The Bright Idea: Why Now’s the Time to Upgrade Your Lighting to LEDs
From Firelight to Fluorescent: A Brief History of Lighting
Lighting has come a long way since the days of candles and oil lamps. In the 19th century, gas lamps brightened city streets, followed by Edison’s incandescent bulb. For decades, “the light bulb” meant a glowing filament in a glass globe—energy-hungry and short-lived.
The late 20th century brought fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescents (CFLs): better efficiency, but with drawbacks like harsh light, slow warm-up, and mercury content.
LEDs: The Evolution of Efficient Lighting
Enter LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)—the biggest leap in lighting technology yet. LEDs use a tiny chip to create light, requiring far less energy and lasting much longer than any previous technology.
Why are LEDs so much better?
Energy Savings: LEDs use up to 80% less energy than incandescents and 30% less than CFLs.
Long Life: Many LEDs last 25,000–50,000 hours—years longer than traditional bulbs.
Better Light Quality: Modern LEDs offer a range of colors and brightness, instant-on, and no flicker.
Lower Maintenance: Fewer bulb changes mean less hassle and downtime.
Environmental Benefits: LEDs contain no mercury and help reduce your carbon footprint.
Why Budget for a Lighting Upgrade Now?
As much as we don’t want to think about it, we’re already in the part of the year where daylight hours are shrinking. Before you know it, your business will be relying more on artificial lighting—so why not make sure it’s the most efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective option?
Here’s why it pays to plan a lighting upgrade in the next 12 months:
Immediate Cost Savings: Lower energy bills start as soon as you switch—unless you’re adding more bulbs or fixtures than you had before, in which case your savings may vary.
Improved Productivity: Good lighting boosts mood, focus, and safety for your team.
Sustainability: Reducing energy use is one of the fastest ways to cut your carbon footprint.
Incentives: Many utilities offer rebates or incentives for LED upgrades—don’t leave money on the table.
Future-Proofing: With energy costs rising, efficient lighting is a smart long-term investment.
Proactive Lighting = Sustainable Business
Upgrading to LEDs isn’t just about saving money—it’s a sustainable strategy that improves your workplace and helps your business do better by the planet. If you haven’t switched yet, now’s the perfect time to put lighting on your budget for the year ahead.
Want help building a business case for LED upgrades, or need guidance on where to start? Schedule a consultation with GoViably—we’re here to help you shine brighter, sustainably.
