Illuminate California offers incentives for both high bay and low bay LED luminaires. While the two types of bay lighting are similar, there are a few differences to consider when deciding which option is best for your project.
In general, bay lighting refers to a luminaire mounted onto a high ceiling used to illuminate a large area, such as a warehouse or factory. The most significant consideration when selecting a low bay or a high bay is the ceiling height. Low bays are typically used for ceilings less than 25 feet high, while high bays are typically used for ceilings 25 feet or higher.
View the comparison chart below to learn more, and contact our program team to ask about incentives for your next commercial or industrial lighting project.
| Low Bay | High Bay | |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling Height | < 25 feet | ≥ 25 feet |
| Lumen Output | Typically 5,000 – 20,000 lumens | Typically >15,000 lumens |
| Hanging Method | Suspension mounted with chains or hooks. | Suspension mounted with chains or hooks, pendant mounted, or fixed to ceiling directly. |
| Beam Angle |
120° A wide beam angle spreads light over large areas, delivering light that is more uniform and well-distributed. |
60°, 90°, or 120° A narrower beam angle allows the high bay to concentrate light in a more focused beam. This helps compensate for the farther distance the light needs to travel. |
| Color Temperature | Can have warm to cool color temperatures depending on preference and use case. | Typically has a cooler color temperature to provide sharper contrast and higher visibility. |
| Common Building Types | Offices, retail stores, restaurants | Warehouses, storage facilities, manufacturing facilities, big box stores, gyms |
Posted September 16, 2022