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REFRIGERATION

Comparison

LED lighting vs Fluorescent lighting

Lighting in a display refrigerator does two jobs: it makes products look appealing, and it adds heat that the refrigeration system then has to remove. Older visi coolers and display cases used fluorescent tubes. Most new units use LED strips. If you are buying new, the choice has largely been made for you, but it still matters when buying refurbished equipment or deciding whether to retrofit an older unit. Lighting also affects how fresh food looks: the colour of the light can make cakes, meat or salads look appetising or dull, which is why display cases use carefully chosen light.

LED lighting compared with Fluorescent lighting
LED lightingFluorescent lighting
Heat inside the cabinetMuch less heat for the same light output, so less work for the compressor.More heat per unit of light, plus heat from the ballast.
Energy useLower lighting power and lower refrigeration load together.Higher on both counts.
Cold performanceWorks well at chilled and frozen temperatures; output often improves in the cold.Light output drops in cold cabinets, and starting can be slow or unreliable in freezers.
LifespanLong life, and gradual dimming rather than sudden failure.Shorter life. Tubes and starters need regular replacement.
Light qualityDirectional strips can light each shelf evenly; colour temperature can be chosen to suit the product.Broad, even light, but less control over where it falls.
DurabilitySolid-state, no glass tube, tolerant of vibration and door slams.Glass tubes can break, a hazard near food.
EnvironmentalNo mercury.Contains mercury and needs proper disposal.
Voltage sensitivityDrivers can fail with surges, though replacements are inexpensive.Ballasts and starters also fail, and voltage dips make tubes flicker.
Upfront costNow standard on most new display equipment.Cheaper replacement tubes, but mainly found on older units.

Choose led lighting when…

  • You are buying new display equipment, where LED is the normal choice.
  • You want to reduce both lighting and refrigeration running cost.
  • You need lighting inside freezers or glass-door ice-cream displays.
  • You want even shelf-by-shelf lighting for better product presentation.

Choose fluorescent lighting when…

  • You run older equipment that still works well and tubes are readily available.
  • You are keeping an older unit for a short time before replacement.
  • A retrofit would require rewiring that is not worth it for the remaining life of the cabinet.
  • The unit's lights are rarely used, so the saving would be small.
  • The cabinet is a solid-door storage unit where the light only comes on when the door opens.

The verdict

LED is the clear choice for new equipment and usually worth retrofitting on older display units that will stay in service for years, because it saves on both lighting and refrigeration. Fluorescent lighting is only worth keeping on older equipment near the end of its life. When retrofitting, use LED products rated for refrigerated use and have the wiring done properly, rather than simply swapping tubes with ballasts still connected. In freezers especially, the difference in reliability and light output is immediately visible. Also consider switching display lighting off after closing time. It reduces heat load overnight, saves electricity and gives the refrigeration an easier night in a hot shop.