We have traditionally used a lot of bulb based lighting on the job site. While LEDs have started to make some headway over the past few years, only a handful of companies have applied LED technology to larger building area lights or even temporary lighting. These new lights cover anything from illuminating specific areas to illuminating large workplaces with up to 120,000 lumens or more. Often, these larger venue lights require a lot of electricity and even generators to run. It goes without saying that many factors come into play when considering LED vs halogen work lights.
The cost of using halogen or similar bulb technology is very high. First, you have to pay for fuel or electricity to power the lights. Second, you need to think about maintenance and bulb replacement. Over time, this cripples productivity and profitability.
It also slows you down because the halogen can't move or pack until it cools.
Using LED work lights on your job site can solve countless problems. LED lights are typically up to 90% more energy efficient than halogen bulbs. That means more light and less heat. It's great for your wallet and efficiency, but it also helps the environment.
Not all LED job site lights are created equal. Many jobs are suitable for internal jobs or smaller jobs that don't require a lot of output. However, when it comes to large-area construction site lighting, only a handful of companies offer solutions that can handle rain, snow, heat, and other extreme conditions.
Another consideration is sturdiness. An easy-to-install LED lighting solution might be a great addition to your arsenal. But if it breaks at the first bump or at the tip, that's not going to improve your productivity. LED work lights must be able to withstand drops and bumps, or have a design that is not easily knocked over.
In short, it has to be durable.
Temporary lighting is moving to LED
Being able to daisy-chain LED lights together is key when you want to light an entire work area. Portability can also save you money, so be sure to find a solution that can be moved from one job site to another. You want to be able to reconfigure your lighting without having to run multiple times with 100-foot extension cords until the power goes down.
We prefer lights with male "daisy chain" power outlets. This allows you to use standard extension cords to connect LED lighting and fill an entire job site. This does work for temporary lighting, but you'll also find this feature on some area lights.
Are LED work lights in the workplace as bright as halogen lights?
When switching to LED work lights, people often wonder if they are bright enough for the job site. The answer is a resounding "yes". In fact, companies like Lind Equipment produce LED lights that shine over 120,000 lumens and can run for up to 45 hours on as little as 6 gallons of fuel (with a suitable generator). As another example, the 14,300 lumens of the Beacon 360 Flame Pendant Light is equivalent to the usable light of a 400W metal halide, yet consumes only 100 watts of power.
Halogen and LED Bulbs
Many different factors come into play when considering halogen versus LED bulbs. For one thing, halogen bulbs generate more heat than LED bulbs. While LED bulbs don't convert 100% of the energy they provide into light, they do a better job than halogen or filament products. Take a look at a general comparison table of the two technologies:
| halogen bulb | led light bulb | |
|---|---|---|
| typical life time | < 3,000 | 30,000+ |
| heat loss | High (80%+) | Low (10-20%) |
| energy consumption | High | low |
| cost per fixture | Moderate | High |
| durability | low | High |
| Dimmable | Yes | perhaps |
| color temperature | 2700K | 2700-10,000K |
The quality of how?
Many companies make LED lights – so how do you choose? For large purchases, we recommend choosing a company that really understands lighting. Some companies, like Lind Equipment, have been manufacturing jobsite and work area lighting for decades. Chinese imitations and Johnny-come-lately imitations may be suitable as headlamps and flashlights. Stay away from these companies when making large purchases.
When you really want to switch to LEDs for your everyday jobsite lighting, established companies understand what tradespeople and business owners want. You need a company that has repairable products, a good warranty, and stands by its products.
Do LED work lights cost more?
Switching to LEDs can come with significant upfront costs. However, downstream savings in efficiency, reduced maintenance and power consumption can quickly make up the difference. Whether you're a developer or a general contractor, you can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in power and labor costs. For tradesmen, you can reduce labor time – especially the installation and removal of temporary lighting.
Have you decided yet?
Whether you think it's an easy decision or it requires a little extra math – eventually, LED lighting will be the norm. Those who got up early are laying the groundwork to save money now, while others maintain the status quo. Being competitive while reducing labor costs (not to mention electricity costs for your customers) is a great way to stand out from the crowd.