Looking for one of the fastest, easiest ways to cut your power bill? Start with lighting.
Switching to LED lighting—and pairing it with smart automation—can dramatically reduce your building’s energy consumption, improve comfort, and lower peak demand. For most Alberta businesses, it’s a no-brainer upgrade with a fast ROI.
Here’s why lighting matters, and how to make the most of the opportunity.
💡 Why Lighting Still Matters
Lighting typically accounts for 15–30% of a commercial building’s energy use, depending on the facility type. In older buildings with fluorescent or halogen fixtures, that number is even higher.
Outdated lighting contributes to:
- Excessive electricity costs
- High heat loads (which then increase HVAC use)
- Poor quality light, which can affect productivity and safety
🔄 Why LED Is a Game-Changer
Modern LED technology offers:
- 70–90% less energy use than halogens or incandescents
- Dimmable, flicker-free, full-spectrum light
- Long life span (50,000–100,000 hours)
- Lower maintenance costs
- Reduced cooling load, since LEDs emit less heat
For most businesses, the ROI on a full LED retrofit is under 2 years—often even less when paired with automation.
🤖 Add Automation = Even Bigger Savings
Lighting automation allows you to use less light, more strategically. Here’s how:
1. Occupancy Sensors
Turn lights off when spaces aren’t in use—especially valuable in:
- Offices
- Bathrooms
- Warehouses
- Hallways
2. Daylight Harvesting
Sensors detect natural light and dim indoor lighting to save energy—ideal for buildings with large windows or skylights.
3. Scheduled Lighting Zones
Create different schedules for different zones of your building, minimizing unnecessary nighttime usage.
4. Smart Building Integration
Lighting systems can integrate with HVAC and security to further optimize operations and reduce load.
💡 Peak Demand Reduction, Too
By reducing overall load—and especially usage during peak hours—LEDs and lighting controls can help you avoid rate class bumps and flatten your demand curve, lowering your delivery charges over time.
📉 TL;DR
LED lighting saves 70–90% over traditional fixtures
Adding automation multiplies your savings and reduces waste
Reduced lighting load = less HVAC = lower peak demand
Fast ROI, low disruption, high impact
👋 Want a Lighting Retrofit Plan?
We help Alberta businesses upgrade their lighting systems and integrate automation—with fast installs, clean layouts, and rebate-eligible options.
📩 Email us [email protected] for help with your LED Lighting Upgrade) for a free lighting and load reduction quote.