PHOTO: LOU STEJSKAL
From big to small, every decision you make plays a role in the success (or failure) of your business. The choices you make for which vent hood lights to install may seem unimportant but when it comes to commercial kitchens, your lighting actually matters quite a lot. Commercial hood lights are often chosen without any prior consideration.
If you want to achieve the best result possible when selecting an exhaust hood light, there are some important things you should not overlook. Here are a three simple tips to help you find the best hood light fixtures and accessories for your commercial kitchen ventilation system.
1. Switch Commercial Hood Lights from incandescent to LED bulbs
One of the top tips we have for you is to replace your incandescent or CFL commercial hood lights with LED bulbs. LED bulbs are virtually maintenance free for years. And as a solid state light, they stand up to the most demanding environments and are not prone to damage.
Compared to incandescent bulbs, LED lights can last more than 25 times longer, cut energy use by more than 80 percent, and produce less heat (which you know is really important in a commercial kitchen!). Even compared to CFL bulbs, LEDs still last longer and they also don’t present any waste disposal issues (CFLs contain mercury).
We carry LED bulbs as well as one-piece recessed LED vent hood lights. Perfect for applications with limited overhead clearance (think food truck or concession trailer!) our recessed LED fixtures feature a tempered, prismatic glass diffuser and have a stainless steel satin finish to match hood interiors.
2. Invest in tempered coated globes
Protect your kitchen hood light fixtures from heat, grease, and moisture with a tempered coated globe. Tempered globes are made with specially processed glass that is about four times stronger than ordinary glass.
In addition to being stronger, unlike typical glass that can break into jagged shards, tempered glass will instead fracture into small, relatively harmless pieces. This is especially important for maintaining a safe work environment in a busy kitchen. Taking it a step further, a coated globe is treated with a thin layer of silicone which helps diffuse heat and prevents brown heat stains from forming on the glass. Add even more protection with the optional zinc-plated steel wire guard.
3. Add perimeter task lighting
While hood lighting is obviously important, many kitchen facilities don’t take the importance of good task lighting into consideration. Task lighting can complement your vent hood lights by providing targeted illumination to the perimeter of your cooking area. Added visibility means added safety, which is always paramount in a busy kitchen.
Learn about the different types of commercial hood lights for restaurant ventilation hoods in this short video.
Every commercial kitchen facility is unique, so be sure to take time when choosing the lighting for yours. Selecting the right exhaust hood light components is crucial. If you need any assistance with the purchasing your kitchen hood lights, contact a HoodFilters.com expert by calling 877-394-9731, emailing us, or contacting us online through our live chat portal.