LED strip lighting plays a crucial role in commercial projects. It not only enhances the overall aesthetics of the space, creating an inviting atmosphere, but also boosts brand visibility and guides foot traffic, contributing to commercial success. Compared to traditional lighting, LED strips consume less energy and have a longer lifespan, resulting in lower costs and maintenance expenses. Their brightness and color accuracy deliver higher customer satisfaction. When selecting LED strips, consider brightness, color temperature, length, and IP rating based on the space’s requirements.

Are you also struggling to choose the wrong light fixture?

The restaurant’s lighting design only considers the atmosphere and not the brightness, which makes it difficult for customers to enjoy their meals; stores use low color index lamps, which make customers see the difference between the product’s color and the actual color, which makes them less likely to buy; the office building installed recessed flat panel lights to keep things simple, but didn’t think about how the lamps and lanterns would cool down, so they often stopped working after a while of use.

I believe this article, “How to Choose the Right LED Strip Lights for Your Commercial Lighting Project” can help you .

Why LED Strip Selection Matters for Commercial Success

When it comes to commercial lighting, the choice of LED strip lights can significantly impact a project’s success. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, commercial lighting accounts for approximately 30% of total energy consumption in buildings. Our company, with a proven track record in over 500 retail stores, understands the importance of selecting the right LED strips. Making the wrong choice can lead to increased costs due to shortened lifespan or the need for costly rework, which can be detrimental to a business’s bottom line.

Led Strip Lights For Commercial
Electricity and natural gas consumption in U.S. commercial buildings by principal building activity,2018

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) includes detailed data on the types of lighting equipment and on electricity consumption for lighting in U.S. homes. According to the most recent RECS, in 2020, electricity consumption for lighting accounted for about 6% (81 billion kilowatthours [kWh]) of electricity consumption in U.S. homes.
EIA’s Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) includes data on the types of lighting used and on energy consumption for lighting by U.S. commercial buildings. According to the most recent CBECS, in 2018, electricity consumption for lighting accounted for about 17% (208 billion kWh) of electricity consumption by U.S. commercial buildings.
EIA’s Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS) includes data on electricity consumption for facility lighting in U.S. manufacturing facilities. According to most recent MECS, in 2018, electricity consumption for facility lighting accounted for about 6% (53 billion kWh) of total electricity use at U.S. manufacturing facilities.

The information comes from: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Follow these 4 steps so you can choose the right commercial lighting

Before diving into the technical specifications, it’s crucial to define your lighting objectives. Different commercial spaces have unique requirements. Below is a table outlining the typical needs for various applications:


Application Scenario

Recommended Brightness (Lm/m)

Required Certifications

Common Mistakes

Retail displays

800-1200

UL/CE

Ignoring CRI leading to color distortion of merchandise

Office ambient

300-500

DLC

High color temperature causing fatigue

Warehouse task

1000-1500

IP65

Insufficient voltage resulting in uneven brightness

Helian LED Lighting advice: “For hospitality lighting, always prioritize CRI (Color Rendering Index) above 90 to ensure true color representation.”

2.1 Brightness & Efficiency

Formula: The total required lumens = Area (m²) × Target Illuminance (lux) × 1.2 (Maintenance Factor). For example, if you have a 50 m² commercial space with a target illuminance of 500 lux, the total required lumens would be 50 × 500 × 1.2 = 30000 lumens.

Chip BrandLumens per Watt (lm/W)
Samsung130-150
Bridgelux110-130

2.2 Color Quality Essentials

Color Temperature Selection Flowchart:
  • For warm – toned environments like restaurants and cafes, recommend 2700K – 3000K.
  • For general office spaces, 4000K – 4500K is suitable.
  • In areas where a bright, cool light is needed, such as warehouses or hospitals, 5000K – 6500K can be used.
Case Example: A museum installed LED strips with a CRI of 95+ to illuminate its art exhibits. This significantly enhanced the visual appeal of the artworks, making the colors more vivid and attracting more visitors.

2.3 Voltage & Power Mastery

  • Calculation Tool Demonstration: 
    Input the length of the LED strip and its density (number of LEDs per meter) into the calculation tool. It will then automatically recommend the appropriate power supply specifications. For example, if you have a 10 – meter strip with 60 LEDs per meter, the tool will suggest a power supply with sufficient wattage to ensure proper operation.
  • Warning Icon:
    When comparing 24V and 12V LED strip systems for projects longer than 10 meters, 12V systems are more prone to voltage drop. For instance, in a 15 – meter installation, a 12V system may experience a voltage drop of [X] volts, while a 24V system may only have a drop of [Y] volts. This voltage drop can lead to uneven brightness and reduced lifespan of the LED strips.

Ensuring that your LED strips meet the necessary certifications is essential. The UL certification mark signifies compliance and can impact insurance costs positively. Use our IP rating decision tree by answering three questions to determine the required protection level. The IEC 60529 standard defines IP68 as dust-tight and protected against immersion in water, ensuring high durability.

Certification Visualization:

The UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification mark is a symbol of product safety. Having UL – certified LED strip lights can have a positive impact on insurance premiums. Insurance companies often offer lower rates for commercial buildings that use UL – certified electrical products, as they are considered to be of higher quality and less likely to cause electrical fires.

IP Rating Decision Tree:

  1. Is the installation indoor or outdoor?
  2. Will the LED strips be exposed to water or dust?
  3. What is the level of water or dust exposure (occasional splash, continuous immersion, etc.)?

Based on the answers to these questions, the appropriate IP (Ingress Protection) rating can be determined.

Integrating smart controls can enhance energy efficiency and user experience. Below is a comparison table of commercial-grade control systems:

TypeProtocolMaximum NodesTypical Application
DALIDigital64Large – scale office buildings, where centralized control of multiple lighting zones is required.Large – scale office buildings, where centralized control of multiple lighting zones is required.
DMX512Digital512Theaters, exhibition halls, and other large – scale entertainment or display venues that need complex lighting effects.
0-10VAnalog20Small – scale stores, where a simple and cost – effective lighting control solution is sufficient.

Industry Trend: According to the DALI Alliance, in 2024, the adoption rate of DALI – 2 increased by 37%. This growth is mainly due to its enhanced features such as better communication reliability, more flexible control options, and compatibility with a wider range of lighting products.

Pro Tips: Avoid This Costly Mistakes

Mistake: Using residential – grade LED strips in commercial settings can lead to warranty invalidation. The UL certifications for commercial and residential products are different. For more details, please refer to the [link to the Lighting services from UL Solutions].

A client from Singapore, a case of failure before working with us:
“He installed LED strips with the wrong IP rating in an area where they were exposed to water. As a result, the LED strips malfunctioned, and the client had to pay $15,000 in repair costs. This could have been easily avoided by choosing LED strips with the appropriate IP rating for the environment.”

If you are also looking for waterproof lighting solutions, you can contact us, here are some of our waterproof lighting products:

Waterproof LED channels:

view more waterproof products

Case Study: 3 Real Commercial Lighting Solutions

Project 1: Supermarket Cold Chain Lighting

Challenge: The supermarket’s cold chain area has an environment of – 25°C and experiences high – frequency vibrations due to refrigeration equipment.
Solution: The LED strips were encapsulated with silicone to protect against the cold and vibrations. Additionally, Sufficient material 6063 aluminum channels were used for installation to provide additional durability.

Project 2: Smart Office Building

Outcome: By implementing a DALI – based lighting control system, the smart office building achieved a 32% reduction in energy consumption. The DALI system allows for precise control of lighting levels based on occupancy and natural light availability, optimizing energy usage.

Future-Proofing Your Investment

Technology Roadmap: Micro – LED technology is expected to be commercialized between 2025 – 2030. Micro – LEDs offer several advantages such as higher brightness, better contrast, and longer lifespan compared to traditional LED technology. This technology has the potential to revolutionize commercial lighting in the coming years.

Sustainability Indicators: RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) certification is related to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points. Products with RoHS certification contain fewer harmful substances, which is in line with the sustainability goals of LEED. For example, a commercial building using RoHS – compliant LED strip lights can earn additional LEED points, contributing to a higher overall LEED rating.

FAQ Section with Verified Answers

A: No, due to differences in fire rating standards.
There is a significant difference in fire – resistance ratings between residential and commercial LED strips. For more details, please refer to the [PDF of the UL 1598 standard]. Commercial settings require higher fire – safety standards to protect the safety of occupants and property.

  • Step 1: Visit the UL official website and search for the product using the relevant certification number provided by the supplier.
  • Step 2: Request the supplier to provide the original test reports to confirm the authenticity of the certifications.

As you embark on your next commercial lighting project, remember to consider all these aspects comprehensively. Whether you’re a business owner, an architect, or a lighting designer, making informed decisions about LED strip lights will not only result in energy – efficient, visually appealing lighting solutions but also contribute to the overall success and sustainability of your commercial space.