In most laboratory environments, conversations about efficiency and productivity typically revolve around process—how to accelerate throughput and time to results, without compromising accuracy or safety. In most cases, it involves capital investment for new or upgraded equipment, procedural improvements and other operational enhancements.
However, one of the easiest and least expensive, yet most dramatic, improvements to overall efficiency can be made with a simple change: changing the laboratory lights. In fact, upgrading to new high-efficiency LED fixtures can provide a near-instant boost in lab productivity, lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact. Here’s how:
1) LED fixtures eliminate maintenance costs, labor and downtime. In most labs, the lights aren’t considered a factor in productivity—if they’re even considered at all. In fact, the lights typically aren’t given much thought, unless they’re not working. Unfortunately, that can be an ongoing problem with the fluorescent fixtures most commonly found in lab environments. Bulb changes can be a never-ending chore as the flickering of a failing fluorescent tube signals an annoying alert that it’s about to go out every few months. LED fixtures, on the other hand, offer a much longer lifespan, typically lasting at least five years, with some of the most advanced now warranted to last up to 10, eliminating the cost of new bulbs, maintenance labor and the production downtime often required. Switching to LED lighting also brings an end to the storage challenge presented by delicate fluorescent tubes, freeing up additional lab space for productive use. With no replacement bulbs and ballasts to buy, no maintenance staff time consumed and no downtime for lightbulb changes, an upgrade to LED fixtures allows the organization to spend those funds elsewhere, on investments that contribute to the bottom line.
2) LED fixtures reduce energy consumption and costs by up to 60 percent. Often touted as the primary benefit of LED lighting, the energy efficiency of these low-wattage fixtures can be a major boon to the bottom line. The top-performing LED fixtures can cut energy use nearly in half per fixture compared to fluorescents and other conventional lights for immediate and significant energy savings … and they do so without compromising visibility. In fact, modern LEDs offer much greater visual clarity and color rendering than conventional light sources, which makes for a safer lab environment, and one that’s more pleasing to the eye for staff.
3) LED fixtures reduce carbon footprint. Because LEDs consume far less electricity than their conventional counterparts, they also greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a result, thereby contributing significantly toward greener, more sustainable operations. In addition, the long-life performance of LEDs means no burned out bulbs to dispose of, eliminating hazardous waste disposal issues, which not only saves money but also reduces environmental impact. For lab facilities keen on reducing their carbon footprint, an upgrade to high-efficiency LEDs is a big step in the right direction.
Improving operational efficiency is a primary objective for most laboratories, which must also be mindful of safety and integrity. Upgrading to ultra-reliable, high-efficiency and sustainable LED fixtures can be a simple solution to solving some of the most nagging obstacles to achieving optimal productivity while maintaining, or even improving, lab safety and accuracy.