Stay Current: Ways to Introduce Smart Lighting into Your Commercial Space

In this day and age, installing smart lighting in your commercial building or office space is a great way to boost the efficiency of your operations and save money while doing it. The practical benefits of smart systems are hard to beat and making the transition has a lower overhead cost than you might think. 

 

Our electrical systems experts share some of the best ways to introduce smart lighting into your commercial space, so you can see for yourself the impact that this technology can have. 

 

 

What's the Deal with Smart Lighting? 

 

A smart lighting system gives you the flexibility to control your LED lights remotely. In essence, a software system communicates with the lights to instruct it when and what to do before power is supplied. Typically, this is controlled by an app or smart home – in this case, office – assistant. 

 

There are countless benefits to making use of smart lighting, such as: 

 

  • A substantial reduction in energy consumption 

  • Which means lower operational costs and a higher net operating income 

  • The potential to apply for a green building certificate and the associated rebates  

  • The ability to analyze when and where power is being used to figure out when it is not needed 

  • The power to automate lighting depending on room occupancy 

  • Comfortable lighting throughout the day that boosts productivity 

  • Remote control of lighting 

 

Adding Smart Lighting to Commercial Building 

Let's explore three methods to incorporate smart lighting into your commercial space. When you decide you're ready to make the change, our commercial electrical contractors at Axiom Power are ready to help! 

 

1. Power Over Ethernet (PoE) 

 

PoE uses ethernet cables to distribute power and data. Also known as category cables or CAT series cables, these can be used to control telephones, Wi-Fi routers, security cameras, or retrofitted/compatible LED Lighting.   

 

Although this is the most expensive option we will discuss since LED lights must be retrofitted or PoE-compatible, there are also plenty of benefits. These include: 

 

  • Long-term cost savings from increased energy efficiency 

  • Operational cost savings since it's easy to automate and optimize connected building systems 

  • Safe and easy installation 

  • Fewer cables required compared to typical electrical systems 

  • Since it uses low-voltage power, mechanical protection is unnecessary 

  • Provides flexibility to control specific devices 

 

2. Intelligent Low Voltage DC Power Distribution 

 

This option enables smart lighting through the process of retrofitting a low-voltage power distribution system. This option also conserves a lot of energy. 

 

Traditional electrical systems in commercial spaces rely on alternating current or AC power, even though the majority of devices rely on Direct current or DC power. Most devices have an integrated converter to make the switch from AC to DC, but each time power is converted, energy gets wasted. With this kind of system, far less energy goes down the drain.  

 

The benefits? They are many: 

 

  • Up to 20% energy consumption savings 

  • Safe and easy installation  

  • Less expensive than PoE 

  • Transforms cheaper, native devices into smart devices 

  • May be able to communicate with BACnet on a building automation system 

  • Allows for daisy chaining to save on cabling costs  

 

3. Intelligent High Voltage AC Power 

 

This is the cheapest way to implement smart lighting into your property, although it does not save as much energy. It doesn't require any additional cabling, and you can still indirectly save on operational costs and general workflow efficiency.  

 

If you want to incorporate smart lighting, but are just getting started and don't have a large budget, this might be the best option for you. To achieve this, you can install smart bulbs or switches.  

 

Lightbulb Moment > All About Retrofitting Your LEDs 

 

 

Get Smart with Axiom Power 

 

Smart lighting can be a cost-effective and efficient way to conserve energy and streamline operations within your business with greater ease. Both PoE and intelligent low-voltage DC power distribution systems will help your commercial space achieve these goals. 

 

If you are looking for a way to monitor, control, automate, and optimize your energy usage, smart lighting is for you! Contact Axiom Power today to brighten up your business. With our licensed electricians, you’ll have No Problems, Just Solutions. 

Gregory Bennettsmart lighting, LED lighting, LED high bay lighting, commercial energy audit, commercial electrician, commercial lighting install, commercial lighting trends, tampa commercial electrician, orlando electrician