What is a Commercial LED Retrofit?

Gone are the days of fluorescent lighting, as LED has become more efficient. But for those businesses still using high intensity discharge (HID) lighting in high bays or fluorescent troffers in offices, converting to LED can feel daunting. This is where businesses will look at Commercial LED Retrofits, where LED kits and bulbs can be used to fit into existing fixtures or equipment can be fully replaced.

Switching to LEDs let’s businesses improve their bottom line. The first benefit comes from less energy consumption, as the lights use less energy for power. Indirect savings also come from a longer lifetime, meaning less replacement and labour costs for you. For design firms, showrooms and anywhere light quality is important, the LED bulbs have better Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which means that the lighting is more consistent over time.

When it comes to commercial buildings, there are 2 types of Retrofits facility managers, plant operators and CFOs need to consider.

Replacing Fluorescent Bulbs With LED

When it comes to your home, it’s easy to purchase LED bulbs and twist them into your lighting fixtures. But with an office space, warehouse or plant, many of these fixtures have been created differently. Often, you can find what are called troffers – lighting that looks like it’s a trough turned upside down with lighting in side. The dimensions and wiring aren’t as simple as what’s in your home, so in many cases they can require a LED retrofit kit to change out the old lights and replace with energy efficient bulbs.

These kits are often appealing, as costs are not excessive and it doesn’t require a large investment. However, for large facilities, it may be worthwhile to look into having an energy assessment to see what the best route may be.

Replacing Entire Fixtures with LED

In some cases, it may not be as simple as swapping in a bulb or a kit on an old light fixture. Some lighting systems may have become quite antiquated, or it may be in a company’s best interest to replace the fixture entirely.

When it comes to swapping out the fixture entirely, there are indirect savings a business may not see. The system that is left behind may produce a large amount of heat, causing HVAC systems to work harder in cooling down the area. It’s always recommended to have an energy auditor assess these situations, to ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment.

Changing to LED lighting is a win-win for the business and the environment, but it’s not always clear which way a business should go. If you’re in Calgary or surrounding area, and not sure where to begin simply want to learn more, contact us and we can talk through what what a LED Retrofits can do for your business.