We're more than halfway through the year, making this the perfect time to evaluate one of the largest ongoing expenses in many commercial facilities: energy consumption.
For over 40 years, Geller Lighting Supply has worked with contractors, facility managers, business owners, property managers, and maintenance teams to improve lighting performance while reducing operating costs. One thing we've learned is that many businesses miss opportunities for significant savings simply because they haven't revisited their lighting systems in years.
A mid year energy savings review can help identify inefficiencies, prioritize upgrades, and position your facility for lower costs during the second half of the year.
Identifying Outdated Technologies
Many facilities still rely on older fluorescent, metal halide, high pressure sodium, or incandescent lighting systems. While these technologies were once industry standards, they are often far less efficient than today's LED alternatives.
LED fixtures typically consume significantly less energy while delivering comparable or improved light output. In many applications, facilities can reduce lighting energy consumption by 50% or more after upgrading from older technologies.
Beyond energy savings, aging fluorescent systems can experience issues such as flickering, slow startup times, inconsistent light levels, and increasing maintenance requirements. Older HID fixtures often suffer from lumen depreciation, meaning the light output gradually decreases long before the fixture actually fails.
A walkthrough of your facility can reveal areas where outdated fixtures continue to operate simply because they have not yet reached complete failure. Replacing these fixtures proactively often provides a stronger return on investment than waiting until they stop working altogether.
Evaluate Lighting Quality, Not Just Energy Usage
Energy efficiency is important, but lighting quality matters just as much.
Poor lighting can affect employee productivity, customer experience, warehouse accuracy, and overall safety. During a mid year review, consider whether current light levels still meet the needs of the space.
Questions worth asking include:
- Are there areas that appear noticeably dimmer than they did a few years ago?
- Have facility layouts changed since the lighting was originally installed?
- Are employees relying on supplemental task lighting?
- Have customer-facing spaces become less inviting due to aging fixtures?
Modern LED technology offers improved color rendering, more consistent light distribution, and better visibility across a wide range of applications. Upgrading lighting is often one of the fastest ways to improve both efficiency and the overall appearance of a facility.
Review Your Lighting Controls
Many businesses focus entirely on fixtures while overlooking one of the biggest opportunities for additional savings: lighting controls.
Occupancy sensors can automatically turn lights off in unoccupied spaces such as offices, storage rooms, restrooms, and conference rooms. Daylight harvesting systems adjust light output based on available natural light. Timers and scheduling controls ensure lights operate only when needed.
According to various industry studies, combining LED upgrades with lighting controls can generate even greater energy reductions than fixture replacements alone.
If your building received an LED upgrade several years ago, it may still benefit from newer control technologies that were not widely adopted at the time of installation.
Consider Maintenance Costs and Downtime
The purchase price of a fixture tells only part of the story.
Maintenance expenses, replacement labor, equipment rentals, and operational disruptions all contribute to the true cost of a lighting system. This is particularly important in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and high-ceiling applications where fixture access can be challenging.
Modern LED fixtures are designed for long operating life, often providing tens of thousands of hours of service before requiring replacement. Fewer failures mean fewer maintenance calls, less downtime, and greater predictability for facility budgets.
A mid year review provides an opportunity to identify fixtures nearing the end of their useful life before they become recurring maintenance headaches.
Prepare for Future Projects and Budget Planning
One of the biggest advantages of conducting an energy review mid year is the ability to plan ahead.
Rather than waiting for year-end budget discussions or emergency fixture failures, facility managers can begin identifying future projects now. This allows time to compare options, develop budgets, evaluate rebates, and schedule upgrades strategically.
Many organizations find it easier to phase larger lighting projects over multiple quarters rather than attempting a complete replacement all at once.
By identifying opportunities early, businesses can make informed decisions that align with operational goals and financial objectives.
Why Experience Matters
Lighting technology continues to evolve, but the fundamentals remain the same: the right lighting solution should improve performance, reduce operating costs, and provide long-term value.
For more than 40 years, Geller Lighting Supply has helped customers navigate changing technologies, evaluate products, and select lighting solutions that fit their specific applications. Whether you're managing a warehouse, office, retail space, educational facility, or industrial property, a mid year energy savings review can uncover opportunities that make a measurable difference.
The second half of the year is already underway. Now is an excellent time to determine whether your lighting system is helping your facility operate as efficiently as possible.