Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing UFO High Bay Lights

Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing UFO High Bay Lights

Upgrading your lighting to UFO high bay LEDs is one of the smartest investments a business can make. However, like any major purchase, there are common pitfalls that can turn a great investment into a costly mistake. For facility managers and business owners across the United States, understanding these errors is the key to a successful project.

Here are the top five mistakes to avoid when purchasing UFO high bay lights.

Mistake 1: Focusing on Wattage Instead of Lumens

This is the most frequent and costly mistake. For decades, we've associated a bulb's brightness with its wattage. A 100-watt incandescent was brighter than a 60-watt one. With LED technology, this rule is obsolete.

• The Science: Watts measure energy consumption, while lumens measure the total amount of light output. LEDs are incredibly efficient, so a low-wattage LED fixture can produce far more lumens than a high-wattage traditional light.

• The Pitfall: A buyer might purchase a "150W LED high bay" assuming it's bright enough to replace their old 400W metal halide, only to find the lumen output is inadequate. Conversely, they might overpay for an overly powerful fixture they don't need.

• The Fix: Always specify your lighting needs in lumens. Use a simple light plan or consult a professional to determine the required lumen count for your space based on ceiling height and desired foot-candle level.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the Color Temperature (Kelvin)

The "feel" of a light is determined by its color temperature, measured in Kelvin (K). Choosing the wrong color can affect both productivity and comfort.

• The Science: Color temperature describes the warmth or coolness of a light's hue. Lower Kelvin values (e.g., 2700K) are warm and yellowish, while higher values (e.g., 6500K) are cool and bluish, resembling daylight.

• The Pitfall: Installing a 3000K warm white light in a manufacturing plant can create a sleepy, low-energy environment. Similarly, a 6500K light might be too harsh for a showroom or gymnasium, causing discomfort.

• The Fix: Stick to the industry standard for your application. For most industrial and commercial spaces, a 5000K (neutral white) color temperature is the optimal choice. It provides a crisp, bright light that enhances visual clarity and promotes alertness.

Mistake 3: Skipping Quality Certifications

In a crowded market, it's easy to be tempted by a low price. However, without proper certifications, you risk buying an unsafe or non-compliant product.

• The Science: Safety and performance standards are set by third-party organizations to ensure products are reliable and safe.

• The Pitfall: A cheap, uncertified fixture might have a lifespan far shorter than advertised, or worse, it could be a fire or electrical hazard. Furthermore, without a DLC (DesignLights Consortium) certification, you will not be eligible for the valuable utility rebates offered across the U.S.

• The Fix: Always verify that the UFO high bay you're considering is UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed for safety and DLC Certified for energy efficiency. These certifications are your assurance of quality and eligibility for cost-saving incentives.

Mistake 4: Underestimating the Importance of an IP Rating

The ingress protection (IP) rating tells you how well a fixture is sealed against environmental contaminants like dust and moisture.

• The Science: The IP code consists of two digits. The first indicates protection against solids (dust), and the second indicates protection against liquids (water).

• The Pitfall: A buyer might install a fixture with a low IP rating in a dusty warehouse or a damp food processing plant. Dust can build up on internal components, causing them to overheat and fail prematurely. Moisture can cause short circuits and corrosion.

• The Fix: For most industrial and commercial applications, a minimum IP65 rating is a non-negotiable requirement. The "6" ensures it is completely dust-tight, and the "5" protects it from low-pressure water jets, making it suitable for most demanding environments.

Mistake 5: Neglecting Smart Control Options

Buying a UFO high bay without dimming or sensor capabilities is a missed opportunity for further energy savings.

• The Science: Modern high bay fixtures are designed to integrate with 0-10V dimming systems and a variety of sensors. This allows for dynamic lighting control.

• The Pitfall: A business might install a powerful, non-dimmable light in a low-traffic area, wasting energy by keeping it at full brightness 24/7.

• The Fix: Choose a fixture with dimming capabilities and consider adding motion or daylight sensors. This allows the lights to automatically dim or turn off when a space is unoccupied or when there's enough natural light, providing additional energy savings on top of the already-efficient LED technology.