Smart retailers like Orla Kiely know that the right LEDs can improve aesthetics and efficiency
1) LEDs save money.
Because LEDs are so much more energy-efficient than halogen lights, smart retailers know they can save money on their utility bill every month by upgrading to LEDs. The average Building Hero customer saves over $2,000 per year in electricity costs by upgrading to LEDs, and for our larger customers (such as 10,000 square foot furniture showrooms), this can be high as $15,000 per year.
2) LEDs run cool, and make retail spaces much more comfortable.
Most existing retail lights run between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Having all those little heaters in your ceiling will make your space hot! As a retailer, you either have to live with the extra heat – creating an uncomfortable space, annoying your staff and turning off your customers. Or you have to crank up the A/C to keep the space comfortable, running up your utility bill even further.
Since LEDs run much closer to room temperature, your space will be much more comfortable during the hot summer months after you upgrade.
3) LEDs don’t have to be changed frequently
Most retailers struggle to keep all of their lights on at any given time. It can be tough – halogen lights burn out often, and getting up on the ladder to replace them at any given time is a hassle.
LEDs are great because they’re so easy to maintain. LEDs generally have manufacturer’s warranties of at least 3 years. Of course the warranty doesn’t mean that LEDs are perfect and never fail, but it does mean that they fail significantly less often than halogen lights. That means you and your employees can spend less time changing light bulbs and more time focusing on your core business and making your customers happy.
4) LEDs don’t emit damaging UV light
If you’re like most of our retail customers, you love your product. So why use halogen lighting that puts off harmful UV rays and can damage precious merchandise? Be it sweaters, wine, art or whatever your special products are, subjecting them to heat and UV light will shorten their shelf life. LEDs don’t put off any UV light, and therefore will make your product last longer.
5) LEDs use much less electricity, and help you do the right thing for the environment
For most of our retail customers, lighting makes up about 40% of their electricity usage every month (before they upgrade to LEDs). By slashing electricity usage up to 90%, switching to LEDs is one of the most impactful things a retailer can do to lessen their impact on the environment and live up to corporate sustainability goals.
This can also lead to great publicity – check out one of our customers, Junior Lowe, who was recently recognized for being a green leader in Brooklyn.
6) The right LEDs look great
Retail managers often don’t know where to start with getting the right LEDs for high-end retail spaces. Their space is their baby, so the aesthetic trumps energy use or ease of maintenance. For many, that means sticking with the tried and true halogen bulbs, despite their inefficiencies.
Thankfully, the LED market has come a looong way over the past 18 months, and that means there are really great LEDs available to make your space look awesome. We know the best LEDs on the market and would be happy to help you get some in your space. Check out photos of our happy customers for more examples of how LEDs can make your space beautiful.
7) Upgrading to LEDs is easy to do
Many busy retail managers are turned off by the thought of an LED upgrade. After all, with so much already on your plate, who has time for another construction headache? Thankfully, LED upgrades are very easy to complete and generally require no construction for most retail environments.
Especially when you have an LED expert help you with the upgrade, it can be quite easy. Building Hero has helped nearly 100 customers in San Francisco and New York City upgrade their lights to LEDs, but we’re not the only ones who are great at getting LEDs into retail spaces.
Got questions? Email us at info@buildinghero.com or call us at (888) 951-6698.
