What to Consider for an LED Parking Lot Lighting Upgrade

Several key factors must be considered when upgrading parking lot lighting to LED fixtures. Begin by ensuring the LED fixtures provide adequate brightness, measured in lumens, to meet the specific lighting requirements. Achieve uniform light distribution to avoid dark spots and select the appropriate color temperature, typically ranging from natural 4000K to cool 5000K.

Additionally, choose fixtures with proper shielding and optics to minimize glare. Ensure the selected fixtures optimize light distribution towards the center of the parking lot to minimize light pollution beyond the parking lot. 

For energy efficiency, compare the wattage of new LED fixtures with existing fixtures while considering options with smart controls to reduce energy consumption when lighting is unnecessary.

In outdoor environments like parking lots, light fixtures are exposed to various weather conditions, including rain, snow, frost, dust, and debris. An appropriate IP rating ensures that the fixtures can withstand these elements, maintaining their functionality and longevity. Integrated LED downlights have higher weatherproof ratings because internal elements are never exposed since no bulb changes are required.

Compliance with local zoning and lighting regulations, including Dark Sky compliance, is essential for ensuring that parking lot lighting meets legal requirements, minimizes light pollution, and enhances safety and security. Adhering to these regulations helps to reduce glare, avoid excessive brightness, and prevent light from trespassing into neighboring properties, contributing to a more sustainable and community-friendly environment.

During installation, consider whether the new fixtures can be easily retrofitted and assess maintenance requirements, especially for larger parking lots. Evaluate the initial cost against long-term savings, explore available incentives, and ensure the design enhances safety, security, and aesthetics. Lastly, consider the system's scalability and integration with emerging technologies to future-proof your investment.

Selecting LED lighting for parking lots involves balancing safety, energy efficiency, and design. Typically the primary concern for parking lots is safety and security. Focus on choosing fixtures that properly light the parking lot uniformly while considering factors like wattage, footcandles, lumen output, light distribution patterns, color temperatures, and more to match the space's specific needs. Opt for durable, weather-resistant fixtures with smart controls to maximize energy savings and ensure long-term performance.

Additionally, prioritize LED lights with high efficacy, a long lifespan, and low maintenance requirements to reduce operational costs. Ensure compliance with local regulations and select designs that enhance the parking lot's overall appearance, contributing to both functionality and aesthetics. Consider whether new LED fixtures can be used with the existing mounting hardware or if new mounting is required.

Knowing the comparable wattages of HID fixtures and LED lights is important. As a general rule of thumb, convert HID wattage to LED wattage by dividing the HID wattage in half. If you matched an HID fixture with an LED fixture of the same wattage, the light emitted would be way too much and too bright for the space. LEDs emit brighter light with lower wattages. 

The IP (Ingress Protection) indicates the fixture's resistance to dust, moisture, and other environmental factors. A higher IP rating ensures that the lighting fixtures are well-protected against harsh outdoor conditions such as rain, snow, wind, and dust, which are common in parking lots.

This protection is crucial for the longevity and reliability of the lighting system. Fixtures with an appropriate IP rating are less likely to fail due to water ingress or dust accumulation, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring consistent, reliable illumination for the safety and security of the parking lot.

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) of a fixture is important for parking lot lighting because it measures a light source's ability to accurately reveal objects' colors. A higher CRI ensures that colors appear more natural and distinguishable, which is essential for identifying vehicles, people, and other objects in a parking lot. It also creates a more welcoming and visually attractive environment. Parking spaces should have a CRI of around 70. 80+ CRI is a good choice for car dealerships that make cars look more appealing.

The Knuckle Slipfitter Mount fits over the top of a pole and allows for adjustable angling of the light fixture through a joint mechanism. This adjustability makes it ideal for targeted lighting or minimizing glare. However, it's important to ensure the knuckle mechanism is durable so it can maintain its position over time.

The Arm Mount attaches directly to the side of a pole using a bracket or arm, providing stable, fixed positioning at various heights. This mount is versatile, suitable for different pole types, and offers broad light distribution. Ensuring the pole's and mount's compatibility and strength is crucial for effective light coverage.

The Post-Top Mount is used for decorative or architectural lighting. It is installed at the top of the pole for a sleek look. It provides uniform light distribution, ideal for areas where aesthetics are important. Considering the fixture's design and ensuring the pole can support it, especially in windy conditions, is essential.

The Trunnion Mount uses a bracket for horizontal pivoting, which is suitable for floodlights or heavy fixtures needing directional adjustments. It’s ideal for focused lighting but requires secure fastening to a sturdy surface to handle the fixture’s weight, particularly in high-wind environments.

The Yoke Mount features a U-shaped bracket allowing both horizontal and vertical adjustments, making it versatile for mounting on walls, poles, or ceilings. This flexibility is great for directing light but requires a robust surface and secure tightening to prevent movement over time.

Understanding these mounting options is key to selecting the right type for optimal light distribution, stability, and aesthetics in parking lot lighting.

Photocells, or light sensors, are crucial for LED parking lot lights because they automatically control the lights based on ambient light levels, turning them on at dusk and off at dawn. This automation enhances energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary electricity usage during daylight hours, leading to lower utility costs. 

Beyond energy savings and safety, photocells also contribute to the longevity of LED fixtures by minimizing their operating hours, which reduces wear and tear. Moreover, they can also help ensure compliance with local lighting regulations, making them a practical and essential component for maintaining an effective and efficient parking lot lighting system.

The Effective Projected Area (EPA) wind rating of a light fixture indicates the wind velocity a arm-mounted fixture can withstand. With numerous people moving through a parking lot, ensuring the EPA wind rating meets safety standards is crucial. The fixture must be robust enough to withstand windy conditions.

Turn-key LED lighting projects are increasingly popular as cities and businesses recognize their substantial benefits. These advantages include significant energy and maintenance savings, enhanced visibility and security, attractive tax or rebate incentives, and positive environmental impact. 

In 2018, CCA Global Partners embraced the LED revolution by initiating a comprehensive parking lot lighting project at their Earth City, MO offices.

CCA Global Partners manages accounting, legal, and rebate operations at this location. It also hosts ProSource Wholesale—one of their 14 co-ops. This exclusive showroom provides trade professionals and their clients access to a vast array of wholesale floor coverings. CCA Global Partners operates 14 diverse brands, ranging from flooring to biking and nonprofit sectors, supporting thousands of entrepreneurs with essential resources for business growth.

Problem: Poor Visibility with Parking Lot Lights

CCA Global Partners was experiencing poor parking lot visibility. The shared services cooperative had been lighting its 230,550-square-foot outdoor space with metal-halide (MH) fixtures. The light from these fixtures appeared dim and yellow. In an effort to improve visibility and reduce energy consumption, they decided to swap their inefficient MH lights with new LED fixtures from superbrightleds.com.

Remedy: LED Parking Lot Lighting Fixtures

Super Bright LEDs worked with CCA Global Partners on a turnkey project that provided them with 32 new outdoor LED lights to replace what they had. Six 400-watt MH wall packs were replaced with six of SBL’s 80-watt LED wall packs, and 19 400-watt MH parking lot lights were replaced with 12 150-watt and seven 200-watt LED parking lot lights. CCA also purchased four can lights for their rear awning and an additional three parking lot lights; all added lights were installed as part of the project. The LED parking lot lights required wall-mount brackets and fixed arm kits, which were part of CCA’s purchase.

Turn-key cost of the entire project (products, labor, disposal, and project management) was $14,533. A one-time utility rebate brought net cost down to $12,680. With money-saving incentives, a 5-year payback, and a projected savings of nearly $11,000 by the 10-year mark, the project proved to be well worth the upfront cost. Not to mention CCA was also able to purchase the additional parking lot lights and can lights while still receiving a hefty return on their investment. There was also a drastic difference in appearance and visibility as well as a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. All of the LED products used for this project emit cool or natural white light. This created a crisp, well-lit parking lot without being overly bright.

The new LED lights dramatically improved appearance and visibility and significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions. All the LED products emit cool or natural white light, creating a crisp, well-lit parking lot without excessive brightness.

If you’re thinking of adding LED lights to your business and would like help, Super Bright LEDs’ dedicated commercial account representatives can assist with every step of your project. Don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT Monday-Friday.