The “why” behind warehouse lighting should be understood before diving into its best principles. As a businessman, you need to think about how these aspects can improve your business’ quality, efficiency, and revenue. Do I really want to invest in this or am I just wasting money on people’s preferences?
The following are some of the main benefits of adequate warehouse lighting from an entrepreneurial perspective:
Energy efficiency
That’s why you should consider improving the lighting in your warehouse. A modern LED light uses only a fraction of the energy traditional bulbs use to produce the same amount of light, and it is much more durable. Low electricity bills and lower maintenance costs are the result, as lighting experts at Vetter’s Electric explain
Improved employee safety
The warehouse workplace is highly prone to workplace accidents due to the fact that warehouse workers must operate heavy machinery, be efficient, and handle the merchandise carefully. A serious accident could endanger the lives of your employees and jeopardize the reputation and wellbeing of your business. Proper lighting can prevent many of these accidents, since people can see what’s in front of (or above) them better.
Fewer work errors
The ability to conduct everyday tasks requires light. Because we have artificial lighting, we are able to work nightshifts. We could not work otherwise because the sun is still up and shining. Poorly lit warehouses will not produce the desired results primarily because no one will be able to perform tasks correctly, especially if they involve handling small, complex, or fragile items.
Prevents damage
Low visibility and poor lighting can lead to the misplacement, misuse, or damage of goods, resulting in a business loss. In contrast, appropriate lighting prevents these errors and protects the items and products from physical harm.
Maintains temperature
A warehouse may need to maintain a certain temperature depending on the type of products it stores and handles. It is not only that cheap bulbs and lighting fixtures don’t provide adequate light, but they also produce excess heat. LED high bay lights, on the other hand, are particularly suitable for warehouses since they produce less heat without sacrificing light quality.
Effective ways to improve warehouse lighting
Warehouse lighting must be designed thoughtfully in order to reap these benefits. Planning for the future means using the right materials, designing an effective lighting layout, and choosing the right materials. Surely you will not move your lighting fixtures every few years? The process would be expensive and inefficient.
You need to take into account all of these aspects when determining your lighting requirements in warehouses because they have high ceilings, wide floors, and a lot of elevated shelves.
Strive for maximum optimization
Consider rearranging your warehouse to make it more efficient for your business and easier to choose light fixtures before you start replacing light fixtures. As an example, aisles benefit most from linear lighting, while large areas require high bay lights that have enough power to illuminate large areas. Identify the best type of lighting for each of these areas and group them together.
Take into consideration unique aspects
If there are particular circumstances unique to your warehouse that may influence your lighting decision, make sure to take them into consideration as well. It may be possible to incorporate some natural light inside a warehouse, for example, if it has huge windows. Also, if the ceiling is multileveled, you may need to choose different lighting options to accommodate the differences in ceiling height.
Think long-term
Warehouse lighting can be costly long-term and some people end up regretting their decision. It is true that the initial cost of purchasing and installing a lighting system will be insignificant in comparison to the electricity bills you’ll have in years or decades to come. When you plan on managing a successful business for many years to come, you need to choose energy-efficient options that won’t affect your budget in the long run.
Consider lighting color as well
When it comes to contrast and clarity, the color of the light you use is crucial. The best possible light should be provided to employees who will be reading labels throughout the warehouse on a regular basis. Before you purchase a light, do your research and learn more about how different colors may affect warehouse processes.
