New lighting doesn’t have to be a big investment

"Should we look at the lighting in the whole barn?" That is how many enquiries to RN Solutions begin. And the answer is often simpler than you might think: in the vast majority of cases only part of the lighting really needs attention – not the whole system.

A lighting system rarely wears evenly across the whole barn. Some sections are more exposed to moisture and ammonia than others, and that is usually where problems appear first. Knowing the difference between ordinary wear in one spot and something that really calls for a bigger effort can save both time and unnecessary expense.

Replace only what has broken

In many cases individual luminaires can be replaced one by one, without touching the rest of the installation. This applies in particular if the system is otherwise in good condition and the problem is limited to a few specific points in the barn.

Of course, the new luminaire has to fit the existing installation – but in most cases this is a manageable job that does not require the whole barn to be redone.

Prioritise the most heavily loaded section

Moisture and ammonia do not stress every part of a barn equally. Areas close to slurry, wash areas or places with high humidity are typically where luminaires first start to show wear – while the rest of the installation can last considerably longer.

By starting where the load is greatest, you can often postpone a bigger decision until it is actually needed – instead of treating the whole barn as one project.

A spare part is often enough

On some of RN Solutions' product series, individual components – such as the light source or driver – can be replaced separately, instead of replacing the whole luminaire. This is not always possible, depending on the age and construction of the product series, but it costs nothing to ask before moving on to a bigger decision.

Get an assessment before you decide

If you are unsure whether a problem in the barn can be solved with a couple of individual luminaires, or whether it requires more, it can be a good idea to have it assessed before deciding. A concrete assessment of the individual installation can typically show whether a smaller or a larger job lies ahead.