LED Lighting Technology is Always Evolving

When LED lighting first became prominent, retrofits were often limited to very costly new fixtures. While lighting energy savings were substantial, costs were significant, warranties were limited, and the return on investment for converting to LED lighting was often in the 3–4-year range.

Fast forward to today, and modern LED retrofits are not only more cost efficient but also foster greater results than ever before. The key for facility managers is to look to maximize all of the benefits of converting to LED while simultaneously fitting these impactful projects into the CapEx budgets accordingly.

Grow your knowledge: Learn everything that goes into a commercial LED lighting retrofit program.

Five Difference Makers in the Modern LED Retrofit

  1. Lower Costs — When LED entered the market, fixture replacements were the lone option and newer technologies carried sky-high prices. Now, pricing is competitive and ROIs can achieve the 12–24-month range — not the 3-4 year range of yesteryear.
  2. Ballast Elimination — Original LED technologies required old ballasts to be replaced with LED drivers — just a fancier “LED version” of ballasts. In this manner, LED still had two failure points: the lamps and the drivers. Now, LED direct-wire lamps allow for ballast elimination, creating more dynamic energy and maintenance savings.
  3. Game-Changing Warranties — When LED debuted, it was common to see 3-year warranties with the occasional 5-year warranty. Now, leading LED manufacturers offer 7-, 8-, and even 10-year warranties — creating a more prominent long-term investment when converting to LED.
  4. Stronger Energy Savings — For typical ceiling fixtures found in offices, retail stores, and storage spaces, original LED lamps were 16–20 watts apiece, meaning conversion to LED offered approximately 30–50% savings. Now, direct-wire LED lamps are 8–12 watts apiece, demonstrating 55–75% energy savings across the board.
  5. Multiple LED Options and Flexibility — New LED lighting technologies offer entire fixture replacement, retrofit kits for existing fixture housing, new LED lamps, and multiple ways to retrofit nearly any lighting application. Facility managers can select LED retrofit options that are right for their business aesthetic, budgetary needs, energy savings goals, and the light levels they desire.

While LED retrofit results are more cost efficient, create more energy savings, and produce better ROI than ever before, some of the same best practices still prove true in fostering optimal results. With many lighting manufacturers and many LED install partners available, carefully making key decisions is integral in earning optimal results.

Four Best Practices in Unlocking the Ideal LED Retrofit

  1. Conduct Thorough Lighting Surveys — Paying for in-depth lighting surveys prior to LED work is fundamental, as it ensures accuracy of data, decreased risk of change orders, and maximization of warranties. They will help to ensure that the correct LED retrofit solution is selected for your sites.
  2. Maximize Warranties — With 8- and 10-year warranties available in the modern market, make sure to select specs from reliable manufacturers with strong warranties. In this manner, you aren’t just looking to achieve that sparkling 18-month ROI, but also making sure you have an LED solution for years to come.
  3. Ask for References — With LED being so important, make sure to obtain references from your LED retrofit partner. A good management company should have 500+ LED retrofit project completions on their resume.
  4. Make Sure Projects are Turn-Key — The utopian LED project should include strong surveys, perfect procurement, great project execution, maximization of utility rebates, proper recycling of removed lamps, and a project recap that can demonstrate to your upper management team that the job was very well done.

Implement the Best LED Retrofit Solutions with CLS Facility Services

For more than 50 years, CLS Facility Services has been assisting companies nationwide with turnkey LED retrofits, electrical and lighting maintenance, and more. We’re ready to help you, too. As an aggregator, we handle all aspects of your program on your behalf, ensuring you and your team can focus on more strategic priorities while our team — and our network of proven lighting vendors nationwide — keep all of your locations shining brightly for your customers and employees.

Connect with us today to learn more and to start building your LED retrofit solution.