Upgrade to LED Shop Lighting

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LED shop lighting is a significant topic nowadays, but that wasn't always the case. When I selected lighting for the Dream Shop, T8 fluorescent lights were the obvious choice. Although LED technology existed, it was prohibitively expensive. Even two years after the initial installation, retrofitting with LED bulbs wasn't justifiable. However, by 2017, five years after the Dream Shop's construction, the scenario had changed dramatically. Now, residing in a new space in Colorado, it seems that transitioning to LED shop lighting is the optimal choice.

We’re partnering exclusively with American Green Lights, who designed and supplied our lighting solution. The fixtures are PerformaLUX SL Series, available in single-strip 24 W models and 5-strip 60 W models. These units can save 50-60% compared to traditional fluorescent lights, boast a lifetime of 120,000 hours, and feature a CRI of 92-95 (for color accuracy).

The installation conditions were ideal for my setup. An attic above my garage provided full access for wiring. There was an existing light circuit, so we only needed to extend that circuit to handle the new LED shop lighting fixtures. Despite the straightforwardness, it required substantial labor, taking two people all day, with additional help in the afternoon. The end result was definitely worth it.

Below is a special supplemental article written by my friend Vic Hubbard, an energy consultant. He has some thoughts on LED lighting fixtures and options that might interest you.

I was listening to the recent discussion on workshop lighting on Woodtalk. While I may not be an absolute expert, I hope my knowledge can help you make good lighting choices. With rapid advancements in LED technology, my 2013 article for The Wood Whisperer needs an update. Most of the information, however, remains relevant.

What’s Changed?

In the energy efficiency field, where I work, we anticipated LED would be disruptive. Most of us were still surprised by how quickly this happened. The recommendations from the Illuminating Engineer's Society of North America (IESNA) for new, aggressive efficacy targets led to the phasing out of average T12, 100 watt, and 60 watt incandescent bulbs, soon to be followed by 40 watt incandescent bulbs. This fueled the LED market's rapid growth in both control technologies and efficacy, or lumens per watt.

You can now buy a wide variety of LED lamps and luminaires for LED shop lighting. Consumers can find lamps for the home like candelabra lighting, PAR (flood lamps), and standard A19 Edison lamps. Manufacturers continue to use familiar form factors for fixtures we are accustomed to in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces. Lamps for reading, canned lights, etc., have maintained the same screw-in base and familiar shapes, with only a few exceptions. Prices have dramatically reduced alongside innovations.

The tubular LED (TLED) has become successful in the marketplace, with T8 and T5 TLEDs available—T8 being the most common. Not even five years ago, the payback period for retrofitting a T8 fixture to TLEDs was beyond 35 years. As of now, paybacks for businesses with normal operational hours are between two and five years, and the quality of TLEDs is excellent.

Things to Consider for LED Shop Lighting

If your existing fixtures are nearing the end of their life, if you're lighting a new space, or if you want to upgrade to LED, several considerations are necessary. How much light do you need? This will vary based on the tasks performed in the space. More lumens or foot candles are required in areas for precise work and less for general areas. What color of light (Kelvin temperature) do you prefer? For production areas, 5000 Kelvin is common. If you are filming in addition to woodworking, consider the advice of Christopher Landy, a woodworker and lighting designer: "I shoot everything at 4200, sometimes 4600-4800, offering a dynamic range of colors." However, for home shops, he uses warm lighting for its "romantic glow."

Retrofitting

If you're retrofitting existing fixtures, you have multiple options. You can opt for TLEDs, a retrofit kit, or entirely new LED fixtures. For TLEDs, an online search will yield many selections. To ensure the quality of any tubular lamp matches its specification sheet, check the Design Lights Consortium Qualified Products List (DLC QPL). Enter the model number and manufacturer to verify a specific product or to look up potential makes and models.

There are four types of TLEDs: "Plug and play" (UL type A), which runs on most existing T8 and some T12 ballasts; ballast-bypass/line voltage/direct wire linear LED (UL type B), which requires removing the ballast and wiring directly; LED driver retrofit kit (UL type C), while less common, is still an option; and hybrid/dual technology linear LED (UL type A&B), which can operate as "plug and play" or direct line voltage. For most people, "plug and play" is the simplest option, but if you are comfortable with electrical work or hiring a qualified electrician, all options are worth exploring. A one-to-one replacement is sufficient if you're satisfied with the current light level.

New LED Shop Lighting Installation

Further reading:
Philips LEDtube T8 MASTER (EM Mains) Ultra Output 15.5 ...

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If you're undertaking new construction or need additional lighting in an existing space, the first step is to determine the type of LED you want, get the specification sheet, and use a simple calculator to estimate the number of fixtures and running costs. Know the shop's square footage and calculate needs for each room if the shop is divided. For desired foot candles, IES recommends 20-50 foot candles for basic operations and 50-100 for finer tasks like sanding and finishing. I have an average of 45 foot candles in my shop, with task lighting at my workbench and a raking light for inspecting sanded and finished pieces.

Other tools can help determine your payback period, whether retrofitting or comparing fluorescent with LED for new installations.

***Savings per month = ((Existing System Wattage – LED System Wattage) * hours per month) / 1000 = kWh, kWh * Electricity Rate. Divide the cost by this number for a simple payback period.***

I use an app called Light Companion for determining foot candles. It can be calibrated and was only off by 2 foot candles from my professional unit.

No matter your choice, purchase two to four fixtures from a store with a liberal return policy. This allows you to test the color and amount of light, and ensure there are no shadows due to narrow beam angles. If shadows occur, choose fixtures or lamps with wider beam angles or lower wattages and install more of them. The calculator is a great starting point. Good luck and enjoy working in your shop.

Energy-efficient LED light bulbs are now the standard for basic lighting. The best ones mimic longer-lasting incandescents, while the worst can cause headaches and burn out too quickly. We've evaluated numerous LED bulbs over the years. Feit Electric's soft white, daylight, and bright white bulbs stand out for their aesthetics, reliability, and smooth dimming capabilities.

These bulbs turn redder and warmer as they dim, perfect for creating ambient mood lighting without relying on Wi-Fi.

Feit Electric's daylight bulb produces a cool, white light ideal for kitchens or offices. It surpasses competitors with better color accuracy and even dimmability.

Feit Electric's bulbs offer brilliant color quality at affordable prices, work with various dimmers, are widely available in stores, and come with a five-year warranty.

Feit Electric’s Enhance 60W Replacement A19 Dimmable LED Light Bulbs provide excellent light quality. High color accuracy makes objects appear natural. Both the soft white and daylight versions excel in all tests, offering the best dimming range without buzzing or flickering, typically costing around $3 per bulb with a five-year warranty.

If you miss the warm glow of dimmed incandescent bulbs, the Philips Ultra Definition 60W Replacement A19 Dimmable LED Light Bulb with Warm Glow Effect Soft White is the next best option. Carefully designed to mimic the analog ambience of a heated filament, they cast more red light as they dim. These bulbs cost approximately $3.50 each but offer nostalgic lighting without needing Wi-Fi or complicated apps.

Contact us to discuss your requirements for PHILIPS BN016C. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the best options for your needs.