When planning a lighting project like lighting a car dealership, careful planning is important. You want the lighting to make your cars look their best and make the customers feel welcome and comfortable. Here are several elements to consider:
Pole Materials: There are three materials available: aluminum, steel, and fiberglass. Aluminum is lightweight and is resistant to the corrosive effects of weather. Fiberglass is lightweight and does not rust. Steel is a popular option because of its strength and versatility.
Installation Options: There are two installation options: direct burial and anchor-based. Direct burial poles are cost-effective and well suited for car storage areas where the space is unpaved; you can easily dig for installation. Anchor-based installation is best for a car dealership lot since anchor-based poles are easily replaced in the case of damage from a car impact. The foundation can be raised above the ground for safety purposes. You would have to dig up and replace the entire pole with direct burial, a more costly and time-consuming process.
Height of the Pole: Pole height is an important consideration. Too low, and the lot will not get enough light coverage. It will also shine too brightly near the ground, creating a glare problem for your customers. Too high, you may lose lighting effectiveness because of too wide a dispersal. A common pole height for parking lots is 20-30 feet tall, which would work well in a car dealership lot.
Type of Fixture: LED lighting for car dealerships includes outdoor commercial lighting fixtures such as floodlights, wall packs, area lighting, and street lighting. All these fixtures feature energy-saving LED-efficient light. You should also consider the area you are lighting. You will want brighter light in areas displaying your cars for sale. Other low-traffic areas typically use lower light levels. Don’t forget the exterior walls of your building. There are ideal locations for mounting wall packs and floodlights.
Number of Fixtures Per Pole: In most cases, you will need more than one fixture on a pole if you are lighting large areas or need to light areas on multiple sides of the pole. By utilizing this method, you can maximize the use of light poles while optimizing dollars spent.
Number of Foot Candles Needed: Foot candles refer to the amount of light needed to illuminate a given area. As an example, the exterior of a building like a gas station may need 3–5-foot candles, but a large commercial area like a car dealership would be better served with 10–20-foot candles. Word of caution, municipalities are extremely strict regarding light spillage to sidewalks. Get your lighting plan approved by the municipality before making your purchase. See the example of a lighting design layout for a car dealership.
