No matter the size of your business, you need proper lighting to foster a welcoming and productive environment, and that means maintaining your lights even after they’ve been installed.
Light maintenance is crucial for any kind of commercial building. Proper indoor lighting maintenance will not only keep your lights on and operating, but also lower costs and boost productivity within your office. A good maintenance team will customize their services to fit the needs of your business and set up a light maintenance plan that works for you.
So, before creating your light maintenance plan, here’s what you need to remember:
Specific maintenance needs
Each lighting system requires its own maintenance program. Before getting your lights installed, make sure you have a good understanding of the specifics involved with the upkeep. While maintenance plans will vary depending on business size and type, most programs are constructed around cleaning and replacing your lights. Regularly cleaning your lights will ensure you’re getting consistent quality and will extend their longevity. Many maintenance teams will suggest re-lamping burned out bulbs in groups at a time. That means instead of waiting for a light to burn out and having to call a maintenance worker each time, the maintenance team will replace all the lights in a building within 70-80 percent of their life expectancy. This prevents the inconvenience of a burned out bulb and ends up being less expensive than paying for each individual light to be replaced.
While cleaning and re-lamping are the two main parts of a light maintenance system, your team should regularly review the power quality of your lights and make adjustments as needed. A few small changes to your office space can change the effect of your lights, so it’s important to keep your maintenance team informed about any new carpeting, window installations, or major furniture rearrangement.
Outdoor Lighting
Proper outdoor lighting is crucial for any successful business. In order to attract clients and customers, you want your establishment to be well-lit and easy to find. That goes for parking lots as well! Your janitorial staff should check to make sure all outdoor lights are operating properly and that your parking lot is well-lit and safe for your patrons and employees.
Some businesses take a more creative approach to their outdoor lighting. Many restaurants set up string lights or even fire pits in order to add ambience to their patio seating. You can reduce light pollution by choosing to use “full cut-off” or “fully shielded” lighting fixtures that don’t allow light to show above a 90-degree angle. Whatever type of outdoor lighting you choose, include it in your light maintenance plan so that your maintenance staff can ensure your lights stay in good condition.
Conserve energy – and money
More and more businesses are making the switch to energy-efficient lighting, not only to help the environment, but also because it can end up saving money. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) uses the Green Building Rating System, a voluntary national standard for high-performance sustainable buildings, to encourage business owners to switch to more conservative lighting options. Buildings that comply with this system are focused on supplying the power grid, harvesting daylight, and monitoring occupancy and light efficiently.
The type of business you have is the key factor in choosing a lighting system. Retail stores tend to want more dramatic lighting in order to draw attention to mannequins, sale areas, and counter displays. Many retail stores are switching from standard incandescent lights to metal halide lamps. These lamps are three times more efficient than incandescent lighting, and they use a much smaller portion of the building’s heat. This allows air conditioning units to work more efficiently, ultimately saving money.
If you decide to convert to lighting that’s a little more eco-friendly, Calico can provide retrofit services for both regular lights and LED ballast lamps to make the transition as quick and seamless as possible.
This article was brought to you by Calico Building Services. At Calico, we offer premier building services that include light maintenance for commercial facilities. We are committed to keeping your commercial building operating at its highest level so your company can thrive. Whether you’ve just installed new lights, need retrofit services, or are looking to create a new maintenance plan, Calico is prepared to meet all your light maintenance needs. Our core services are janitorial services, repairs and maintenance, and construction services. Learn more about our comprehensive portfolio of building services here. Let Calico handle your commercial facility’s light maintenance program on a schedule that fits your company’s needs and budget. Request a proposal from Calico today!
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About Calico Building Services
Calico Building Services, Inc. is a privately held company founded in 1986 by husband and wife, Ron and Kathy Strand. By developing a reputation for quality workmanship and superior customer service, the company has grown organically to become a leading provider of building, facility and property services in the Western and Central U.S. with reach and capabilities nationwide. Today, the company employs hundreds of team members and works with hundreds of strategic partners throughout the U.S.
Our core service areas delivered through the company’s three divisions include janitorial, repairs and maintenance as well as construction. With our relentless customer-centric commitment to quality and service, we serve: national retailers, banks, building owners, universities, medical facilities, government municipalities and facilities managers. Our numerous customers range from regional success stories to Fortune 500 companies.
We are proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and unique portfolio of services in the industry. From day one, personalization and offering mission-critical solutions to our valued customers has been our top priority. Depending on our customers’ needs and requirements, we can deliver our services as a self-performing company or we can deploy a network of Calico certified vendors, we only hire the best and most qualified service personnel and technicians. Each of our divisions are managed and staffed by highly trained and experienced professionals in their respective fields.
There are many reasons why so many companies nationwide rely on Calico Building Services, Inc. for all their building, facility, and property services. At the core, and the key differentiator, are our people and their constant commitment to excellence and unparalleled service.
