Modernize outdoor lighting in an energy-efficient way.

The new LED lights or LED modules should not have a color temperature above 2700 to a maximum of 3000 Kelvin (yellowish to warm white light). Most people find these color temperatures very pleasant. We also recommend 2200 K in residential areas in rural areas. Modern LEDs with this color temperature range have a good color rendering index (CRI) and are only slightly inferior in terms of energy efficiency compared to neutral white LEDs (4000 Kelvin). The higher the color temperature, the higher the safety risk due to glare and the higher the light pollution due to more intense light bells. A higher attraction due to the light bell also leads to higher insect mortality and poorer sleep for diurnal creatures, such as humans (see also link collection/ Federal Office for Radiation Protection and LAI).

Light should only shine where it is needed and not in all directions. Unnecessary light scattering in all directions, as with many retro-fit solutions, should be avoided. It makes sense to use lighting solutions with light-directing LED systems in any case, so that sky brightening, energy wastage and glare are avoided. According to §41a of the Act on the Protection of Insect Diversity in Germany, outdoor lighting must also be selected in such a way that insects and plants are protected from unnecessary light immissions. Existing installations must be retrofitted or converted in accordance with a statutory order pursuant to Section 54 (4d) No. 3.

The previous illuminance level should not be undercut by the use of LEDs. In order to assess the efficiency of the light source, the luminous efficacy (lumens per watt) should always be taken into account. The luminous flux, colloquially the brightness of a lamp, is measured in lumens and the power in watts indicates how much energy is required. To check or calculate your light source, see the following link: https://rechneronline.de/licht-raum/lumen-watt.php. The radiation behavior of the lighting solution should also be considered in this regard. Retrofit LEDs bathe the house wall and the sky in light and in most cases only emit part of the energy onto the street. Professional solutions use optical lenses to direct the light to where it is needed, resulting in little or no light pollution.

Very bright light sources in road traffic are also a risk factor and should be avoided. It is better to avoid strong light/dark contrasts because the eye always adapts to the bright points or areas and so the surrounding dark areas are much more difficult to see or no longer visible at all. Due to the spectral sensitivity of our visual cells, white light appears brighter and more intense to us at night (see also: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purkinje-Effekt). Every driver has experienced the bluish glare of car headlights coming towards them in traffic. With modern LED luminaires or LED conversion kits, attention should therefore always be paid to a moderately uniformly illuminated traffic area with a suitable light color. The quality characteristics for street lighting are defined in the European standard DIN EN 13201. A selection is then made according to parameters specifically tailored to the traffic areas, which include the composition of road users, the brightness of the surroundings and the maximum permitted speed. If these parameters are ignored, dark areas are created on the road and accidents can occur. If the responsible body breaches its duty to ensure road safety, the consequences can be unpleasant.

To ensure that the new LED light or LED installation kit lasts as long as possible, it is important to ensure that the LEDs have a heat sink that is appropriately matched to their output. Although the efficiency of LEDs is much higher than that of conventional light bulbs, LEDs convert 75-85% of the energy into heat. As the temperature rises, the color and brightness of the LED change. Effective, specific heat sinks are therefore essential for maintaining light and color performance over the long term. The heat pipes we use are particularly effective as they have a thermal conductivity that is 1000 times higher (see also Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wärmerohr).

State-of-the-art control, radio and sensor technology can now be used for lighting systems to save even more energy and thus significantly reduce electricity costs. Furthermore, special applications can report defective luminaires and automate and manage maintenance procedures. In the long term, this also leads to considerable savings potential when operating lighting systems in public spaces. If a particularly large amount of electricity is saved, the CO2 balance is also automatically improved significantly. Saving energy is a very effective way of protecting the climate.

When selecting a luminaire, attention should be paid to the quality and relevant criteria for the operation and maintenance of the luminaire (is the luminaire easy to open, can the LED module and cover glass be replaced quickly, etc.). It should be possible to replace individual parts of the luminaire in the event of a defect and it should also be possible to repair the luminaire to ensure long and therefore sustainable operation.

Attention should also be paid to the guarantee and how long spare parts or the product can be supplied in the event of a failure. These are also often stumbling blocks over the years after purchase if a product manufacturer does not provide a corresponding guarantee. Furthermore, the service and maintenance intervals should also be taken into account to ensure long and trouble-free operation of the system. For some Retro-Fit luminaires, the operating instructions refer to two cleanings per year, which involves considerable effort or may invalidate the guarantee if the cleaning intervals are not adhered to. When modernizing existing lighting systems, please check the federal and state funding programmes that may be available. In this context, please also refer to the “Municipal guidelines/technical annex: minimum content and technical requirements” regarding the requirements for the lighting system. You can also find a number of tips on the subject of funding in our link collection under “Further information”.

Energy-efficient modernization of hall lighting systems.

The end of fluorescent lamps is in sight. The year 2023 marks the phase-out of fluorescent lamps, which have been popular for lighting industrial halls and warehouses to date.

As a rule, a complete “old for new” replacement is the better alternative, because the light distribution of the system changes when individual components are replaced and this may result in the specified values for illuminance and glare limitation deviating. A photometric calculation is recommended here, but this does not work in practice without laboratory measurement results from luminaires with lamps. Samples should therefore be taken on site so that the illuminance can be measured on site. Luminance measurements are rare because they require special instruments. A measurement must then be checked on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the requirements of the Workplace Ordinance are met after retrofitting. The operator should therefore also ensure that the normative and photometric quality characteristics such as illuminance, energy efficiency, light color and color rendering are complied with.

Completely replacing the old lighting system with new LED luminaires can save up to 50% energy and, by using optimized reflectors and optics, also lead to better quality lighting. The best savings are achieved if the system is planned using special lighting calculation programs and then implemented accordingly.

The additional use of modern lighting management systems in conjunction with radio or sensor technology can, in the best case, save up to 80 % energy and therefore electricity costs compared to the old system. Dimmable ballasts are used and the system automatically regulates the output up and down depending on the setting and the presence of people. It is then only bright where the light is needed, because that is where work is being carried out, and not in the entire hall. Modern lighting management systems offer a wide range of control and optimization options for a lighting system and therefore also optimum energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the system.

Take care when converting on your own. Retrofitting a luminaire under your own responsibility is a modification of the original and can lead to the loss of VDE mark approval. The use of retro-fit lamps can invalidate the product liability and guarantee of the lighting system manufacturer. The only exception here would be a professional conversion by a specialist company using a replacement material approved by the manufacturer.

To ensure that the new LED light lasts as long as possible, it is important to ensure that the LEDs have a heat sink that is matched to the output. Although the efficiency of LEDs is much higher than that of conventional light bulbs, LEDs convert 75-85% of the energy into heat. As the temperature rises, the color and brightness of the LED change. Suitable, specific heat sinks are therefore essential for maintaining light and color performance over the long term. The heat pipes we use are particularly effective, as they have a thermal conductivity that is 1000 times higher (see also Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wärmerohr).

When selecting a luminaire, attention should be paid to the quality and the relevant criteria for the operation and maintenance of the luminaire. It should be possible to replace individual parts of the luminaire in the event of a defect and the luminaire should also be repairable to ensure long and therefore sustainable operation.

Attention should also be paid to the guarantee and how long the spare parts or the product can still be supplied in the event of a failure. These are also often stumbling blocks over the years after purchase if a product manufacturer does not provide a corresponding guarantee.

When modernizing existing lighting systems, the federal and state funding programmes that may be available should be checked. The KfW programs should also be considered in this context. You can also find a number of tips on the subject of subsidies in our link collection under “Further information”.

Quality features of our LED lights and LED modules: