The Pros and Cons of LED Lights: Are LED Lights Better?

When considering the pros and cons of LED lights, many businesses consider the cost to upgrade as the first priority. Because LED lights are a superior type of commercial light for businesses, they are more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs. This can cause some companies to avoid switching to LED commercial lighting.

In reality, the cost of LED lighting is quickly offset by its longer lamp life, low energy use, and high efficiency. 

Considering an upgrade? Read this Complete Commercial LED Lighting Guide to decide if LED is right for your business.

Pros and Cons of LED Lighting

Adoption of commercial LED lighting is rapidly increasing. Over 60% of businesses have already switched. Experts predict savings of $18 billion in energy costs by 2024.

As you decide whether upgrading to LED lights is right for your business, consider these pros and cons of LED lighting.

Pro #1 - LED Lights are Energy Efficient  

Smart businesses know that controlling operating expenses is the key to increasing profitability. This includes energy costs.

LED commercial lighting is 90% more energy efficient than traditional incandescent lighting.

Energy efficient LED light bulbs use less energy than other commercial lighting options, which means lower energy bills. 

Pro #2 - LED Lights Save Businesses Money

Investing in LED lighting protects your bottom line. Energy bills drop instantly when you upgrade, because LED lights typically use 25 to 80% less energy than other alternatives. 

Individual businesses can save $10,000s of dollars per year by switching to LED lighting. 

LED lamps last up to 50,000 hours, or 25x longer than incandescent bulbs. This means bulbs don’t have to be replaced as frequently, which further reduces annual lighting budgets. 

Pro #3 - LED Lights Are Better for Our Health

If 2020 taught us anything it’s that protecting our employee and customer health is vital.

When incandescent or fluorescent bulbs break, they release toxic vapors. This isn’t a concern with LED lighting. 

LED lights are mercury- and lead-free. This means they’re less toxic than other commercial lighting options.

Plus, LED lights release less heat and stay cool to the touch. This reduces the risk of burns and fires if someone or something comes in contact with the bulb. 

Pro #4 - LED Lights Provide Safer Work Spaces

You can direct your LED lamp beams exactly where you need them, whether that’s task lighting for employees or illuminating dark parking structures. This reduces workplace accidents related to poor lighting and keeps both employees and customers safe after dark. 

Different businesses have different lighting needs. Read this Complete Commercial LED Lighting Guide to learn more about how LED lighting helps retail property owners, restaurants, schools, warehouses, and more.

Con #1 - Initial Cost of LED

Commercial lighting upgrades can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Although LED lights can be more expensive than other types of commercial lighting, researchers predict an aggressive decline in the price of LED lights.

Energy efficiency grants for businesses and working with a Lighting-as-a-Service partner can further reduce the initial cost of LED lighting.

A longer lamp life and overall energy savings quickly offset the average lifetime cost of LED lighting.

Con #2 - Implementing LED Lights

Because LED lighting is so customizable, finding the right types of LED fixtures and bulbs for each area of a building can be confusing. From task lighting to parking structures, LED lighting can be used across a property with great success.

Working with a lighting partner who is experienced with commercial installation can simplify this process and greatly reduce the time it takes to upgrade.

Often, the right lighting partner can upgrade your property with zero downtime. 

Businesses can upgrade to LED lighting with zero downtime. Read this Complete Commercial LED Lighting Guide to find out how.

Con #3 - LED Compatibility

Some LED fixtures may not be dimmer compatible which can be especially problematic for restaurants and retail locations. As LED adoption continues to increase, there are more and more lighting options available. The right lighting partner can advise on which fixtures will work best to light different areas at different times of day. 

Fortunately, the pros of LED lighting – cost savings, energy efficiency, and safety, to name a few – far outweigh any concerns businesses may have about switching. With so much economic uncertainty impacting small businesses, it’s important to take a close look at operating expenses and make immediate changes to reduce overall costs.

Energy expenses are one of the largest burdens on a small business’s bottom line.

Upgrading to LED lighting with no out-of-pocket upfront costs is a smart first step to take control of profitability.