Three Benefits of LED Vapor Tight Lighting
Commonly referred to as “wet location” fixtures, vapor tight light fixtures are sealed and gasketed luminaires that provide general illumination for indoor and outdoor environments where exposure to water, humidity, and dust is likely to occur. These luminaires are usually mounted on ceilings, soffits, walls, or in any other commercial and industrial building or facility where exposure to water or dust (or other elements) is a concern.
Below we present the three most common benefits of LED vapor tight lighting, including energy savings, maintenance cost reduction, and improved lighting performance.
Energy Savings
The wattage of a 4 foot LED vapor tight fixture typically ranges from 12 watts to 55 watts, resulting in a 40%-60% percent reduction in energy consumption over fluorescent vapor tight lighting. The LED fixture wattage range is so dramatic due to the need to adapt to the many different applications of vapor tight lighting. Since it is common for fluorescent wet location fixtures to utilize between one and four lamps per fixture, by using LED vapor tight lights in these applications, it is possible to save over $5,000 per year for a building or facility with 100 fluorescent vapor tight fixtures.
Maintenance Cost Reduction
The way LEDs generate light and progress through their functional life results in a much longer operating life compared to conventional fluorescent light fixtures. Another advantage realized from LED vapor tight lights is that they are not negatively affected by cycling (turning on and off), so they are more reliable in scenarios where lighting may be turned on and off frequently. Additionally, light emitting diodes function extremely well in cold environments and would not be subject to the negative effects on product lifetime experienced by fluorescent lamps in similar applications.
Lighting Performance
As a result of the multi-point design, LED vapor tight fixtures often provide a very evenly distributed light pattern. The result, in regards to LED vs fluorescent, is a more even foot candle distribution from the LED conversion. In addition to the even distribution of light, LEDs are available in a range of color temperatures (correlated color temperatures) and as a result provide a range of options to increase the visual perception of “brightness." This aspect is crucial in manufacturer or food processing facilities where employees need high performance task lighting, and for outdoor retail applications where tenants and companies want to ensure that their products and branding are clearly visible.
