In 2013, the Super Bowl was delayed after a power disruption knocked off some lighting. It didn’t take long for the team at the Superdome to get the lights back on, but it did take time for them to warm again up to full brightness. Why? Because the stadium was using HID lamps, which require a significant amount of time to warm up. The quick disruption of light leads to several minutes of delay in the game.

This example shows one of the reasons that sports stadiums and the people who maintain them are looking to different lighting technology. While HID lighting served the industry well for several decades, LED light has changed the sports lighting industry. Stadium lighting companies are routinely turning to LEDs to give their stadiums better lighting that’s more efficient and always ready. Here is a closer look at many of the benefits of LED lighting and the problems it helps to overcome.

Lowered Energy Costs

The Department of Energy estimates that 17 percent of all lighting energy in the country is used outdoors. Sports stadiums are a significant contributor to that number. Companies that own and maintain stadiums are always on the lookout for ways to reduce their energy costs, without sacrificing the quality of the light used in their facilities and at their events. HID lighting became the go-to choice for stadium lighting because it offered more lumens-per-watt than other outdoor lighting options when it was initially developed. However, LED now provides a more efficient opportunity.

HID lamps have wattages that range from 400 to 2,000. AEON LED Luminaires range from 230 to 750 watts for equivalent brightness. This means that stadium lighting companies can reduce energy costs by as much as 63 percent simply by making the switch from HID to AEON’s LED products. Over time, that adds up to signification energy savings.

Reduced Maintenance Effort and Cost

Another benefit of LED lighting is its long potential lifespan. This becomes important in stadium lighting, where replacing a lamp or luminaire takes a considerable amount of effort and expense. These lights are not easily accessed, so it requires extra time and labor to change one.

AEON LED Luminaires last significantly longer than HID lighting, so you will not have to spend much time replacing lamps. These lamps are rated to last over 100,000 hours, which means many years of use. The overall construction of the luminaire, which protects all sensitive components, and the patented venting system, which protects from heat damage, lead to this longer lifespan and reduced maintenance costs.

No Warm-Up Time

Unlike HID lighting, which can take as much as 20 minutes to achieve 90 percent brightness, LED lighting achieves full brightness the moment it sufficiently on. This means there is not required warm up time, which in turn can cause wasted energy when using LED lighting in a sports stadium. The moment the switch is flipped, the lights are fully bright, and play can begin.

Improved Lighting Performance

Not only does LED lighting require no warm-up time, but it also delivers superior lighting throughout the life of the lamp or luminaire. Meaning, it will not lose effectiveness as it ages, and stadiums will enjoy the same level of brightness year after year.

In contrast, HID lighting tends to use lighting quality and light output over time, leading to a change in overall lighting quality before the expected lifespan of the lamp. Not only does the lighting dim, but it can also change colors, rendering an orange or pink hue on the ground below. This creates poor color rendering and also increases visual fatigue for players and spectators alike.

Better Color Rendering

One challenge facing modern stadium lighting companies is the need to have lighting that renders colors true-to-life. LED lighting delivers lighting that is very close to natural sunlight. With AEON LED Luminaires, you can enjoy glare-free lighting with UGH<19 and correct color rendering with CRI>85. This means that the colors will appear accurate not only to the audience in the stadium but also to those watching from home.

High definition televisions and recording systems require specific illumination which is challenging to achieve with traditional lighting options. AEON LED Luminaires were explicitly designed to match the needs of 4K and HDTV broadcasting so that events can be fully televised.

From improved energy to improved overall lighting and brightness, LED is the smart choice for stadium lighting companies. AEON LED Luminaires provide industry-leading technology that delivers all of the benefits of LED, with a longer lifespan and the best lighting clarity in the industry. Shop AEON LED today to find the right lights for your stadium’s needs.