To LED or not to LED...that is the question… that many property owners often grapple with when making building upgrade decisions. Is it worth the investment? Will it save the company money? I sat down with our residential general manager and master electrician, Jason Mienscow, today to discuss.

“In commercial buildings, electrical can account for up to 60% of utility costs.” He tells me, “Lighting is a significant portion of that.” Florescent lighting needs to be replaced every 2-3 years, and, when done, the bulbs need to be properly recycled. Did you know that many of these bulbs contain mercury that can’t just be thrown out? I didn’t. When you add up the labor and materials needed to complete these replacements, coupled with the utility bills themselves, often a total LED upgrade would pay for itself in as little as two years.

LEDs can last decades, use up to 40% less energy, and don’t need to be maintained like fluorescents. Imagine doing the upgrade and instantly cutting your electric bill in half. It would be a massive savings! The replacement labor on fluorescent alone would be worth the cost of a new LED setup. Where’s the downside? Don’t worry, I’ll wait for you to come up with an answer for that one. I still can’t.

While you’re getting the work done, consider adding whole-building surge protection. As of January 1^st, 2020, in residential applications, the National Electric Code requires it on all new panels. It protects the appliances, computers, lighting, security, and other systems from internal surges throughout a house. How much more important is that for your business?

All these things, coupled with the peace of mind that comes from an extended warranty (at no additional cost, of course) by the right professional, makes the upgrade to LEDs a no brainer.

Want to know more? Visit us at BearedElectricians.com or call (844)482-6884 and ask for Jason. Don’t tell him I told you to call, though. I don’t want it to go to his head.

Gamble Wiseman handles commercial maintenance at Cotti-Johnson HVAC, Inc., Taunton, Mass.