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diately notice it on the drywall ceiling initial low cost and opt for modular LED ones for property managers and condo
of the suite corridors or the lobby. Now, solutions. This will prevent the need to board members to consider is the lower
you must patch and paint the drywall replace fixtures every 3 to 7 years, saving initial purchase cost, driven by higher
or regrout tiles, as well as replace a light corporations significant amounts in rebate eligibility and lower fixture
fixture. It would have been nice just to downstream costs and hassle. prices. However, savvy managers
change a light bulb and be done with it. While it is true that purpose-built understand that everything, including
But when you are literally pulling out the LED fixtures are generally understood LED lighting, requires maintenance at
guts of light fixtures back to the main elec- to be more energy-efficient than modu- some point. LED lighting has certainly
trical connection, damage is unavoidable. lar LED light sources, this isn’t always the not exempted itself from this reality,
Decorative surface finishes are not built to case. Even if it is, the difference in energy and maintenance should mean chang-
withstand that kind of stress. savings percentage is typically in the ing a light bulb, not ripping out light
There is good news on the sustainability single digits and largely negligible. When fixtures back to its main electrical
front, however. The lighting industry still it comes to rated life, there is no evidence connection.
manufactures legacy-style light fixtures that LEDs deployed in a purpose-built Therefore, modular LED lighting is the
that accept modular LED tubes and bulbs, manner outlast those deployed in legacy financially, aesthetically, and environ-
which can be easily replaced when they light bulb or tube shapes, even though mentally sustainable choice whenever
burn out. For condominium corporations manufacturers make these claims all the and wherever possible. This approach
prioritizing sustainability in their lighting time. It is important to keep in mind that, supports long-term sustainability goals
decisions, choosing Modular LED lighting in the early days of the LED lighting trans- by allowing easier maintenance and
solutions over Purpose-Built is advisable, formation, it was common for some LED replacement of components without
to say the least. manufacturers to offer 10-year warran- compromising on aesthetic consistency
In the boardroom, the pendulum will ties on purpose-built LED fixtures. Most or environmental impact. n
swing towards purpose-built solutions of those companies are no longer in busi-
due to price considerations. Modular ness, which means there is no warranty. Michael Colligan is the host of Get a
LED lighting systems almost always cost Plus, product warranties don’t cover the Grip on Lighting, a popular lighting pod-
more upfront and may receive lower cost of the electrician, the equipment or cast series www.getagriponlighting.com.
or no rebates from the government. the permit required to do the work. He is also the President of the Lighting
However, managers must urge board So, the only advantage purpose-built Solutions Group of Companies.
members to look past purpose-built’s LED light fixtures have over modular www.lightingsolutionsgrp.com

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50 I CM Magazine FALL 2024