Manufacturers of food and beverages are distinctive establishments with high energy and performance requirements. In reality, the industry responsible for producing and processing food accounts for 15% of all energy used in the United States. Of course, the sheer scale of these plants results in increased energy usage, but there are also other factors to consider.
One is that the majority of these food processing facilities are open around-the-clock. Additionally, these food processing facilities often include cold storage facilities, which not only run continuously day and night but also use a lot of energy to maintain food safety. Additionally, maintaining uninterrupted processing lines for your factory's production requires employing more energy and heavy gear.
It's obvious that this business will use a lot of electricity, but LED lighting is a simple way to save energy. You'll start saving straight away, and there are additional advantages of LEDs that are unique to the preparation of food and beverages, such as improved lighting performance and cleaner working conditions. Learn more about all the benefits of using LED lighting in your cold storage facility and food processing plant below.
Reduce your energy use and carbon footprint.
Although we've previously touched on it, switching to LED technology is probably the main motivation for companies who manufacture foods and beverages. Compared to conventional lighting, you might save up to 90% of energy.
A reduced carbon footprint and improved environmental impact result from increased energy efficiency. Overall, this is undoubtedly better, but have you thought about how a lower carbon footprint can affect marketing? In a worldwide Nielsen research, 81% of respondents strongly agree that businesses should do more to protect the environment. You may be surprised to learn that interest in sustainability across decades and genders. Tracking your corporate social responsibility activities and being open about the results can distinguish your business.
Meet the requirements for certification and safety
We offer industrial LED lighting that has been approved to fulfill the specific specifications set out by the NSF and other certifying organizations for lighting to be designated food safe. A few of the standards that LED lights may adhere to are as follows:
The fixtures are IP69K rated, indicating that they can resist powerful water jets for cleaning.
NEMA enclosure ratings, indicating that dust and other particles won't have an impact on the fixtures.
Unlike conventional bulbs, which raise issues with storage, safety, and disposal, mercury-free bulbs
NSF/ANSI certifications to satisfy food safety (toxicology study) and splash zone (items evaluated on smoothness, resistance to corrosion, and capacity to be manually cleaned) criteria
Longer lifespan and less maintenance
Compared to conventional lighting, LED lighting solutions have substantially reduced maintenance expenses. First of all, since LED lighting simply lasts longer, you won't need to replace your fixtures as frequently. This will save you money by eliminating the need to hire a lift or bucket truck to reach those elevated lights, as well as your employees' time since you won't need to shut down operations to make room for fixture replacements. Additionally, LED lights are engineered to resist a wide range of dangerous situations, so there are less possibilities that they will fail and fewer replacements required. Additionally, they are made with fewer components, which provides the same advantages.
Boost personnel productivity
In the food processing sector, light levels are controlled. This table lists the number of foot candles required for various food-safe areas. Higher foot candles equate to brighter light, which allows staff to work more precisely since they can really see what they're doing. The higher color rendering index, or CRI, of LEDs is also well-known for measuring how exactly or near the object or surface being lighted is to its natural hue. Better CRI enables staff to accomplish duties more correctly and rapidly as well as detect possibly contaminated or moldy meals and packaging.
Safety
Sometimes, the painstaking work involved in the production of food necessitates the use of dangerous implements like knives and blades. In these situations, glare-free lighting and lighting with adequate visibility (see CRI and foot candles above) help to reduce accidents.
Additionally, LED lights are created without harmful substances like mercury, and they don't have glass-bulb construction, which may break and harm workers or contaminate food.
You won't get the characteristic yellow color from outdated high intensity discharge lights that inadequately illuminate the ground area when LEDs are utilized in parking lots and other outdoor locations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your workers who work night shifts are always safe while leaving for their automobiles.
LED lights have no bothersome warm-up or flickering periods and switch on quickly. This additional time is crucial if you have staff members who start their job in good lighting.
Traditional incandescent lighting loses up to 90% of its output as heat during warm-up. The perishable foods are safer at lower temperatures since LED lighting operates significantly cooler. Additionally, this improves energy economy since using your HVAC system less and squandering less light as heat result from less heat. Additionally, your refrigerators and freezers won't have to work as hard (more on cold storage and LED lighting below).
Store Cold Food
Unlike other lighting types that may malfunction in hot or cold locations, LED lighting is designed to perform effectively in these conditions. Additionally, as was already noted, LED lights don't produce as much heat, keeping your freezer and refrigerator cooler without having to raise the thermostat.
We also spoke about how LED lighting doesn't flicker and warms up quickly. You don't want an employee to stay in a cold storage room longer than necessary when they require anything since every minute might jeopardize the quality of the food. No need to wait for the lights to come on; just let them take what they need and go.
Controls, Sensors, and Developing Technology
In order to save money again, contemporary LED lighting may be fitted with occupancy sensors and controllers that only turn on the lights when necessary.
In addition, the market for LED lighting is expanding constantly. Research and product development are increasing in response to this need. New features are constantly being introduced to LED lights as they continue to advance. One such innovation that has an impact on the food business is the use of blue LEDs, which have been shown to be antibacterial. You should keep expecting these types of innovations after you start using LED lights.
