What is the best lighting to invest in for my restaurant?

The type of lighting you choose for your restaurant will depend on several factors, including:

• Energy efficiency
• Installation costs
• The atmosphere you want to create

Types of lights to choose from

Among the types of lighting you might invest in for your restaurant are the following:

Incandescent

Incandescent bulbs provide a pleasantly warm lighting that’s certain to make guests feel welcome and relaxed, especially after they wait in line (hopefully not for long!). However, they aren’t very energy efficient, which translates into higher operational costs.

Fluorescent

Fluorescent lights use ionized gas to produce light. They’re more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and last longer, but they tend to cost much more upfront as well. In addition, fluorescent bulbs require ballasts to control the light, which could add to their cost.

LED

LED (light emitting diode) bulbs are the most energy efficient, longest lasting, and lowest maintenance bulbs on the market. They come in a wide range of colors, allowing you to customize the level of light you have in any given area. On the other hand, they are also the most expensive upfront.

Also, since LED technology is constantly developing, when you do need to replace your lights, you might end up with mismatching colors, brightness, etc.

Restaurant lighting and energy efficiency

When choosing the type of bulbs, you’ll want to compare these factors:

Upfront costs

The costs of LED and fluorescent bulbs are higher than those of incandescent lights. In addition, modern bulbs might require new fixtures, potentially making installation too expensive for some establishments.

Energy efficiency

On the other hand, the long life and efficient energy usage of LEDs far outclasses those of fluorescent and incandescent bulbs, meaning you’ll save money long-term.

Atmosphere

One final consideration is atmosphere. Incandescent bulbs offer much more relaxing lighting than fluorescents and LEDs, though the technology of LED lighting is catching up.

Atmosphere varies by area. You’ll use brighter task lighting for work areas such as the kitchen, while softer ambient light might be best for dining areas and washrooms.

Choosing the right lighting

Ultimately, it comes down to what makes sense for your establishment. You’ll want to keep energy costs down, of course, so if you can, go for energy efficient bulbs. You don’t necessarily need to install them all at once—update your lighting one area at a time, as budget allows.