Lighting large indoor spaces like warehouses, factories, and gymnasiums requires powerful solutions that can illuminate high ceilings and wide areas effectively.
High bay lights are designed for this purpose – they provide bright, even lighting from ceilings typically 20 to 45 feet high. In recent years, LED high bay lights have become the go-to choice for high bay lighting in Canada, replacing older metal halide and fluorescent fixtures.
They offer superior energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and better light quality – meaning lower electricity bills and less maintenance. This guide will walk you through what high bay LED lights are, the types available, key features to consider, and how to choose the ideal high bay lighting for your space. Whether you’re illuminating a warehouse or a sports arena, these tips will help you make an informed decision.
What Are LED High Bay Lights?
LED high bay lights are high-intensity fixtures designed for buildings with very high ceilings (typically above 20 feet). The term high bay refers to lighting used in expansive indoor areas such as warehouses, manufacturing plants, big-box retail stores, gymnasiums, and airplane hangars.
In these settings, fixtures are mounted high above the floor and must deliver bright, uniform light to ensure adequate visibility and safety.
Traditional high bay lighting relied on metal halide, high-pressure sodium, or fluorescent lamps. Today, LED technology has revolutionized this category. LED high bay lights can produce equal or greater brightness than those older lamps while using only a fraction of the energy. They can output tens of thousands of lumens to brightly illuminate broad areas from up high.
On top of that, LEDs last much longer (often 50,000 hours or more), which means far fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs. For businesses mindful of energy costs (especially in Canada), upgrading to LED high bay lighting is a smart long-term investment.
Types of LED High Bay Lights
LED high bay fixtures come in a few different shapes and designs, each suited to certain applications. The main types include:
Round (UFO) High Bay Lights:
Round LED high bay lights – often called UFO high bays due to their saucer-like shape – are circular fixtures that hang from a single point on the ceiling. They usually provide a broad, circular beam (around 120° spread) to illuminate wide areas evenly.
UFO high bays are popular in open areas like warehouses, factories, and gymnasiums, because they’re easy to install and deliver powerful, widespread light. These fixtures are also typically very durable, built to withstand tough industrial conditions.
Linear High Bay Lights:
Linear high bay fixtures are long, rectangular luminaires similar to fluorescent shop lights. These are ideal for lighting up aisles or long, narrow spaces.
You often see linear LED high bays in warehouses and large retail stores. They can be mounted directly to the ceiling or suspended by chains, and they come in various lengths (such as 2-foot and 4-foot sizes) to fit different layouts.
Specialized High Bay Lights:
Some high bay fixtures are made for special applications. For example, vapor-tight high bay lights are sealed fixtures designed to keep out water and dust; they are used in very dirty or humid environments such as food processing plants or indoor swimming pools.
These units have waterproof, dustproof enclosures (high IP ratings) to protect against harsh conditions. Most buyers, however, will end up choosing either the round “UFO” style or the linear style LED high bay lights for their large space.
Key Features to Consider When Buying LED High Bay Lights
When evaluating LED high bay lights for your facility, pay attention to these key factors:
Brightness (Lumens)
The brightness of a high bay light is measured in lumens. For large spaces, you will typically need fixtures with very high lumen output to adequately illuminate the area from a tall ceiling.
As a guideline, a warehouse with 20–30 ft ceilings might use fixtures in the 20,000–30,000 lumen range. Compare lights by their lumen output – LED technology produces more light with fewer watts, so brightness is best judged in lumens rather than watts. In general, the higher the lumen rating of a fixture, the more area it can light effectively.
Color Temperature
Color temperature describes the color appearance of the light (measured in Kelvin). It influences the ambiance and visibility in your space.
4000K (neutral white) provides a balanced, natural-looking light that works well for general purposes. 5000K (cool white) appears brighter and more bluish; this is often preferred in warehouses and industrial facilities where maximum clarity is desired. 3000K (warm white) gives a softer, yellowish glow and is used in areas where a more relaxed atmosphere is needed (this is less common for high bays).
Choose a color temperature that suits the activities in your space – cooler light for precision and alertness, warmer light for comfort.
Wattage and Energy Efficiency
Wattage tells you how much electrical power a fixture draws. A major benefit of LED high bay lights is that they provide a lot of brightness with far less wattage than older lighting technologies. In fact, switching to LED can cut energy use by around 60–80% compared to equivalent traditional lamps.
When comparing fixtures, check their lumens-per-watt (efficacy) – a higher efficacy means more light output for each watt consumed. Ultimately, select a fixture wattage that meets your lighting needs without wasting energy.
Voltage Compatibility
Commercial and industrial buildings can have different electrical supply voltages, so it’s important to choose LED high bay lights that are compatible. Most standard LED high bays support a range like 120–277V AC, which covers common voltages.
If your facility uses a higher supply like 347V (common in Canadian industry) or 480V, make sure to select fixtures specifically rated for that range. Using a fixture not designed for your circuit can lead to issues, so always match the fixture’s voltage spec to your building’s power.
IP Rating (Ingress Protection)
The IP rating of a fixture indicates its resistance to dust and water ingress. If your environment is clean and dry (a typical warehouse or gym), you may not need a high IP rating. However, if there is a lot of dust or any chance of moisture where the lights will be installed (for example, in a barn or factory), consider fixtures rated IP65 or above.
An IP65-rated high bay is dust-tight and can handle low-pressure water jets, making it suitable for dusty or damp conditions. High IP-rated fixtures will be more durable in these challenging environments, helping your lighting stay bright and reliable over time.
Certifications (Safety and Performance)
Make sure any LED high bay lights you purchase are properly certified for use in Canada. Look for safety certifications like cUL, cETL, or CSA – all electrical fixtures in Canada should bear one of these marks to show they meet national safety standards.
Additionally, check for DLC (DesignLights Consortium) certification, which indicates high energy efficiency and performance; DLC-listed fixtures often qualify for utility rebate programs. Sticking to certified products ensures you get safe, high-quality lights and may make you eligible for energy rebates.
Additional Features
Consider if you need any extra features. Many LED high bay lights offer dimming capability or compatibility with motion sensors. Dimmable fixtures (typically 0–10V dimming) allow you to reduce light levels or use automatic controls to save energy when full brightness isn’t required.
Motion sensors can turn lights on or off based on occupancy, which is useful in warehouses that aren’t occupied 24/7. Also, check the warranty – high-quality LED high bays often come with a 5-year (or longer) warranty, which indicates a long expected lifespan and manufacturer confidence.
Buying LED High Bay Lights in Canada Why Choose Lumenco
In Canada, one of the best lighting distributors for high bay LED lights is Lumenco. Lumenco is a Canadian-owned company specializing in innovative LED lighting solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential needs. They have a strong reputation for expertise and customer service, and offer a wide selection of high-quality, certified LED high bay lights.
By purchasing from a reputable local distributor like Lumenco, you can be confident that your fixtures are approved for use in Canada and backed by reliable support. Lumenco provides fast Canada-wide shipping and competitive pricing, making it a convenient one-stop shop for high bay lighting projects.
Conclusion
Proper high bay lighting is crucial for any large indoor space, and LED technology makes it easier than ever to achieve bright, efficient illumination. By understanding the different types of high bay lights (UFO vs. linear) and evaluating key features like brightness, color temperature, wattage, IP rating, and certifications, you can confidently select the ideal lighting solution for your needs.
Remember to source your fixtures from a trustworthy Canadian supplier (such as Lumenco) to ensure you get quality, certified products. With the right LED high bay lights in place, your facility will be bright, energy-efficient, and cost-effective.
