If your commercial building still relies on older fluorescent, HID, metal halide, or other traditional lighting, you may have wondered whether upgrading to LED lighting is actually worth the investment. For many businesses, the answer is yes.
An LED lighting retrofit can improve the appearance of your facility, reduce energy use, lower maintenance needs, and provide more consistent lighting throughout your building or property.
But what exactly is an LED retrofit, and when does it make sense for your business?
What is an LED Lighting Retrofit?
An LED retrofit involves upgrading an existing lighting system to LED technology. Depending on your current fixtures and their condition, this may involve modifying existing fixtures to accept LED components or replacing older fixtures with new LED fixtures. A commercial electrician can evaluate your existing lighting and help determine which option makes the most sense for your facility.
1. Lower Energy Usage
One of the biggest reasons businesses switch to LED lighting is energy efficiency. Older lighting technologies can consume significantly more electricity than modern LED lighting. When you consider the number of fixtures operating throughout an office, warehouse, school, shop, parking lot, or commercial facility, lighting can represent a noticeable portion of your electrical usage. Reducing the amount of electricity required for lighting can help lower operating costs over time.
2. Less Lighting Maintenance
How often does someone at your facility have to replace a lamp or deal with a fixture that's partially working?
For buildings with dozens or hundreds of fixtures, lighting maintenance can become an ongoing task. LED lighting generally lasts longer than many traditional lighting technologies, which means fewer lamp replacements and less routine maintenance. This can be especially valuable for fixtures located in difficult-to-reach areas that require ladders, lifts, or special equipment to access.
3. Better Light Quality
Upgrading your lighting isn't only about saving energy. LED lighting can dramatically change how a commercial space looks and feels. A properly designed LED system can provide brighter, more consistent lighting with fewer dark areas. Better lighting can make a difference in:
Offices
Warehouses
Manufacturing areas
Retail spaces
Schools
Shops
Parking lots
Athletic fields
Exterior building areas
The correct color temperature and fixture placement can also help create a more comfortable and functional environment.
4. Improved Visibility
Good lighting is important for more than appearance. Employees need to be able to clearly see their work areas, walkways, equipment, stairs, loading areas, parking lots, and other parts of your property. Poor or inconsistent lighting can make these areas harder to navigate. Upgrading to properly designed LED lighting can improve visibility throughout both indoor and outdoor commercial spaces.
5. Fewer Burned-Out Lights
We've all seen commercial properties where one parking lot light is out, several warehouse fixtures are flickering, or half of a fixture isn't working. Beyond looking poorly maintained, failed lighting can create dark spots throughout a property. LED lighting can help reduce the frequency of these problems and provide more consistent illumination.
6. LED Lighting Works Well With Controls
Another benefit of LED technology is the ability to pair lighting with modern controls. Depending on your facility, your lighting system may incorporate:
Occupancy sensors
Motion sensors
Photocells
Timers
Dimming controls
Daylight controls
For example, lights in an area that isn't continuously occupied may not need to operate at full brightness all day. Lighting controls can help reduce unnecessary energy use while still providing light when and where it's needed.
7. You May Not Need to Replace Everything
One common misconception is that upgrading to LED means every fixture has to be completely removed and replaced. That's not always the case. Depending on the existing fixtures, their condition, and the type of lighting system, some fixtures may be candidates for an LED retrofit. In other situations, replacing the entire fixture may provide better performance and make more sense long term. Having an electrician evaluate the existing lighting can help determine the best approach.
Where Can Commercial LED Lighting Be Used?
LED lighting can be used throughout nearly every area of a commercial property. Common applications include interior offices, warehouses, production areas, hallways, restrooms, storage areas, exterior building lighting, parking lots, loading docks, signs, athletic fields, and landscape lighting. Businesses don't necessarily have to upgrade everything at once, either. Lighting improvements can often be completed in phases based on your priorities and budget.
Is an LED Retrofit Worth the Investment?
Every building is different. The value of an LED retrofit depends on factors such as how many fixtures you have, how many hours per day they're operating, your current lighting technology, maintenance requirements, and the condition of your existing fixtures. For facilities with older lighting systems or lights that operate for long periods each day, upgrading can be particularly beneficial. A lighting evaluation can help determine where upgrades would make the biggest difference.
Signs It May Be Time to Upgrade Your Lighting
It may be worth considering an LED retrofit if:
You're frequently replacing lamps or ballasts.
Fixtures are flickering or only partially working.
Your building has dark or poorly lit areas.
Your lighting requires frequent maintenance.
You're looking for ways to improve energy efficiency.
Your facility still relies heavily on older lighting technology.
You're remodeling or updating your commercial property.
You don't necessarily need to wait until your existing lighting completely fails before considering an upgrade.
Ready to Take a Look at Your Lighting?
The right lighting can improve the appearance, visibility, efficiency, and functionality of your commercial property. Whether you're interested in upgrading a few problem areas or evaluating the lighting throughout your entire facility, our experienced electricians can help determine the best solution for your property.
Choice Electric provides commercial lighting installation, LED retrofits, lighting maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs throughout the Twin Cities area. Contact us today to discuss your commercial lighting needs and learn whether an LED retrofit is right for your facility.
Serving commercial and industrial customers throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.