Outdated and inefficient lighting wastes energy and money for San Angelo homeowners and business owners. Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut electricity bills and environmental impact. With new lighting technology and attractive rebates and incentives, now is the perfect time for a lighting upgrade.

Benefits of a Lighting Upgrade

Switching to LED and other high-efficiency lighting offers many benefits:

Lower Electricity Bills
LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting. Fluorescent tube lighting cuts energy use by 30-80% compared to incandescents. Upgrading all of a building’s bulbs can lead to substantial savings, often cutting lighting electricity use by 80% or more.

Rebates and Tax Incentives
To encourage energy-efficient upgrades, many electric utilities offer prescriptive rebates for swapping out old bulbs. State and federal tax incentives may also help offset upgrade costs. Consult with electricians in San Angelo to find all available rebates and credits.

Improved Light Quality
The best new LED and fluorescent lighting mimics natural sunlight, improving occupant comfort, productivity, and safety through better light quality. Avoid the “buzz” of old-style fluorescents with high-frequency electronic ballasts. Smart lighting controls like occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting further optimize lighting for comfort and efficiency.

Lower Maintenance Costs
LEDs can last up to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs. With a lifespan up to 15 years with typical use, LED lighting practically eliminates bulb replacement costs. Fluorescent tubes last 10-20 years. Superior lifespan and durability reduce overall costs.

Environmental Benefits
Efficient lighting reduces dependence on fossil-fueled power plants, cutting the carbon emissions associated with electricity generation. Upgrade projects help San Angelo do its part to meet environmental goals.

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Where Lighting Upgrades Make Sense

Some San Angelo buildings are better candidates for upgrades than others. In general, facilities with older, outdated systems have the most potential for savings from an upgrade. Buildings using incandescent and older fluorescent lighting typically see the highest return on investment.

Commercial Facilities
Offices, retail stores, warehouses, and other facilities with long lighting operating hours are often excellent candidates for upgrade projects. An expert lighting audit can identify the best measures to slash energy waste. Some options include:

LED Retrofits for Fluorescent Troffers
T8 and T12 fluorescent troffers and panels are common past their prime. A tubular LED retrofit kit can convert old fluorescents to higher efficiency LEDs using existing ballasts and fixtures. Or for maximum energy savings, replace the entire fluorescent fixture with new LED fixtures and lamps.

LED High/Low Bay Fixtures
Old high bay HID and fluorescent fixtures can be replaced with LED high bay and low bay lighting. Advanced optics and controls save energy while improving visibility and quality.

LED Retrofits for Linear Fluorescents
Upgrade old T12 fluorescents with LED tube lamps designed to work with existing T12 ballasts. Or replace both lamp and ballast with dedicated LED linear lamps for maximum efficiency and quality.

Multilevel Lighting and Controls
Install multilevel lighting combined with advanced controls like occupancy/vacancy sensors, photocells, timers, and daylight harvesting technology. Light only occupied areas to the exact level needed.

Parking Lot and Roadway Lighting
New LED fixtures tailored for parking lots, roadways, pedestrian areas, and perimeter lighting slash lighting energy use while providing better visibility and security.

Home Upgrades
Swapping all bulbs for efficient LEDs can save the typical household 50-75% on lighting. DIY bulb replacement works for some homes, while hardwired fixtures and lighting design changes may require an electrician’s services. Ideal upgrades include:

LED Screw-In Bulbs
Replace all screw-in bulbs with ENERGY STAR-rated LEDs. Prioritize the most used fixtures first. Qualified bulbs last 15+ years for each replacement.

Under Cabinet, Track, and Accent Lighting
Accent, track, and under cabinet fixtures often get used for extended periods. LED retrofits and new fixtures are ideal upgrades. Properly aimed directional lighting also reduces energy waste.

Outdoor LEDs
Swap all outdoor lighting for LED fixtures with advanced optics and water/airtight designs. Motion controlled LEDs light only when needed for maximum savings.

Smart Lighting Controls
Programmable timers, motion sensors, and daylight controls bring added energy savings. Connect systems to home automation networks for total lighting control.

Overcoming Barriers to Upgrades

Some property owners hesitate to upgrade old lighting due to barriers like upfront costs and installation challenges. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome these obstacles:

Utility Rebates and Tax Incentives
Check with electric utilities and tax agencies to identify all available rebates, credits, and deductions to offset project costs. This can make payback periods very short – sometimes under 3 years. Local electricians in San Angelo stay up to date on all current incentives.

Phased Upgrades
For budget-constrained clients, take a phased approach by tackling worst offenders first. Upgrade lighting in the most utilized or inefficiently lit spaces before expanding projects sequentially.

Lighting Service Agreements
Some contractors offer no upfront cost lighting service agreements. Owners repay the upgrades over time through the money saved on monthly energy bills. Installation costs get bundled into the service charge.

Lease Agreements
Leasing companies will cover upgrade expenses in exchange for multi-year lighting equipment lease payments. This spreads out costs over time as the upgrades pay for themselves via energy savings. Cash-flow positive upgrades are possible from day one.

Finding Professional Help for an Upgrade

Trying to self-install a large-scale lighting upgrade often wastes money through product mismatches and incorrect installation. Hiring a qualified electrician ensures proper fixture specification, placement, controls integration, permitting, and utility rebate capture while avoiding safety issues from do-it-yourself electrical work.

When selecting professional help, validate that prospective contractors carry all required state and local licensing. Ask for 3-5 past project referrals, calling former clients to understand quality of work. Review ratings and read reviews on Google, Facebook, and other online rating sites. Obtain a detailed scope of work plus a binding total fixed project price upfront to avoid cost escalations mid-project.

For the smoothest upgrade experience, search for “electricians in San Angelo” to find properly licensed local experts with deep knowledge of regional building stock, applicable codes/standards, local permitting, and utility rebates. Local pros make it faster and easier to realize the lighting upgrade benefits outlined above compared to alternatives.

The Final Case for Upgrading Lighting Now

Outdated, inefficient lighting harms budgets and the environment. Yet facilities often delay lighting upgrades due to limited capital budgets and misconceptions about payback periods. When accounting for generous rebates and today’s low equipment prices, most projects pay for themselves in 2-3 years or less through enhanced property value, productivity gains, lower maintenance costs, and especially through slashed monthly electricity bills. Combined with the positive environmental impact, available incentives make lighting upgrades a clear value-add investment.

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As energy costs continue rising over time, upgrade incentives won’t last forever, and delayed projects forfeit savings that could start immediately. By contacting local electricians in San Angelo now to map out an upgrade, businesses and households can maximize savings for many years into the future while improving occupant safety, comfort and productivity. The time for better, more sustainable lighting is now – what’s keeping you from participating in progress?