By now everyone has heard of LED lighting, and Kermit the Frog isn't the only one complaining that "it's not easy being green." New technology, especially any kind of electronics, can be expensive and constantly changing, making it difficult to know when to take the plunge. So why are you using or considering LED for your facility?

The reason I ask this question is because of some of the choices in LED products I have seen facility managers and building engineers purchase. Keep in mind, I'm not judging. These folks have more problems on their plate than a kid who is trying to hide his unwanted peas and liver.

I know how irritated I get with the ongoing problems of homeownership so I feel for those who have the responsibilities of large buildings, campuses and plants. How could anyone possibly keep on top of the current technology in all of those areas while putting out fires?

Yet I do wonder about the buying-thought process. After seeing "fixtures" and lamps purchased without expert advice, online from no-name companies or assembled by a peddler in their garage, I have to wonder what actually goes into the decision-making when upgrading facility lighting?

Typically, there are only a few reasons for changing a current system and they are all justified.

• LED lighting lasts a long time. Most fixtures and lamps can be expected to last for many years without needing to be replaced.
• LED lighting offers additional profits by reducing energy costs. Coupled with any utility rebates offered for upgrading, a new system can often pay for itself in a few years while the cost of waiting can be in the thousands per month.
• LED lighting can keep facility managers and engineers more productive by freeing them up to do more important things than changing lamps and ballasts all the time. The money spent on expensive lifts and scaffolding can also be reduced or eliminated. (We've all heard the jokes about how many people it takes to change a light bulb. How about not needing any?)
• LED lighting feeds nicely into corporate green initiatives and LEED/LEEP implementation. It feels good to go green and conserve resources, as well as staying away from hazardous materials and disposal issues. This is especially true when it's part of a company's mission statement and core values.

Taking risks by buying cheap products online or from companies that will either be a hassle to claim warranty issues or not be around to honor a warranty seems to negate many of the reasons above. After all, isn't one of the main benefits of LED the longevity and lack of maintenance?

Who wants the drama of a fixture or lamp not performing as it should, sitting on hold with customer service overseas, or even worse, no recourse at all since the company is out of business? That would actually be an expensive situation, not a cost-saving one. I would doubt that many of us have had consistently great results by buying the "cheapest" product of anything out there, truth be told.

LED is certainly a good opportunity for increased profits and productivity when used correctly. So what considerations should come into play when changing a lighting system? Here are some questions to ask yourself and your team:

• What is the application, and where will the lighting be used? Due to fixture height, temperature and other considerations, is LED a good fit?
• Are you happy with your current light levels, or would you prefer brighter or even less light?
• What are the maintenance costs of your current lighting system? Would changing them once for up to 10 years and beyond make your productivity more efficient?
• What is your knowledge on all the products, manufacturers and capabilities currently on the market? It can be difficult for experts to keep on top of everything with the current rate of advancements. You wouldn't buy a computer that was the best thing a year ago, and the same holds true of LEDs.
• Do you have a supplier or partner you can trust to give you up to date knowledge and advice while having your best interest (not just their sales pitch) at heart? A trusted expert should help you through the process and want to make you look good, make life for you and your company easier, and more profitable for your department.

In conclusion, I hope that you will see the light when it comes to the great things that can come from an LED lighting system. When used properly and with reputable manufacturers, you just might not ever touch another fixture while profiting from energy savings and improved light. (That is, if you're at least as old as I am.)