FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about converting to LED lights. Please contact us if you have additional or more detailed questions for us. We'll be happy to answer them!

What does LED mean?

LED is short for Light Emitting Diode. 

How do LEDs work?

An LED bulb produces light by passing the electric current through a semiconducting material—the diode—which then emits photons (light) through the principle of electroluminescence. In contrast, an incandescent light bulb works by passing electricity through a small wire, or filament. The electrical resistance of the filament causes it to get so hot that it glows, producing light.

How long do LEDs last?

Over 10 years! Because LEDs are as much as 90% more effective than incandescent light bulbs, they have a much longer lifespan. This is because they have no working parts that will burn out or break over time. Many of our LED lights have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours or longer. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL.

How much money can I save off my energy bill every month?

LEDs have several advantages over conventional incandescent lamps, but their main advantage is efficiency, and this means saving you money! In traditional bulbs the light-production process involves generating a lot of heat (the filament must be warmed to illuminate). This energy is completely wasted unless you're using the lamp as a heater, because a huge portion of the available electricity isn't going toward producing visible light. LEDs generate very little heat, relatively speaking. A much higher percentage of the electrical energy is going directly to generating light, which cuts down the electricity demands considerably.

This means that updating your old, outdated incandescent or halide fixtures to LEDs can save you up to 80% off your energy bill every month!

What are the other benefits of upgrading to LEDs?

• Brighter lights: LEDs are brighter than traditional lights. Upgrading to LED lights can drastically and instantly improve the look of your business.
• Life span: LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours or more. Running constantly 12 hours a day, your lights will last over 10 years!
• Energy efficiency: LEDs offer more lumens per watt, meaning they shine brighter than halide or incandescent lights while using significantly less energy!
• Lower Maintenance Costs: LED fixtures have a long lifespan and stay bright throughout their life span. Metal halides or traditional fixtures loose their brightness very fast, requiring frequent replacements at an overall higher maintenance cost
• Exceptional color range: LEDs offer a wide range of color and color temperatures that can be individually suited for your place of business.
• Low radiated heat: help keep your workers or customers cooler. An incandescent bulb operates by heating its filament to a temperature that produces light, but an LED bulb emits electromagnetic energy as light when electrified. By turning energy into light instead of heat (rather than using heat to generate light), LEDs are able to operate at a significantly lower temperature than other types of light. Thus, you will save additional money on your power bill during hot months of the year, because you'll run your air conditioner less.
• Reliability: LEDs can operate safely in colder temperatures, and can withstand more impact and vibration than other light bulbs because they have no filaments or other fragile parts. This stability makes them ideal for use in areas that will be subject to temperature fluctuations or jostling, such as factories and warehouses.
• Instantaneous illumination: LEDs can operate at full brightness from the moment you flip the switch, no more waiting for the lights to turn on.
• High CRI (Color Rendering Index): if your employees have to sit in an office for extended periods of time, it is very important to have great lighting in your place of business.  LEDs have a very high CRI value. Your employees will be able to see better, their eyes won't get tired as quickly, and ultimately their work performance will increase!
• Fewer fixtures are needed to get the same light output of traditional lights. In addition, LED lights are designed to distribute light more evenly, meaning you'll need less fixtures overall and you'll save even more money.
• Safety: There's fewer crimes in well-lit areas. Customers won't shop where they don't feel safe. Upgrading to LED means more shoppers and more profit to your business. Additionally, poor lighting also prevents surveillance cameras from recording properly. LED fixtures eliminate dark spots and gaps on your recording footage.

What are the benefits of installing motion controls and dimmers?

Motion Control means that your lights will stay off and turn on automatically only when motion is detected. This will give you the most energy savings (up to 80%) as lights are only turned on when used. You don't need to rely on your employees to turn off the lights when done working.

A Dimmable function is important if you don't need it as bright in certain areas as in others in your warehouse or place of business. Dimmers integrate seamlessly into LED fixtures, and give you control of the brightness.

Are LEDs expensive?

LEDs are more expensive to purchase than regular incandescent lights or halide fixtures. However, because LEDs are so much more efficient to operate (meaning they use a lot less power, and your energy bill will drop significantly), they last much longer, and have a much lower maintenance cost, LEDs are in reality much cheaper than incandescent lights over the long term.

What kind of LED lights do you install?

We install all kinds of LED lights that are used in commercial or industrial settings. For example: Parking lot lights, Flood Lights, Area Lights, Wall Packs, Dusk to Dawn Lights, Bollard Lights, High Bay Lights, Low Bay Lights, UFO Lights, Lighting Strips, Linear Fixtures, Bulbs, Tubes, Explosion-Proof Lights for Hazardous Areas, Troffers, Ceiling Light Panels, Linear Strip Lights, Recessed Lights. 

As there are many different LED products and every customer and project is different, it is important to work together with a knowledgable company like us, to find the best lighting solutions for your business. 

What is retrofitting?

LED retrofitting means to replace your existing lighting with a new and better lighting technology. It is essentially a conversion of an existing fixture (whether it be CFL, Fluorescent, Incandescent, etc) to a LED lighting fixture. A lot of our customers prefer retrofitting. Sometimes however, it is not possible or practical to retrofit an existing fixture to LED – in those cases we would replace the entire existing fixture with a new LED fixture.

What is CRI (Color Rendering Index) and why is it important?

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measurement of Quality of Light and it accounts for how people perceive light. It is measured on a scale between 0-100, where 100 is excellent. LEDs tend to have a very high CRI value. This means that with LEDs, color can be perceived more accurately and it helps prevent eye strain and headaches. This is very important for employees working in office, warehouse, and factory settings. 

What is a color temperature?

Color temperature on a LED light is measured in Kelvins (K) and indicates how warm or cool the color of the light appears. There are three common ranges: Warm Light (2700K-3000K); Cool White (3000K-5000K), and Daylight (5000K-6500K). Warm Light resembles the color of an incandescent; looking orange or yellow. Cool White ranges from Yellow-White (3000K) to White (4000K) to Blue-White (5000K). 

What temperatures do LEDs work under?

Most LED lights will work between -30°C and 60°C (-22°F and 140°F). This means that LEDs are suitable for a wide range of applications, as they can easily survive hot and cold climates.

Are LEDs shock resistant?

Yes. LEDs are very durable and resistant against external shocks like “bumping” and “jarring”, because they are solid and do not have a filament.

My business processes food. What kind of LED lights do I need?

There are several different types or classifications of LED lights that are suitable for use in businesses that process food. These include: P69K Certified, meaning that the fixtures can withstand high levels of water jets for cleaning. NEMA Enclosure Ratings, meaning that the fixtures won't be affected by dust or other particles. Vapor Tight Fixtures, meaning that they are sealed and gasketed fixtures that provide general lighting where exposure to water, humidity and dust is likely to occur. 

What is the ROI (Return on Investment) for converting to LED Lights?

Installing LED lights has a very high ROI rate. The ROI for most companies is between 12-24 months.

What is your warranty?

We offer a 5 year warranty on our workmanship, and most of our products come with a 10 year warranty! This is 5 more years than the industry standard. We are able to do this, because we only use quality products, and our team knows what they are doing while installing them!

What kind of businesses do you work with?

We work with all kinds of businesses, in any sector. Our customers include small local businesses to large multimillion dollar businesses. We work with Hotels, Dealerships, Malls, Shopping Centers, Gyms, Schools, Universities, Airports, Train Stations, Factories, Warehouses, Retail Businesses, Financial Institutions, Doctor Offices, Hospitals, Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Theaters, Churches, Offices

Do I need to convert to LED lights if I want to install solar?

Yes. We recommend you convert to LED lights before going solar. Just by installing LEDs you will be able to save up to 80% off your energy bill. This means you will need a smaller solar system to offset your remaining bill, and are able to save even more money 

What happens to the old light fixtures that you remove?

We pride ourself in being a green, environmentally conscious company. We pick up all of the old light fixtures and take them to special recycle centers that are set-up to take old flourescent lamps and tubes

Do you offer discounts?

Yes. With most of our proposals, we are able to discount some of the LED lights. Frequently, the manufacturer or power company is offering discounts. We are able to pass along these discounts directly and up front to our customers. That way, you won't have to wait to get a rebate check in the mail from the manufacturer or power company. Your discount is already included in the proposal.

Does it cost me anything to get a proposal from you?

No. All initial consultations, lighting audits and proposals are always non-binding and free!

How do I get started? What happens next?

Get started by contacting us either by phone or e-mail, or book your free consultation/lighting audit right on our website. One of our friendly team members will be in touch with you to find a convenient time to come to your place of business, look at your old lights and give you a LED proposal specifically suited for your business needs. All of our proposals are valid for 30 days and are always non-binding and free.

How do I contact you?

You can contact us through our website, by e-mail: info@elgled.com, or phone: 559-475-0340. We are open Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm.