as modifying lighting? Let’s take a closer look.
Benefits of Sustainable Lighting
Lighting solutions have come a long way in the last few decades.
Apart from offering aesthetic value by illuminating spaces, modern light fittings are now helping organizations meet a growing number of sustainability goals.
Here are some of the most important benefits of opting for sustainable lighting:
Reduced Emissions
Businesses looking for ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels are adopting measures to reduce energy consumption.
Modern sustainable lighting solutions fit perfectly into this plan, as they require a lot less energy to produce the same—or, in some cases, higher—output.
Lighting accounts for nearly 40% of a business’s energy consumption. And so, by opting for more eco-friendly lighting projects, it can go a long way in achieving its sustainability goals.
Increased Lifespan
Most modern lighting solutions are designed to last.
Individual bulbs and fixtures do not need to be replaced as frequently, so they help reduce overall expenses.
Less Toxic Waste
Improper waste management can have a grave impact on the environment. Traditional lighting is especially harmful in this regard, as it contains a lot more toxic chemicals than some of the more modern solutions.
For example, a traditional fluorescent bulb is said to contain 3 to 30 mg of mercury, which, when discarded improperly, will find its way into landfills.
This is something that lighting strategies for businesses must account for—to produce less waste and use little to no harmful substances.
Lower Costs
By making lighting sustainability a priority, businesses can save on utility bills and minimize costs associated with frequent replacements.
Lighting Strategies for Corporations
Now that we’ve thoroughly outlined the benefits of modern commercial lighting solutions, let’s take a closer look at what goes into a typical corporate lighting strategy.
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Traditional lighting not only consumes more energy, but also poses safety hazards, as it comes with a higher risk of fires and more toxic chemicals.
LED lighting for corporations has proven to be a game-changer.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) last almost 25 times longer than traditional bulbs while emitting 90% less carbon dioxide. This sustainable lighting solution also uses 85% less energy.
Smart Lighting Technology
Cutting-edge technology—such as switches that come equipped with automatic motion sensors or daylight harvesting systems—ensures corporations avoid unnecessary energy use. Dimmer switches and light timers have also proven to be exceptionally useful in this regard.
Modern smart lighting systems connect to the internet, so they are easily controlled remotely and set to fixed schedules.
These sustainable lighting systems can also monitor worker activity, identify areas that are lit unnecessarily, track issues related to fixtures, and ensure timely repairs.
Layout Design
Modern lighting also takes into account factors related to space optimization.
Most energy consulting services will conduct a thorough analysis of a commercial space and develop strategies to maximize the hours of natural sunlight it receives during the day. An open floor plan works best in this regard.
The most efficient lighting strategies for corporations also integrate employee behavior, ensuring that high-traffic areas are lit more brightly compared to empty spaces.
Depending on the layout of the commercial space, well-thought-out lighting strategies can also determine the ideal brightness levels needed in particular areas, increasing employee productivity while reducing energy consumption.
Audits and Assessments
A robust, sustainable lighting strategy encourages businesses to conduct regular audits and collect assessment reports of their current solutions.
This will help them understand the environmental impact of each individual fitting, identify areas where lighting strategies can be improved upon, and how long they can expect their current fixtures to last.
Access to thorough, data-driven reports can also help teams look into replacing traditional lighting solutions with products that are certified to be more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Regular Maintenance
One of the best ways to enhance lighting sustainability is by putting regular maintenance plans and schedules in place. These plans could involve simply keeping office light fixtures free of dirt and debris to help ensure that they all function at their maximum potential. Proper care and maintenance also confirm that all products are working as they should—this minimizes overall waste and maximizes the company’s investment in these new, more sustainable lighting systems.
As mentioned earlier, waste generated by traditional light fixtures could be highly toxic and stay in landfills for decades. This significantly impacts the corporation’s carbon footprint and affects the surrounding community.
It is more important than ever to be conscious of corporate emissions and develop actionable strategies in the name of sustainability.
The Bottom Line
Modern lighting strategies can completely transform a corporate space.
They help businesses reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by streamlining energy consumption, promoting crucial concepts like circularity, and reducing the risk of toxic waste.
At the same time, sustainable lighting can promote employee productivity—these highly efficient fixtures brighten up a space by reducing flickers and glares. They also give the office a more modern and stylish look.
If you’re looking for a company that designs, manufactures, and deploys end-to-end sustainable custom lighting solutions, look no further than NRG Incentives. Our experienced team has worked with many businesses to develop sophisticated lighting strategies that help them achieve optimum performance with a minimal carbon footprint.
And that’s not all. We also offer utility outreach services that will help you take advantage of local, state, and federal grants that promote LED lighting for corporations. This can help you save thousands of dollars on utility bills each year.
Contact NRG Incentives today to see what we can do for you.
