At construction and other work sites, a job well done is entirely dependent on being able to see properly. However, this can be a challenge when crews are working in dim conditions or through dark, nighttime hours. While portable, temporary lights can make operating in dark environments a non-issue, not all temporary lights are created equal. To keep things safe, to maintain quality standards, and to keep energy costs down you need bright, efficient lights with the durability to withstand abuse and changes in temperature.
Today you can choose from a variety of temporary lights, including HID, fluorescent, and incandescent, but we feel none of these have as many benefits as modern, LED lights. Here’s why…
Benefits of LED Temporary Lighting
Improved Illumination
Thanks to major advancements in LED technology, they now produce brilliant, bright light with superior clarity and color rendering. Cool, glare-free varieties reduce eye strain and are preferred for enhancing worker performance.
Lower Energy Demands
Although LEDs are stunningly bright, they draw less energy than ordinary bulbs. It’s not uncommon for someone to see a 50% to 80% reduction in lighting costs after switching from other bulbs. The LED’s lower energy needs is not only a money saver, but it’s also convenient, since you can have longer cable runs and string more lights to a single a source. Furthermore, you can pass the savings onto your customers and attract even more business.
Long Life & Low Maintenance
Because these lights last for 50,000 hours or more, they save a significant amount of time and money usually devoted to replacing burned out, hard-to-reach bulbs. Depending on how often you run your system, you could potentially not need to touch your LEDs for decades.
Rugged
LEDs have no filaments, are shock-resistant, and highly portable. This makes them especially suited to hold up to the bumps, falls, and dings that are all too common at temporary construction sites. Even an incandescent bulb housed in a traditional cage is about 7 times LESS strong than a shatter-resistant LED. With such toughness, you can confidently relocate your lights as needed and not worry about damage.
Multi-Directional (uni or omni)
While LEDs are traditionally known for their focused, one-directional lighting, there are now special back-to-back arrays that provide 360 degree illumination. This means they are equally effective at task and large area lighting — for both indoor and outdoor use.
Versatile
There is a huge variety of LEDs with a range of wattages, sizes, shapes, and more. This makes the technology incredibly versatile and adaptable to almost every situation. Whether you need illumination in a tent, tunnel, workshop, outdoor area, or even underwater, you can find a unit to meet your needs. They also turn on and off instantly and work optimally in cold temperatures.
The only major gripe we hear from those looking into temporary LED lighting is the cost of the bulbs. While the price of LEDs has dropped significantly in recent years and continues to go down, it’s true, they are still more expensive than most other types of lights. That said, those who have switched to LEDs know that their energy efficiency, low maintenance, and durability make for a quick ROI. If you’re not ready to take the “plunge” and swap out all your existing lights, start by experimenting with one or two LEDs to see how they compare. We think you’ll find they boost operations and make it possible to get construction jobs completed on time and on budget.