If you are ready for a crash course in industrial lighting, you came to the right place. At NetZero Energy, our team does industrial lighting design, and we know a thing or two about energy efficiency. Overall, LED lighting for industrial use is the winner. No alternative to industrial LED lighting meets the demands of being long-lasting, low-maintenance, and the winner regarding energy efficiency.
Here are the seven considerations when selecting LED lighting for industrial spaces.
1. Lighting Location
Choosing the right light for the job is about matching the fixture and the lightbulb to the location and what you’re using it for.
If it’s for the outdoors, you’ll want it to be durable—waterproof, weatherproof, and built to last.
Indoor setups are all about fitting in with the space, so pick a light that works with your ceiling height, wiring, and mounting options.
Examples of LED Lighting for Industrial Use
Here are examples of how LED lighting can be used effectively in industrial settings.
➤ Warehouse Aisles
LED high-bay lights are ideal for warehouses with tall ceilings and narrow aisles. They deliver strong, even light distribution and can be paired with motion sensors, so lights are only on when needed—cutting energy costs.
➤ Manufacturing Floors
LEDs create clear, steady illumination for areas requiring bright, consistent lighting, such as assembly lines or inspection zones. Their low heat output helps maintain a comfortable working environment, which is vital for employees working long shifts.
➤ Parking Lots and Outdoor Areas
Outdoor LED floodlights benefit industrial parking lots and loading docks. These lights are
usually weatherproof and have a high-lumen output, creating visibility and safety for vehicles
and pedestrians.
➤ Cold Storage Facilities
LEDs thrive in cold environments, unlike traditional lights that often flicker or struggle in low temperatures. In refrigerated warehouses or freezers, LEDs are dependable, energy-efficient lighting that keeps products visible and well-lit.
➤ Task-Specific Zones
Industrial facilities often have specific workstations that require focused lighting, like inspection tables or quality control areas. LED task lights create targeted illumination, reducing eye strain and increasing precision.
➤ Emergency Exits and Pathways
LED strip lighting and emergency lights along floors or doorways create visibility during power outages or emergencies. LEDs last longer and are more reliable, making them ideal for safety lighting.
LED lights have long lifespans, low maintenance needs, and excellent energy savings in all these industrial locations—key benefits for any high-use industrial environment.
2. Beam Angle and Light Spread
You want to select a light for each location with the appropriate beam angle for the fixture position, and that throws a beam, which spreads the light evenly over the illuminated area. The beam angle measures the width of the beam, and the beam spread is how far the beam reaches.
For lighting focused on a task area, use a narrow beam and a lower beam spread. For general area lighting, use a wider beam with a larger spread.
3. Color Temperature and Color Rendering Index
The color temperature is how “warm” or “cool” the light is measured in Kelvins (K). The color rendering index (CRI) measures how accurately colors show under that light.
Warmer lighting colors, like 2,700K to 3,000K, are excellent for cozy, relaxing spaces. Daylight is 4,000K to 5,000 K. Bright, cool-white light is 5,000K to 6,500 K. That light works for energetic spaces.
The higher values with the CRI of 82+ make it easier to see true colors.
4. Lumens
Pick a light with the right power and brightness mix for your industrial space. Wattage tells you how much energy the light consumes, while lumens measure the brightness you’ll get. Usually, more watts mean more lumens; however, with higher watts, more energy is used, and heat is generated.
To keep it efficient, check out the wattage-to-lumens comparison chart below and see how standard metal halide light sizes compare against industrial LEDs.
Wattage to Lumens Comparison Chart
Metal Halide wattage | Metal Halide lumens | LED wattages | LED lumens |
50W | 2,000 | 15W-20W | 2,000 |
100W | 4,600 | 36W-40W | 4,600 |
175W | 9,000 | 64W-80W | 9,000 |
250W | 14,000 | 100W-120W | 14,000 |
LEDs are vastly better at energy efficiency, and that is why, at NetZero Energy, we recommend conversion to LED or new LED lighting installations over any alternative.
5. Energy Efficiency
LED lighting for industrial spaces uses up to 75% less energy than other lighting types. LED lighting in industrial applications has increased, saving businesses in America billions of dollars in energy costs annually.
Return on Investment
Here is how to calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your LED upgrade or new installation in your industrial space.
1. Calculate initial investment
Include the price of all LED lights, fixtures, and any installation labor costs.
Subtract any rebates or tax credits from the initial cost.
2. Estimate annual energy savings
Compare the wattage of your old lighting system with the wattage of the new LED system.
Annual Energy Consumption for Old Lighting = Old Wattage x Hours Used Per Year
Annual Energy Consumption for LED Lighting = LED Wattage x Hours Used Per Year
Find the difference in energy consumption between the old and LED lighting systems, then multiply by the electricity cost per kWh.
3. Account for Maintenance Savings
Estimate the annual maintenance costs of the old lighting versus the expected maintenance for the new LED system.
4. Total Annual Savings = Annual Energy Savings + Annual Maintenance Savings
5. Calculate ROI and Payback Period
ROI (%) = (Total Annual Savings / Initial Investment) x 100
Payback Period (in years) = Initial Investment / Total Annual Savings
The ROI percentage gives you a snapshot of the efficiency of your investment, while the payback period tells you how long it’ll take to recoup the initial cost through savings. After recoupment, it's all savings go directly to the bottom line.
6. Weatherproofing
Installing outside lighting fixtures means exposure to severe weather conditions in the northwest. The LED bulbs must be protected from moisture and rated for use in severe winters and hot summers.
We have many successful installations in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska and know what to look for when selecting equipment for a particular industrial lighting job.
7. Maintenance
A decisive factor in our recommendation of LED lighting is that maintenance of an LED lighting system for an industrial space is a breeze. LED bulbs have a lifespan of 20,000 up to 100,000 hours, so you will be pleasantly surprised how long they last. We recommend using quality LED lighting fixtures suitable for the conditions, especially the harsh weather we experience in the northwestern states of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed? Don’t Worry
That’s a lot of information to absorb. The good news is you don’t need to know everything in detail. Having a general overview of the process for selecting industrial lighting is helpful. Then, let the experts at NetZero Energy build a lighting design for your industrial space that meets your requirements. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.