Commercial lighting and residential lighting are two different aspects of lighting altogether. Residential lighting resonates around indoor and outdoor lighting solutions for your home while commercial lighting typically refers to the specialized lighting solutions used in commercial spaces like hospitality institutions, modern workspaces, healthcare facilities, etc.

Moreover, lighting used for illuminating public infrastructure facilities like roads, highways, and other government facilities also fall under the category of commercial lighting. On many occasions, people tend to get confused between commercial and residential lighting, allegedly due to their similar designs and appearance.

However, the leading commercial lighting manufacturers assert that lighting solutions for commercial spaces vary notably with residential lighting solutions on fronts like purpose and cost. Thus, it is important to understand the differences between the two as wrong application can lead to significant decrease in the efficiency quotient.

Here are some of the major differences between commercial lighting solutions and residential lighting solutions:

1. Purpose

Both residential as well as commercial lighting solutions are installed to serve various purposes. Residential lighting is majorly installed to complement the house’s aesthetics and interiors. It is typically used as ambient lighting for making the personal space more functional and comfortable. On the other hand, commercial lighting solutions are installed for professional motives. For instance, modern workspaces decide on commercial office light fixtures and smart lighting solutions that complement employee health and wellness, which in turns results in higher productivity levels.

2. Durability

Commercial LED luminaires are typically more durable than the LED luminaires manufactured for residential installations. They are susceptible to long service hours and harsh conditions, which in turn forces commercial lighting manufacturers to power them with additional features.

3. Cost

Commercial lighting appliances are loaded with multiple features and additional components. Their initially outlay is significantly higher, and hence, they are typically costlier than their residential counterparts. However, pricing could be subject to various other factors like brand, types of light, etc.

4. Lighting Design

Lighting in commercial spaces is primarily aimed at increasing efficiency in terms of cost and energy, and for ensuring the safety and good health of the employees. Thus, office authorities typically decide on commercial light fittings with (about) 400K colour temperature. On the other hand, lighting design in a residential space depends largely upon the house area and purpose of the room. For instance, many people decide on lights with 3000K colour temperature for their bedrooms in order to furnish a cosy and relaxing atmosphere.

Lastly, commercial lighting is planned keeping in mind the high movement and traffic in the space. Unlike homes where only a few people live, commercial spaces are leveraged to experience high footfall throughout the day. Thus, their lighting requirements are naturally more demanding.