Aside from their homes, people usually spend most of their time in an office. As a business owner, it’s important for you to create a comfortable working environment for your employees. This will lead to happier employees and a more productive workplace. 

If you're starting out your business or want to upgrade your office space, here is how to choose the right electrical supplies for your business.  

Important Tips For Choosing The Right Electrical Product

Before we look at some of the best electrical supplies for your business, here are some important tips to help you get organised. 

Create A Plan

You’ve probably heard this tip before, but it’s really important. You must create a plan. 

Planning before shopping for business electrical supplies is crucial. This makes the process much quicker and more organised. 

When planning, think of all the necessary factors in getting electrical supplies. These include their purpose and how you will use them. 

A carefully built plan will ensure that you only buy the product you need in the right quantity. A plan will also help you remove any extra electrical items you may have no use for. In this way, planning becomes almost cost-effective. 

When purchasing electrical supplies, you might juggle several factors, including your budget, the number of items needed, how long it will take to get them, etc. 

A plan will help help you sort through all the confusion and find exactly what you need. 

Your plan doesn’t have to be too detailed, so you can even get by with just a checklist. But make sure to jot down any important information that will help you make the right decision. 

Set A Budget

The next step to choosing the right electrical supplies includes creating a budget. It’s best to start with a reasonable budget for your electrical product shopping. 

While you might be tempered to splurge on some items, it is crucial that you stick to a set amount. When thinking of the budget, always keep quality in mind. 

If you don’t want a strict budget, leaving some room for any price adjustment is always a good idea. When you’re purchasing your electrical equipment, you will notice that the price of one product might vary according to the manufacturer. 

For example, LED bulbs from manufacturer A might be more expensive than those from manufacturer B. In this situation, do some research on the supplier to ensure you are paying for the best product possible. 

In short, your budget should always consider the product's quality and its safety. Some low-quality electrical products can cause serious danger to your employees. 

There are several great electrical products at an affordable price range, so you won’t have to break your budget to get them. 

Think About Safety

As we’ve mentioned before, safety is crucial when it comes to purchasing the right electrical supplies. This factor is also a great way to determine the quality of the product. 

As useful as electrical equipment is, it can also lead to hazardous situations if handled incorrectly. Some situations can even lead to fatal accidents. 

Every business owner wants to maintain their employee’s well-being, so investing in safe electrical products is important. 

You can consult a professional for more information about the safety of electrical equipment and appliances. Additionally, any tools you purchase should comply with safety guidelines. 

Make sure to check this safety assurance on the packaging of the electronics. This guarantees that the products have been rigorously tested to ensure their safety for use. 

Look For Brand New Electrical Supplies

Make sure that you don’t compromise on the quality of electrical supplies and appliances by choosing second-hand products. 

While using these items can help you save on initial costs, they don’t always guarantee your safety. 

In most situations, the electrical equipment’s safety level has already deteriorated, and it wouldn’t offer the same quality of service as a newer one.

Additionally, these products could have a shorter lifespan than newer ones. You don’t want to go through the hassle of frequently replacing these products. 

Still, if you want to purchase used supplies, thoroughly check if it's in good condition and works properly. For more assurance, you can let a professional test the product before purchasing it. 

If you want to buy used electrical supplies, getting them from a reputable brand or manufacturer is also best. 

These companies will offer better warranties and support for their supplies, including second-hand ones. Despite all these factors, used electrical supplies will not give the same durability as new options. 

Look For Sustainable Products

People are gradually moving towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly electrical products. 

Nowadays, several appliances and equipment use energy more efficiently to become sustainable. These products also use less plastic, are easy to recycle and are organic. 

With these appliances, you don’t have to worry about compromising on quality. In some cases, sustainable electrical performs better than traditional electrical supplies. 

Environmentally friendly electrical supplies also come with good warranty and service for a better all-around product. 

Business spaces often have high emissions, so a great way to cut back on them is through sustainable electrical supplies. Many such products have a lower power consumption. 

When you’re about to purchase an item, check its energy consumption to ensure you have a sustainable product. You can also switch to sustainable energy to become a green business space. 

Take Measurements

For some electrical supplies, it’s crucial that you take measurements to avoid any future problems. 

For example, if you plan on installing a new radiator unit, plan where you want to place it and take measurements. This will allow you to strategically place the appliance without ruining your space. 

Make sure to get an accurate reading on your measurement and avoid any estimates. For wiring, it’s better to purchase something longer than your actual measurement to stay on the safe side. 

Now that you know how to look for the right electrical supplies, let’s take a look at some of the most important products for your business.

Office Lighting

So let’s talk about office lighting. One of the most important electrical products in your business space is lighting. 

Office lighting is an important factor that keeps your workplace operating smoothly. These fixtures are a great way to improve employees' performance and update the aesthetic of your space. 

Poor lighting will decrease work quality and worsen the overall mood of your employees. Nowadays, installing lighting that is not too heavy on your utility bills is also important. T

To combat this issue, LED office lighting is an excellent solution. These lights are highly energy efficient, providing unparalleled illumination while taking a small amount of energy. 

Office lighting is a significant factor in office ergonomics which refers to the way people interact and perform at the workplace. 

In bright, high-quality lighting, employees are able to concentrate better on their tasks, whereas poor lighting can cause tiredness, headaches, and even cause strain on their eyesight. 

Frequent health risks associated with dim lighting can result in lower employee satisfaction and poor work output.

On the other hand, excellent lighting design tends to boost the mood and therefore increase employee satisfaction. While most workplace owners prefer using only artificial lighting, you should also use as much natural light as possible. 

You must have a combination of various lighting sources, colour temperatures, and illumination to meet every employee's lighting needs. Different types of lighting affect your employees’ moods, physical health and circadian rhythms. 

Switch To Energy Efficient Office Lighting

When it comes to choosing the best office light fixtures, nothing can beat LED lights. As we’ve mentioned before, lighting is an important part of the office space. 

Most businesses operate 8 hours a day, five times a week. So, you need to implement energy efficient light sources to cut down energy costs. 

In today’s changing environment, traditional office lighting is not sustainable. LED luminaries are far more efficient than any other light product on the market. This lighting solution uses 90% less energy than an incandescent or halogen light bulb of similar brightness. 

LED lamps are also far more efficient than CFL luminaries. A well-built LED light bulb can last 25 times longer than any other light bulb. 

When it comes to office lighting, LEDs still perform better than fluorescent light bulbs. Average LED office lighting provides high-quality illumination that improves productivity and also helps business owners save on energy costs.

Here are some more great benefits of LED Lighting

Improved Productivity

Interior design and surroundings greatly impact people in any setting and location. Office spaces also similarly affect employees as they spend a significant portion of their lives in one location. 

It is important to keep your employees motivated, stimulated and driven during work hours. One of the best ways to foster creativity and productivity in the workplace is by implementing better lighting fixtures. 

LED office lighting is a great way to implement better lighting solutions that also help your team members in the long run.

Fewer Health Risks

You can ensure the good health of your employees by implementing LED office lighting. 

Some traditional lamps are prone to flickering, which can have serious effects on your employees' health. Flickering lamps can induce headaches, migraines, and other adverse effects. 

Poor or dimly lit spaces can also lead to eye strain and other similar issues. High-quality LEDs do not flicker and provide illumination similar to natural lighting. 

What Are The Different Types Of Lighting You Can Use In Offices?

LED Flat Panel Light Fixtures

While you can install regular LED lamps throughout your office for efficient lighting, various types of LED office lighting are designed to illuminate workspaces. 

One example of such lighting includes LED flat panel light fixtures. This overhead lighting solution makes your space brighter and more functional for office employees.

LED flat panel lights are a high-performing option for workspaces. 

These lights use traditional-style lighting fixture that is installed behind ceiling panels to provide light for the entire office space while keeping the light fixture component out of sight. 

There are two different types of flat panel LED lighting. These include:

• Back-Lit Panels: In this light fixture, the LEDs are positioned behind the frame, making it easier for them to shine through a diffuser. Back-lit panels are less expensive than the other option, making them the popular choice for LED office lighting. 
• Edge-Lit Panels: These luminaries have a thinner shape, and the LEDs are positioned on the edge of the frame. These LED flat panels are slightly more costly than their other counterparts and consume more power than other LED office lighting. 

With these configurations in mind, choosing a light solution that will provide uniform lighting at an economical cost is best. 

Suspended LED Office Lighting

While flat panels are great for providing general lighting, some office spaces might require a more nuanced light fixture. 

You can install efficient lighting through suspended office light fixtures in these instances. 

Linear suspended LED office lights provide high-quality efficient lighting that is not too bright but also provides sufficient light output. 

These fixtures are easy to install and maintain, and there are several styles you can choose from to fit your office interior design. 

Office Heating

Heating is another important component that either makes or breaks your office’s environment. While most businesses prefer using a central heating system, there are also more efficient methods. 

One of the best ways to heat your office includes oil filled radiators. Let’s take a closer look at this heating system. 

Oil Filled Radiators

Gone are the days of clunky heater models that take up too much space without providing good heat. These modern heating systems are highly efficient and provide an excellent heat output. 

Oil filled radiators are perfect for smaller to medium-sized business spaces. 

For larger offices with an open area, you can add multiple units for lasting heat. The reason why these heaters are so efficient is due to their heating process and design. Here’s how oil filled radiators work. 

Unlike traditional radiator models, the heat-up process in oil filled units avoids energy waste. Oil filled radiators are designed to make the best use of your electricity by producing an excellent heat output that lasts a long time. 

Every single component in an oil filled radiator works to maximise its ability. Modern oil filled radiators are equipped with metal columns that contain cavities. These cavities are important as they allow heat to transfer freely around the heating unit.

An oil-filled radiator uses electrical energy to heat the reservoir of thermic liquid/oil inside the radiator's body. This electrical heating element is fully submerged within the thermic liquid/oil, which allows the component to generate heat efficiently. 

The heating component in an oil filled electric radiator looks like a coil of metal protected wire, and this component is inserted into the base of the radiator model. 

When the radiator is supplied with an electrical charge, the electrons join together and move down the narrow length of the wire element. This process creates friction and heat as the electrons move along the wire. 

When the wire heats the oil, this emission is transferred to the radiator body, which heats up the room through convection. 

Convection is also important for evenly transferring heat. If you have a large open space in your office, you can quickly heat this space up with an oil filled radiator. 

These heating systems come in a variety of wattages to fit any kind of space. But even with a higher heat output, you can cut down your energy costs. For example, even if you get two 1000W oil filled radiators, you’ll still be able to enjoy energy savings. 

Smart Sockets And Extensions Cords

Smart products are becoming increasingly popular in homes because they are highly convenient and efficient. 

You can bring this same efficiency to your office space to increase productivity. Smart sockets and extension cords are a great way to modernise a business space while increasing the efficiency of your electrical devices. 

Smart sockets are a simple way to automate your business’ wired devices. To set up smart sockets, you must plug the socket into an outlet and then connect it to your WiFi network. 

Every package of smart sockets comes with instructions on connecting your socket to the WiFi and integrating it with an app on your mobile phone or tablet. 

After you connect your device, you plug a wired appliance such as a fan or a lamp into your smart sockets, and you’ll have full control over them on your phone. You can control these devices wherever you go. 

Make Your Business Smart

The main idea behind smart sockets is that they turn your “dumb” devices into smart devices. With smart sockets, you don’t have to worry about complicated wiring and installation to create “smart” appliances. 

You also don’t need to speed a lot of money replacing your old “dumb” devices with new smart devices, as one smart plug can transform multiple appliances into smart products. 

Smart sockets serve a different function than smart switches. While a smart switch automates your lighting system, smart sockets are a great way to automate other electrical appliances in your office. 

Smart sockets are also not permanent fixtures like smart switches. The sockets act as a plug you can integrate your devices. Due to this function, smart sockets are also sometimes called smart plugs. 

If you have a smart assistant device, you can integrate your smart plug and use voice activation to control your appliances. 

Smart plugs are usually sold as individuals, but you can also find smart plug power strips so you can plug in multiple devices. 

You can also find surge-protected smart extension cords to plug multiple devices at the same time. 

This type of extension cord offers effective protection again power surges and other hazards, so you can enjoy your devices without hurting yourself. With these smart devices, you can easily create a modern space for your employees that aids in work productivity. 

Find Your Next Electrical Supplier At Meteor

If you’re looking for a place that sells all these electrical supplies and more, visit Meteor Electrical. 

Meteor is built on years of industry experience to give consumers the best products possible. From efficient lighting to high-quality heating, meteor carries everything you need to create the perfect office space. 

With our fast delivery service and shipping, you can enjoy your products in no time. So visit Meteor for business’ electrical supply needs.