You might think that installing lots of lighting in your parking lot is a frivolous expense, but it can have a big impact on your bottom line. When people are fearful of walking to their cars or worry about what lurks in the shadows, they are less likely to visit your business. You want them to feel safe and comfortable so they keep coming back again and again. In addition to making sure you have well-lit walkways leading to and from the parking lot for safety reasons, you’ll also want to install best parking lot lights above each parking space so potential customers will know whether it’s available or not. Installing these lights isn’t as expensive as you might think because there are many affordable options available on the market today.
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Know Your Audience Before You Install
It’s critical to get to know your audience before you start installing best parking lot lights. You need to understand where your customers are coming from, what time of day they are likely to visit, and how far away they are likely to park. This will help you determine how many lights you will need and what kind of lights you should use. This will also help you determine where you should place the lights. For example, if you know 80% of your business comes between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., you can install lights that will be bright enough to see at those hours but dim enough to not be noticeable during the day. This will help save energy and lower your costs.
Ensure Good Lighting at the Entrance
One of the most important things you need to do is ensure good lighting at the entrance to your parking lot. This will let people know you are serious about safety by making sure they can easily see any potential hazards. It will also let them know you care about their experience by making sure the path from their car to the store entrance is well-lit. You don’t want bright lights shining into customers’ eyes as they come to your store, so make sure you install lights on the outer edge of the parking lot that is pointed down, not up. This will help illuminate the walkway and give people the light they need without being annoying.
Use lights with a wide beam angle
A wide beam angle will illuminate a larger area than a narrow beam angle, so make sure the lights you buy have this feature. The last thing you want to do is install lights that are pointed in one direction that are so bright they blind anyone walking in another direction. You want the parking lot lights to be bright enough to illuminate the entire area but not so bright that they are causing a safety hazard. If you have lights with a wide beam angle, you can install them closer together, which means you can install fewer lights but get better coverage. This will save you money on installation costs.
Consider the color of the light
In addition to the beam angle, you should also consider the color of the light. Cool white lights are bright but not warm, so they can be harsh and make potential customers feel uncomfortable. You might want to install them during the day, but you might want warmer lights at night that create a more welcoming atmosphere. If you want customers to feel relaxed and welcome, you might want to install warm lights that are less bright and more friendly, particularly on the outer edge of the parking lot where people will be walking. This will give them the light they need to see the path but won’t be so bright that it feels harsh.
Use reflective materials to maximize light output
You might think installing extra bright lights is the best way to get maximum light output, but that isn’t always the case. You might want to consider installing reflective materials around the parking lot lights. This will help redirect light in other directions and increase light output, which means you can install fewer lights and get the same coverage. This will also help create a safer environment because the reflective materials will be helpful for people who are walking or driving at night. It’s a simple way to help protect people with minimal investment.
Use timer controls to automate the lighting
If you install lights with timer controls, you can set a schedule for when the lights are on and when they are off. If most of your business is during the day but you want the lights on at night, you can set the lights to be on at dusk and off at dawn. People feel less safe when they don’t know if the lights are supposed to be on or off. You don’t want to spend time every day turning lights on and off and adjusting them throughout the day. Setting the lights up to turn on and off on a schedule will help make your life easier while also making customers feel more comfortable.
Have a professional install the lights
It may sound obvious, but you should have a professional install your parking lot lights. Not only will this help ensure the lights are installed properly, but it will also help you avoid electrical hazards. You don’t want to risk your customers’ safety by installing the lights yourself, particularly if you don’t have experience with electrical wiring. You also don’t want to risk your own safety if you make a mistake. Installing parking lot lights is a great way to improve safety in your parking lot and increase your bottom line. But you need to know your audience and ensure good lighting at the entrance. You should also consider the color of the light, use reflective materials to maximize light output, and have a professional install the lights.
