LED High Bays are Not Created Equal, here’s why you need the best
A high bay is a high bay, right?
Well, not really. If you’re lighting a fulfillment center or a warehouse or another high use facility there is a high likelihood your high bay fixtures will be running in excess of 12 hours per day, if not 24/7. Whether the facility is climate controlled or not, high bay fixtures will have to operate in high ambient temperatures continuously.
At the same time, these spaces cannot afford a diminution of light levels as the workers in these spaces are often operating heavy machinery and moving rapidly from station to station.
That’s why it’s important to differentiate between LED high bay fixtures. Flex explains here:
The CH1 series is the cost-effective high-performance LED highbay which has been the hallmark of Flex lighting solutions. The current CH1 boasts:
Lumen range: 6000 - 35000 lumens
Up to 160 lumens per watt
201,000 Hours to L70 (that's nearly 23 years of continuous service!)
Vertical fin-style heat sinks provide superior cooling and air-flow.
The CH1 boasts a simple, effective design ready to take on the vast majority of industrial applications. But Flex is always working to improve on their designs and so coming very soon is the CH2 series.
For even higher performance Flex offers the Essentials Series. This is the flagship high bay of the Flex line offering incredible efficacy (nearly 170 lumens/watt) at lumen packages ranging from 8200 lumens up to 59,000 lumens. But here’s the thing, and I can’t stress this enough, these data points are taken at 65 degrees celsius that’s 149 degrees Fahrenheit. At 65C you would expect performance to fall off after 5 years of service. But operating 24/7 for 10 years the Essentials series will deliver better than 85% of its initial light output. That’s without anyone ever getting on a lift or a ladder to replace a lamp or a ballast - ever.
Flex is so confident in this performance that they are willing to add a premium 10-year warranty to their products that will include lumen maintenance, driver replacement, and labor reimbursement.
I realize this is probably the most salesy post I’ve written on Delivered Lumens, but here’s the thing. Flex is truly committed to making a best-in-category product at whatever budget level your project requires.
Here’s Why You Need Controls
When transitioning from metal halide or fluorescent high bays to a Flex high bay you’re already going to realize tremendous energy savings. (If you’re curious you can use Flex’s rebate search tool). But the next level of savings and energy management includes lighting controls. You might be thinking, “my facility is 24/7 I don’t need controls.” I get that. But modern fixture-level controls can adapt to the uses of the facility. For instance, if you’re lighting a warehouse and there are bays of vertical storage that aren’t touched for hours at a time, they don’t need to be lit to their occupied level all day long. Doing so wastes electricity, money and adds to the burn hours of the fixtures.
Similarly, if sections of the facility are exposed to daylight, those fixtures need not be burning at max brightness, they only need to supplement the natural light coming in.
Enter Avi-On Controls
Avi-On offers built-in wireless (via bluetooth) controls of every high bay in your facility. If you’re upgrading existing lighting, this is the no-brainer solution for lighting controls. No additional 0-10v wires to run, no controllers or other gear to buy. Simple future-proof controls for immediate implementation. Avi-On is an integrated partner of Flex Lighting Solutions, making the integration absolutely simple and easy to implement.
Not Just High Bays
Flex isn’t just about high bay lighting. Facilities also need hose-down, low bay, linear, and troffer solutions. Flex has you covered.
Hosedown Series 2.0
Water and vapor tight. Up to IP67 rated. NSF Splash Zone 2
TR1 Series
When you need to replace the 1x4, 2x2 or 2x4 troffers in your facility. Simple soft lighting with high efficacy.
HT1 - High Output Troffer
For when you need highbay performance in a recessed ceiling application.
Linear Series 2.0
Sometimes low-bay lighting is required. Available for new construction or as a retrofit kit, this is a low-glare, high efficacy solution for work benches and other low-bay needs.
Ready For More Information?
Use the form below to book a virtual demonstration, where we can discuss your needs and figure out the right product for you - or you can always email me.
