Lighting Trends Contractors Should Watch in 2026

How Mid Georgia Electric Uses LED Lighting to Reduce Energy and Maintenance Costs

Danny DeBose of Mid Georgia Electric joins Neil Peterson on this #podcast episode to discuss how industrial contractors are helping customers reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance costs, and improve lighting performance with LED upgrades. The conversation explores real-world applications in breweries, chip mills, manufacturing plants, and data centers, along with the long-term operational advantages of converting from HID and fluorescent lighting to LEDs. Topics We Cover 00:14 – Introducing Danny DeBose and Mid Georgia Electric 00:59 – Mid Georgia Electric’s focus on industrial, manufacturing, mining, and data center projects 01:29 – Why LED lighting helps reduce cooling loads in data centers and office spaces 03:33 – Brewery lighting upgrades and calculating ROI for LED retrofits 04:10 – Maintenance savings from eliminating HID ballasts and lamp replacements 05:26 – Why LED conversions often deliver a three-year or less payback period 06:08 – Long-term LED reliability and fixture performance in industrial environments 07:08 – How HVLS fans help manage heat in industrial facilities 07:29 – High-output LED fixtures, lumen efficiency, and reduced amp draw 08:58 – Why many industrial projects still prefer 480V lighting systems 09:29 – Explosion-proof lighting and fixture durability in harsh environments 10:20 – Lighting in chip mills and heavy industrial operations 11:40 – Surge protection recommendations for industrial lighting systems 12:17 – Mid Georgia Electric’s service territory across the Southeast and beyond 13:12 – How contractors and industrial facilities can connect with Mid Georgia Electric Links From The Show 🌐 Mid Georgia Electric: https://midgael.com 🔦 Connect with LED Lighting Experts: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/ 📐 Request a Free Lighting Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan If you found this conversation valuable, subscribe to The Project Advantage Podcast and leave us a review. It helps contractors, facility managers, and industrial operators discover practical insights that improve project performance and operational efficiency. Subscribe & Listen Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast/id1813159666 Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/38ae03de-69cd-402d-8d97-20b705fca2a3/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast

How Contractors Can Manage Insurance Compliance

Nyasha Gutsa, representative from Billy for Insurance, joins Neil Peterson to discuss how electrical contractors, subcontractors, and general contractors can better manage insurance compliance on commercial and industrial projects. The conversation covers how proper insurance documentation, from certificates of insurance to endorsements, can directly affect whether your crew gets on site and whether you get paid on time. Topics We Cover 00:13 – Introducing Nyasha Gutsa and Billy for Insurance 01:36 – How Billy helps GCs verify subcontractor insurance compliance 03:06 – Why insurance endorsements matter for electrical contractors 04:06 – Real-world use cases: data centers, sports lighting, and pole installation projects 05:19 – The pre-qualification portal and how subs can apply for work 07:15 – Billy's two service tiers: self-managed software and done-for-you compliance 09:12 – How to turn insurance compliance into a billable project line item Links From The Show 🌐 Billy for Insurance: billyforinsurance.com 💼 Billy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/getbilly/ 🔦 LED Lighting Supply: ledlightingsupply.com 📐 Request a Free Photometric Plan: ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan Have a Question for the Show? If today's episode sparked a question about your next lighting project, whether it's a data center, sports field, or commercial build, send it to tools@ledlightingsupply.com, and we may feature it in a future episode. If you found this conversation valuable, please subscribe to The Project Advantage Podcast and leave us a review. It helps other contractors and project managers find the show and get the resources they need to work smarter on every job. Subscribe & Listen Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast/id1813159666Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/2DQy60dzWboGcdGqQdKYdH Amazon Music — https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/38ae03de-69cd-402d-8d97-20b705fca2a3/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast

Lighting Trends Contractors Should Watch in 2026

What lighting trends should contractors be watching in 2026? In this #podcast episode, Neil Peterson welcomes back David Shiller, Editor of LightNOW, to discuss the biggest shifts shaping the lighting industry, from dark-sky lighting compliance, tariff news, the fluorescent light ban, and broader market forces. Topics We Cover 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to David Shiller, Editor of LightNOW 01:40 – The ongoing phase-out of fluorescent & HID lighting 03:16 – The rise of dark sky lighting & new state-level compliance laws 05:25 – Growth of selectable LED technology (wattage, CCT & optics) 08:35 – Tariffs, pricing shifts & real estate market impact 12:17 – Data centers, LED rebates & how rising electricity costs affect ROI Links From The Show 📰 LightNOW – Industry News & Insightshttps://www.lightnowblog.com/ [https://www.lightnowblog.com/] 💡 LED Lighting Supply – Commercial & Industrial Lightinghttps://www.ledlightingsupply.com/ [https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/] 📩 Get a Custom Lighting Planhttps://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan [https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan] Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at tools@ledlightingsupply.com, and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Subscribe & Review:  iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast/id1813159666 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast/id1813159666]  Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbi1OcWVUMTdJRTR2RlJjQWU5b2huM1VCdERkQXxBQ3Jtc0tuUFd3Zzg4d29uaGpnX1hySXB1ZUpOTjN4NjdIME9FcGdBS21STlVuYlBqWlJPdDFZZWFhOGxxNHVRa1VUdGJPdC1LOUNiU1A5TTVGcGJSek15eE1wXzM5YVRfRkU4c3gteUtYakEwc0VYTEJrcDBWcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fhubs.la%2FQ03FHLlT0&v=6NmFhfh-8wYhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2DQy60dzWboGcdGqQdKYdH [https://open.spotify.com/show/2DQy60dzWboGcdGqQdKYdH]  Amazon:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/38ae03de-69cd-402d-8d97-20b705fca2a3/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/38ae03de-69cd-402d-8d97-20b705fca2a3/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast]

Protecting Contractor Margins With LEDs and Tax Deductions

How can lighting design and modern lighting technology help contractors improve project outcomes, strengthen profitability, and make better long-term financial decisions? In this #podcast episode, we sat down with Mason Brady of Brady CFO to explore how contractors can use lighting design, lighting plans, and upgraded lighting technology to support better pricing, cleaner installs, stronger ROI, and improved customer experience.  We also discuss how energy savings, utility rebates, and incentives like the 179D tax deduction fit into a broader strategy for contractors looking to grow their business with smarter planning and financial insights. Topics We Cover 00:00 – Meet Mason Brady & what Brady CFO does for contractors 02:11 – The biggest financial challenges contractors face today 03:55 – Which contractors benefit from CFO-level financial strategy 07:09 – Why lighting design & lighting plans matter for contractors 10:14 – Modern LED tech: wattage tuning, color changing, flexibility 11:16 – Energy savings, rebates & ROI from LED upgrades 11:58 – Understanding the 179D tax deduction for energy projects 13:24 – How LED upgrades improve safety, experience & long-term value Links & Resources 💡 Brady CFO https://bradycfo.com [https://bradycfo.com] Connect with Mason Brady on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonbrady/] 📩 Get a Lighting Plan with Product Recommendationshttps://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan [https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan] 💡 Learn More About LED Lighting Energy Savingshttps://www.ledlightingsupply.com [https://www.ledlightingsupply.com] Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com, and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Subscribe & Review:  iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast/id1813159666 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast/id1813159666]  Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbi1OcWVUMTdJRTR2RlJjQWU5b2huM1VCdERkQXxBQ3Jtc0tuUFd3Zzg4d29uaGpnX1hySXB1ZUpOTjN4NjdIME9FcGdBS21STlVuYlBqWlJPdDFZZWFhOGxxNHVRa1VUdGJPdC1LOUNiU1A5TTVGcGJSek15eE1wXzM5YVRfRkU4c3gteUtYakEwc0VYTEJrcDBWcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fhubs.la%2FQ03FHLlT0&v=6NmFhfh-8wYhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2DQy60dzWboGcdGqQdKYdH [https://open.spotify.com/show/2DQy60dzWboGcdGqQdKYdH]  Amazon:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/38ae03de-69cd-402d-8d97-20b705fca2a3/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/38ae03de-69cd-402d-8d97-20b705fca2a3/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast]

Commissioning Fundamentals for Contractors

How can an electrical-related or energy-saving project turn the final QA step to be completed faster, more accurately, and with better documentation? In this episode of the Project Advantage Podcast, Cory Peterson sits down with Thomas Jarloev, Founder and CEO of CX Planner, to explain how commissioning is evolving from manual checklists into structured digital QA workflows. They explore how electricians, contractors, and building owners can apply commissioning principles to improve QA processes, system verification, and project handoff across energy-saving and other electrical projects. Topics we cover: 00:00 - Thomas Jarloev & commissioning introduction 08:05 - What electrical projects include as a final QA step 10:50 - Why commissioning impacts system performance long after installation 16:13 - How poor documentation creates issues for owners and facilities teams 19:31 - When spreadsheets stop working for commissioning and QA workflows 23:18 - How digital tools and AI support modern commissioning processes 29:25 - The future of commissioning in lighting, electrical systems, and facility operations Links from the show:  💡CX Plannerhttps://cxplanner.com [https://cxplanner.com] Connect with Thomas Jarloev on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomastoftgaardjarloev/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomastoftgaardjarloev/]  📩 Get Your Custom Lighting Plan with Product Recommendations https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan [https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan]  🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers Quality Control Quality Assurance Commissioning Electrical Commissioning Testing and Commissioning Electrical What is Testing & Commissioning in Electrical installation commissioning and maintenance of electrical equipment Electrical Facility Management Operation and Maintenance