Metal halide lamps have traditionally been used for indoor sports lighting. And sodium vapor lamps have been the go-to lighting option for outdoor floodlights. But both have negative features you want to avoid.
The main drawback of metal halide lamps is they increase the room temperature by producing a large amount of heat. This is especially a problem with indoor sporting events when spectators and athletes expect a cool atmosphere to enjoy their favorite game. This is particularly true with ice hockey rinks, where low temperatures are needed to maintain the sheet of ice properly.
Both metal halide and sodium vapor lamps require a long warm-up time before they reach full brightness. Sodium vapor lamps have the longest run time to full brightness, 7 to 15 minutes!
Sodium vapor lamps also have poor Color Rendering Index (CRI). It’s challenging to distinguish colors with these lamps because the light it produces is monochromatic.
These are just a few of the disadvantages of these aging lighting technologies. It’s time to put these on the bench and draft a recruit to your new sports lighting team.