LED Lights for Parking Garages

What Types of LED Fixtures Are Used in Parking Garages?

Parking garage installations require specific fixture characteristics due to typical 8-10 foot ceiling heights. We recommend low-wattage fixtures with 120-degree beam angles to achieve uniform coverage without harsh shadows. The most common commercial lighting fixtures for parking garages are

Over 17 years of garage lighting projects, we've seen these fixtures deliver 75% energy savings while eliminating maintenance headaches. Universal 120-277V drivers automatically adjust to your building's electrical system. Most clients choose 40-150 watt fixtures to meet the 5-10 foot candle requirements for general parking areas. Surface mounting is standard, though pendant configurations work well in garages with higher structural clearances.

The U.S. Department of Energy has documented that LED lighting can reduce energy consumption by 75% or more compared to traditional lighting technologies, making LED fixtures an ideal choice for parking garage applications where lights operate continuously. This significant energy reduction helps facility managers achieve substantial cost savings while maintaining optimal illumination levels for safety and security.

Parking Garage Before Conversion to our LED Fixtures

Parking Garage After Conversion to our LED Parking Garage Fixtures

What are the Best LED Lighting Fixtures for Use in a Parking Garage?

Wide optics become critical when ceiling heights drop below 10 feet. Fixture selection depends on your specific layout and safety requirements. We recommend 5000K color temperature for optimal visibility and to provide crisper illumination in security-sensitive areas. Wattage-adjustable models let you fine-tune output between 40-120 watts after installation.

Beyond illumination levels, practical considerations matter. Underground garages benefit from IP65-rated vapor-proof designs that resist exhaust fumes. High-vandalism locations need impact-resistant housings. Motion sensor integration can reduce energy consumption by 40% in low-traffic zones.

Contact us today, and the lighting experts at LED Lighting Supply can help you with that.

Are Vapor Tight Fixtures the Best Lighting Option for a Parking Garage?

Vapor-tight fixtures aren't always necessary, but underground installations create special conditions. Vehicle exhaust contains corrosive elements that can penetrate standard housings over time. SeaLED vapor-tight construction with IP65 ratings protects internal components from contamination. This protection extends fixture life and maintains light output consistency.

Above-ground garages often work fine with standard canopy fixtures since ventilation reduces contamination concerns. Many canopy models already include IP65 sealing without the premium cost of full vapor-tight construction.

What's the Difference between Parking Garage Lighting and Parking Lot Lights?

Garage environments create unique challenges that outdoor parking lots don't face. Enclosed structures limit natural light and create confined spaces where glare becomes problematic. Low ceiling heights require wide beam angles and moderate wattages to prevent hot spots.

Outdoor parking lots use high-wattage fixtures on 20-30 foot poles to cover large areas. These installations typically require 150-400 watt shoebox or area lights designed for weather exposure. The mounting heights and power requirements make outdoor fixtures unsuitable for garage installations.

Garages need fixtures optimized for close-proximity mounting with controlled distribution patterns. Wide optics spread light evenly across parking spaces without creating uncomfortable glare for drivers and pedestrians.

What are the Benefits of Using LED Lights in a Parking Garage?

What are the Ideal Foot Candles for a Parking Garage?

• General Parking Areas: 5-10 fc
• Parking Garage Entrances / Exits: 50 fc (daytime), 10-20 fc (nighttime)
• Ramp Areas and Drive Lanes: 5-10 fc (ensure uniform illumination of drive lanes to enhance safety)
• Stairwells & Elevator Lobbies: 10-20 fc
• High-Security Areas: 20-50 fc

Proper lighting in these areas helps to deter criminals by reducing dark spots and increasing visibility.

The Illuminating Engineering Society provides comprehensive guidance on parking structure lighting in IES RP-20, which establishes recommended illuminance levels for different zones within parking facilities. These standards help ensure adequate visibility for pedestrian and vehicle safety while optimizing energy efficiency throughout the facility.

What's the Best Way to Get Rid of Shadows in a Parking Garage?

Shadow problems stem from several common installation mistakes we encounter regularly. Narrow beam angles create bright spots with dark areas between fixtures. Inadequate fixture spacing leaves gaps in coverage that structural elements like columns and beams can worsen.

Successful shadow elimination starts with proper fixture selection:

• Choose fixtures with 120-degree beam angles for ceiling heights under 12 feet
• Calculate proper spacing ratios based on mounting height and fixture distribution
• Position fixtures to minimize obstruction from structural elements
• Verify adequate fixture count for your square footage

A professional lighting plan eliminates guesswork by calculating precise fixture placement and wattage requirements. We create these plans at no cost to ensure optimal coverage throughout your garage space.

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications, including DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals. These certifications ensure safety, performance, and energy efficiency while qualifying your project for utility rebates and tax incentives. DLC Premium certification guarantees the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) maintains rigorous testing standards for commercial LED lighting products, and DLC Premium qualification ensures fixtures meet the highest performance criteria for energy efficiency and light quality. This certification is often required for utility rebate programs and helps facility managers maximize their return on investment through available incentive programs.

5 Year Warranty and Warranty Support

All our lights come with at least a 5-year warranty, and all warranty support is based in the USA. We take customer support seriously, and helping you with a warranty claim is important to us. Our experienced support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues.

Why Choose LED Lighting Supply for Your Parking Garage Project

Our team combines 17 years of commercial lighting experience with deep technical knowledge of parking garage applications. We provide complimentary custom lighting plans that calculate precise fixture placement and energy savings specific to your facility's dimensions and usage patterns.

Our product specialists understand the critical differences between underground and above-ground installations, helping you select the right IP ratings and beam angles for your environment. Unlike generic lighting suppliers, we stock only fixtures that have proven successful in real-world garage installations. Every recommendation comes with detailed energy savings calculations showing your exact ROI timeline and annual cost reductions. Our USA-based technical support team provides ongoing assistance throughout your project lifecycle, ensuring optimal performance from day one through years of operation.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

After 17 years of parking garage retrofits, we see contractors repeat the same errors that create expensive callbacks and safety problems. Most issues come down to using outdoor lighting standards in confined garage environments where different rules apply.

• Using narrow beam angles creates hot spots and shadow zones between fixtures. Garages under 12 feet need 120-degree distribution patterns to eliminate dark areas.
• Specifying high wattage fixtures because they worked outdoors causes severe glare in low ceiling installations. Calculate foot candles first, then pick appropriate wattage.
• Ignoring structural beams and columns when laying out fixture positions. Check sight lines and reposition fixtures to prevent shadows from structural elements.
• Installing standard canopy fixtures in underground garages where exhaust fumes corrode internal components. Underground installations require IP65 vapor-tight housings.
• Using outdoor spacing ratios that leave coverage gaps in garage environments. Lower mounting heights need closer fixture spacing for uniform light levels.
• Wiring motion sensors to main circuits instead of separate switching creates code violations and safety hazards during maintenance.
• Installing emergency battery packs as an afterthought when codes require integrated EMB fixtures in exit routes and stairwells.

LED Lights for Parking Garages Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of LED Fixtures Are Best for Parking Garage Applications?

Parking garages with 8-10 foot ceiling heights require specific light fixtures designed for low-mounting applications. LED canopy lights, canopy low bays, and vapor-tight fixtures deliver optimal performance with 120-degree beam angles for uniform lighting. Most installations use 40-150 watt fixtures with universal 120-277V drivers that automatically adjust to your building's electrical system, achieving the required 5-10 foot candles for general parking areas.

How Much Energy Can LED Parking Garage Lighting Save Compared to Metal Halide?

Energy-efficient LED parking garage fixtures deliver 75-79% energy savings versus traditional high intensity discharge systems. A 60W LED fixture replaces a 250W metal halide (288W with ballast), saving $168.81 annually per fixture at standard commercial rates. For a 20-fixture installation, this translates to $3,376 in annual energy savings with ROI achieved in under 8 months.

What Foot Candle Levels Are Required for Parking Garage Lighting?

General parking areas require 5-10 foot candles, while entrance and exit zones need 50 fc during daytime and 10-20 fc at night. Stairwells and elevator lobbies should maintain 10-20 fc, with high-security areas requiring 20-50 fc. Ramp areas and drive lanes need consistent 5-10 fc illumination to ensure safe vehicle movement throughout the facility.

Are Vapor-Tight Fixtures Necessary for Underground Parking Garages?

Underground installations benefit from IP65-rated vapor-tight fixtures that resist vehicle exhaust and corrosive elements. These sealed housings protect internal components from contamination, extending fixture life and maintaining consistent light output. Above-ground garages often work well with standard canopy fixtures since better ventilation reduces contamination concerns, though many canopy models include IP65 sealing without premium vapor-tight pricing.

How Do You Eliminate Shadows in Parking Garage Lighting?

Shadow elimination requires fixtures with 120-degree beam angles for ceiling heights under 12 feet, combined with proper spacing calculations based on mounting height. Position fixtures to minimize obstruction from structural columns and beams while ensuring adequate fixture count for your square footage. We calculate precise fixture placement through professional lighting plans to guarantee uniform coverage throughout your garage space.

What Color Temperature Works Best for Parking Garage Security?

5000K color temperature provides optimal visibility and crisp illumination in security-sensitive areas. This daylight white output enhances color recognition and visual acuity compared to warmer temperatures, improving safety for pedestrians and vehicle operators. The cooler temperature also works well with security cameras, providing better image quality for surveillance systems.

Can Motion Sensors Reduce Parking Garage Lighting Energy Costs?

Occupancy sensors reduce energy consumption by 30-50% in parking garages with irregular traffic patterns. Motion sensor integration dims lights in unoccupied zones while maintaining safety lighting levels in active areas. This technology works particularly well in large garages where sections remain empty for extended periods, maximizing energy savings without compromising security requirements.

How Long Do LED Parking Garage Fixtures Last Compared to Fluorescent?

LED fixtures deliver 100,000+ hour lifespans versus 15,000-20,000 hours for fluorescent systems. This long life eliminates frequent bulb and ballast replacements that create ongoing maintenance costs and safety concerns in parking environments. Most installations operate 15-20 years before requiring fixture replacement, dramatically reducing long-term operational expenses.

What Installation Requirements Apply to Parking Garage LED Lighting?

Modern LED fixtures mount to existing infrastructure without special wiring in most applications. Universal 120-277V drivers work with standard electrical systems, while surface mounting is typical for low-ceiling installations. Wattage-adjustable models allow output tuning between 40-120 watts after installation to meet specific illumination requirements without fixture changes.

Why Choose LED Lighting Supply for Parking Garage Projects?

We combine 15+ years of commercial lighting expertise with proven success across 25,000+ installations to deliver optimal parking garage lighting solutions. Our team provides complimentary custom lighting plans, calculating precise fixture placement and energy savings specific to your facility's dimensions. We understand the critical differences between underground and above-ground installations, helping you select appropriate IP ratings and beam angles while providing detailed ROI calculations and ongoing USA-based technical support.

What Certifications Should Parking Garage LED Fixtures Have?

Essential certifications include DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals, ensuring safety, performance, and maximum energy efficiency. DLC Premium certification guarantees the highest efficiency standards and qualifies installations for utility rebates and tax incentives. IP65 ratings provide dust and water resistance, while IK08 impact ratings ensure durability in high-traffic parking environments.

How Do Parking Garage Lighting Requirements Differ from Parking Lot Applications?

Garage environments require wide beam angles and moderate wattages due to low ceiling heights, while parking lot lighting applications use high-wattage fixtures on 20-30 foot poles. Enclosed structures limit ambient light and create confined spaces where glare control becomes critical, requiring fixtures optimized for close-proximity mounting. Garage installations typically use 40-150 watt fixtures versus 150-400 watt outdoor lighting units designed for weather exposure and large area coverage.

What's the Difference Between LED Parking Lot Lights and Parking Garage Lighting?

While both lighting types improve safety and visibility, they are designed for very different environments:

Parking lot pole lighting is built for open outdoor areas. It uses pole-mounted fixtures with wide beam distributions to illuminate large spaces uniformly. These lights are weatherproof, often IP65+ rated, and designed with low glare to reduce light pollution into surrounding areas.

LED Parking Garage Lighting, by contrast, is made for enclosed or low-ceiling structures. It uses surface- or ceiling-mounted fixtures with controlled optics to prevent glare and maintain consistent brightness in confined spaces. Garage fixtures also emphasize instant-on performance, uniform light levels, and occupancy controls for energy efficiency.