What is Retrofit Lighting?

Retrofit Lighting

In laymen’s terms, retrofit lighting is simply upgrading your existing lighting to a more efficient alternative.  Although, my guess is that you are looking for a more detailed explanation than that, yes?  It is the process of taking your existing lighting and replacing it with a better quality and more energy efficient option.  It can apply to any kind of light bulb, or any kind of application.  Albeit, residential, commercial, hospitality, industrial, warehouse, small, or big, interior and exterior, the bottom line is that where there is a light bulb, there is a way.

Of course, some retrofitting is easier than others.  Nowadays, many styles of LEDs are common place, which makes upgrading affordable and relatively easy.  There are, however, still some kinds of bulbs that LEDs still are not quite equipped to replace.  Let’s look at a few examples of where retrofitting works and what it looks like.

Residential Bulb to Bulb Replacements

Let’s start simple.  Let’s say you are looking to replace an existing light bulb within a decorative fixture.  This is a very easy replacement.  You can keep the existing fixture and replace the bulb, itself.  In order to do so, you would need to know the voltage, size, shape, wattage, and base style to find the best replacement.  Also, this is assuming you are not using a ballast.  To some, knowing those few specifications may be daunting or confusing.  Just call us; we can help within minutes and point you in the right direction!  So, this would be a bulb for bulb replacement, or that’s what we like to call it.  Click here for our LED Replacement Guide.

Commercial Retrofitting Options

Next, let’s explore commercial retrofit lighting.  One of the most common applications or fixtures that you find in a commercial setting are the 2×2 or 2×4 panel lights.  Traditionally, the troffers (rectangular or square light fixtures or the housing) use fluorescent bulbs.  There are many kind of fluorescent bulbs, so in order to start the process, you have to know what you have, to figure out where to go.  Again, if you need any assistance, this is our specialty!  Once you know the wattage, size, shape, and even your own specific goals (reduce energy, longer life, brighter), you can begin to explore which kind of retrofit lighting is best for you. 

Option 1 – Bulb to Bulb

In this scenario, you can opt to simply replace the existing bulb with a new LED.  However, you have to make sure that the LED is compatible with your existing ballast.  LED tubes come in a few different flavors.  Some are designed to be used with the existing ballast; this is often known as “plug and play.”  There is a second category where you MUST remove the ballast.  The third option is a LED tube with a hybrid feature.  The hybrid LED tube will work both with the existing ballast and once the ballast fails (which it will), you can wire it directly to line voltage.  

Option 2 – Retrofit Kit  

A retrofit kit is something that you can use to install within the existing fixture, but you remove the guts of the fixture, essentially, and just use the frame.  So, you would not be using the existing socket but rather you would install a LED Kit within the fixture as a replacement.  In this case, you can use a Magnetic Strip LED to replace the existing tubes, while keeping your fixture.  These are advantageous because the driver is external, which means they are longer lasting, more efficient, and often brighter than the LED tubes.  You would not be using the existing tombstones, but you will be using the old fixture or housing. 

There are advantages to each and prices will vary.  Whichever way you choose, this kind of retrofit lighting is keeping the existing fixture.

Option 3 – Retrofit Fixture

If you happen to have an old fixture, perhaps the plastic has yellowed, or they are just not up to date, you can opt for a retrofit fixture.  In this case, you would eliminate the entire existing fixture and replace it with a new LED Fixture, like a LED panel light.  This requires a little more work and may cost a little bit more, but the reward is greater because you have a completely retrofitted fixture, which means it’s out with the old and in with the new.

LED Replacements for Warehouse Lighting

The same principles can apply to many other LED applications.  Take, for example, warehouse lighting.  Many warehouses currently have high bay lighting fixtures with a High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulb in it.  The wattage of the HID can be anywhere from 250 Watts to 1000 Watts.  Changing to a LED can offer incredible saving in this scenario because they lights are often used at least 12 hours a day, and they are high wattage, which means they are consuming a lot of energy and increasing costs.

Option 1 – Bulb to Bulb

Many customers, maybe even most, will prefer this method of improving the efficiency of their lights.  However, the bulb to bulb replacement option is not necessarily the best option for this kind of lighting.  Because the existing bulb is typically installed base up, we need to look for a LED that will direct the light downward.  Typically, you are trying to illuminate the light below, not the walls on the side.  We want to be as efficient as possible.  So, you would have to find a LED that fits within your fixture, is suited for enclosed fixtures (if that’s the case) and one that directs the light down.  The bulb to bulb replacement can work with some of the lower wattage replacement in high bay fixtures but with a 1000W replacement, the option below is more ideal.  Remember, you will probably still need to by-pass the ballast.

Option 2 – Retrofit Fixture

When you are looking for powerful light, in hard to reach areas, and want it to be hassle free, using a replacement fixture in this care, is just a better option.  By replacing the fixture, you don’t have to worry about fit, size, enclosed or open, removing the guts, etc.  There are many options to choose from, you can select the beam spread that best suits your needs, and since it is a fixture, they are made to be extremely bright, not confined by space, and can replace up to 1000W. 

LED Retrofitting

In review, retrofit lighting is the process of replacing your existing lighting with something better.  It sounds simple and sometimes it is.  But, there are a few different ways to go about doing it, all of which are determined by your specific application and goals.  So, whether you are taking one bulb out and plugging in another one, or using the fixture with a new kit that fits inside, or just getting a whole new set up, the bottom line is that each option will offer incredible saving in energy, money and time.  If you are thoroughly confused about how to get started, please call us today at 856-427-9411.  We are the experts in LED replacements and are confident we can help source the best fitting replacement for your specific needs!