Companies looking to improve consumer brand perception and attract investors need to have a working ESG strategy. It shows the company is invested in the environment and are looking for ways to reduce its impact and boost sustainability. The first step is often retrofitting outdated lighting with energy-efficient LED products. There are several good reasons companies are starting their ESG strategies with an LED lighting retrofit. It’s environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Companies can often take advantage of rebates associated with LED lighting while also reducing their carbon footprint. LED products are recyclable, unlike most other types of lighting. Businesses also see a reduction in lighting maintenance costs, along with energy usage. Benefit of LED Fixtures LED technology uses up to 75 percent less electricity than incandescent and fluorescent options, resulting in substantial energy savings, especially in areas utilized for extended periods. Mid-sized manufacturers can expect to reduce energy costs by 302,359 kWh annually which equals a 413,250lbs reduction in CO2 emissions. LED lighting solutions are engineered for high quality and longevity thereby approaching or exceeding 200,000 hours L70 lifetimes, substantially reducing lighting maintenance needs for decades, in most applications. LED lighting products are composed of non-toxic, recyclable components, effectively eliminating the old disposal programs associated with legacy technologies like CFLs, metal halide, and fluorescents that have mercury. In addition to the growing number of LED recycling programs, the lighting industry is making further improvements to the end-of-life cycle of LED light bulbs. Most LED installations realize a beneficial return on investment (ROI) with paybacks of three years or less. Utilities and state programs offer rebates and incentives to encourage LED lighting use. In addition, Lighting as a Service (LaaS), a model used to implement energy-efficient lighting projects without upfront capital, has gained traction. This scenario allows the end-user to install new LED lighting and maintain it with only a monthly service agreement as payment over the program’s life. The energy and operational savings, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and available alternative funding make LED retrofits a logical component of an effective ESG strategy.
