Are you considering an LED retrofit for your workplace? Discover how a lighting upgrade at your business can save energy and money while improving productivity and aesthetics. Don’t be left in the dark, here’s everything you need to know about the process of getting an LED retrofit.
What Is an LED Retrofit?
Light-emitting diode (LED) retrofits convert existing fluorescent, compact fluorescent, incandescent, or halogen lighting to LED lighting. Fitting drop-in LED luminaries into legacy fixtures or installing an entirely new LED fixture system can improve the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of lighting in offices, warehouses, factories, and stores.
Why Retrofit Your Space With LEDs?
LEDs provide high-quality ambient and task lighting while reducing energy consumption. They can reduce operating and maintenance costs while improving productivity, safety, and quality of life at your company. Current industry and government incentives are creating opportunities to implement cost-effective retrofitting projects that can boost your bottom line.
Benefits of an LED Retrofit
An LED retrofit can provide several quantifiable and qualitative advantages to your business. Some of them are:
Improved Efficiency and Lower Energy Costs
Installing LED fixtures, luminaries, and lighting controls will improve energy efficiency while reducing your daily energy consumption and costs. These fixtures can be programmed to respond to the amount of daylight in a space or be activated and deactivated as needed by motion sensors.
Reduced Operating and Maintenance Costs
LED bulbs, fixtures, and lamps have at least double the lifespan of traditional lighting options. They have fewer components and require less frequent maintenance than traditional lighting, which translates to lower operating costs for parts and labor.
Improved Lighting Quality
Good lighting can increase productivity, aesthetic appeal, and general quality of life in your workplace. LED bulbs, tubes, and troffer lights can provide bright, quiet, and steady illumination that can improve focus and visual acuity. Quality overhead and task lighting can help prevent mistakes and injuries in work areas, storage areas, loading docks, stairwells, and entryways.
Provides Superior Color Rendering
LEDs typically offer higher-quality color rendering than their fluorescent counterparts. The color rendering index (CRI) measures how well a light source displays colors compared to natural light. The best light sources, which include many LED luminaries, have a CRI of 90 or more. Fluorescent lighting generally rates between 70 and 80 CRI.
Optimizes Color Temperature
LEDs can also be selected or customized to provide light in a range of tones, from warm, reddish-yellow-toned light to cool, bluish-toned light. Color temperatures are measured in degrees Kelvin, ranging from 1500 K to 8000 K. The lower the color temperature, the warmer the light. Many people prefer to work under lighting that mimics natural sunlight, which typically has a color temperature of 5000 K.
What to Consider During an LED Retrofit
Although many LED luminaries work in existing fixtures, finding drop-in replacements in the marketplace may not be possible in all cases. During a retrofit, traditional dimmer switches and lighting controls must be replaced. An expert in installing commercial LED lights can provide an initial consultation of your workplace and lay out the necessary steps for the retrofit.
If the upfront costs of doing an LED retrofit is holding you back, don’t fret. Fortunately, federal, state, and local governments, energy savings companies, utilities, and lighting manufacturers offer rebates and other financial incentives that can cover most costs.
Blue Planet Energy Solutions Will Retrofit Your Lighting
If you’re ready to get started on an LED retrofit, reach out to the experts at Blue Planet Energy Solutions today. Our specialists will be happy provide you a consultation to help you light the way to a better future.