Have You Done Your Lighting Energy Audit? Here's Why It's important
For most commercial and industrial facilities, lighting operates in the background — an essential utility that is often overlooked until a utility bill arrives. These costs, which can represent a significant portion of a building's total energy consumption, are often accepted as a fixed, unavoidable expense.
Here at CLI Services, we challenge that assumption. With nearly 50 years of dedicated experience across Colorado, we know that your lighting system holds immense, untapped potential for savings and operational improvement. The key to unlocking it all begins with a single, foundational step: a comprehensive lighting energy audit.
Identifying Inefficiencies
A primary goal of our lighting energy audit is to pinpoint exactly where your facility is losing energy. This involves a meticulous, room-by-room evaluation of your current lighting system, from the types of bulbs and fixtures to their operational hours and controls.
We analyze consumption data and measure key metrics like foot-candle levels to find areas that are over-lit or using outdated, high-wattage technology. This detailed inventory uncovers hidden costs and creates a data-driven path toward a more efficient, modern system.
Enhancing Your Environment
Beyond cost savings, the quality of your lighting has a direct impact on your environment. Poor lighting — including issues like flickering, inconsistent brightness, and poor color rendering — can cause employee eye strain and headaches, hurting productivity. Our audit assesses these qualitative factors to ensure your space is not only efficient but also safe, comfortable, and welcoming. A well-designed system can boost morale, improve focus, and enhance the overall safety and security of your property for staff and customers alike.
Gaining Control Over Costs
Implementing intelligent controls is one of the most effective ways to slash unnecessary energy use. During an audit, we identify the best opportunities to integrate technologies like occupancy sensors for low-traffic areas, daylight harvesting sensors that dim lights when natural light is present, and network-based scheduling. This gives you granular, automated control over your system, ensuring lights are only on when and where needed. This level of management eliminates energy waste and translates directly into lower monthly utility bills.
Reducing Long-Term Maintenance
A significant, often-underestimated benefit of a lighting upgrade is the drastic reduction in maintenance burdens. Traditional lighting systems require frequent bulb and ballast replacements, which costs money in both materials and labor, and can cause operational disruptions. Modern LEDs, by contrast, have lifespans that are five to ten times longer.
Our audit projects these long-term savings, showing how an upgrade means fewer service calls, less time spent on lifts, and a more reliable, "set-it-and-forget-it" lighting system for years to come.
Achieving Greener Outcomes
Sustainability is a business imperative. Upgrading your lighting is a powerful, visible step toward reducing your company’s carbon footprint. Our audit provides a detailed roadmap for transitioning to energy-efficient LEDs, which are mercury-free and fully recyclable. This not only lowers energy consumption but also aligns your business with modern environmental standards. Furthermore, we identify potential utility rebates and tax incentives, making your commitment to sustainability an even smarter financial decision.
Ultimately, a lighting audit is far more than a technical assessment; it's a strategic investment in the future of your business. It provides a clear, actionable plan to lower your energy bills, create a safer and more productive environment, drastically reduce maintenance demands, and meet critical sustainability goals. It transforms a passive operational cost into a controllable asset.
To discover the full potential waiting in your facility, learn how CLI Services can help. Contact our team today to discuss how a professional lighting audit can illuminate the path to a brighter, more efficient future for your organization.