Introduction
Whenever the lighting in your commercial building needs updating, it may be time to choose LEDs. Replacing fixtures with LEDs might seem complicated. However, LED retrofit lighting is the most convenient way to update your outdated fluorescent lights because you typically don’t have to remove the old fixtures. Keep reading this comprehensive guide to learn more about the benefits of retrofit light kits and the different types of LED lighting available.
What Are LED Retrofit Light Kits?
Commercial LED retrofit light kits replace fluorescent light fixtures and metal halides with LEDs without removing the existing fixtures. The kits come with all the supplies needed to complete the installment, and each will vary based on the fixture type. Various CCTs, lumens, sizes, and color options are available for various lighting fixtures. Retrofitting is a cost-friendly alternative because most of the time you can use the existing fixture. The retrofit installation process is also quicker than other installations since you are keeping the same wiring and not replacing an entire fixture.
You will keep some of the existing fixtures in the retrofit, but you may be required to remove some. Removal usually entails the tube, bulb, or ballast. A ballast regulates the electrical current in fluorescent lights. Ballasts are unnecessary for retrofit lights. LEDs use a driver instead. These drivers also have a longer life span, leading to fewer replacements. A disadvantage people worry about with ballast removal is safety concerns and electrical shocks. However, this is why we recommend consulting an electrician to handle advanced removals.
Products such as recessed downlights and troffer lights don’t typically require bypassing the ballast. Each retrofit kit below explains if a ballast bypass or any other removal is required before installation.
Types of Commercial LED Retrofit Kits
The retrofit lighting solutions below come as kits, meaning they have all the supplies needed to complete the installation.
High Bays
High bay retrofit lights are suitable for spaces with higher ceilings, specifically areas of at least 20 feet tall. High bay retrofit lights replace metal halide fixtures and are ideal for lighting bigger areas, including warehouses, gyms, supercenters, and factories. These kits usually include the LED light array connected to a heat sink, LED driver, and a screw base. Verify the existing bulb, ballast, capacitor, and ignitor have been removed prior to installing. Corn bulbs can also be used to retrofit metal halide high bay fixtures in certain lower wattage installements
Fluorescent Tube Replacements
Linear strip light fixtures are a great retrofit solution for overhead lighting in industrial kitchens or retail spaces. Specific tube replacements are rated for wet environments, so you can place them near sinks or outside. These kits usually include the strip light fixture, mounting brackets, and safety cables. For safety, make sure the existing lamp and ballast cover and socket have been removed before starting the installment.
Magnetic Strip Kits
The LED magnetic strip kits fit directly into troffer lights and replace fluorescent T8 tubes. A ballast bypass is required for the installation. These kits include the strip and the driver. These magnetic strips are great for lighting schools, doctors' offices, and workspaces.
Recessed Downlights
Retrofit recessed downlights fit easily into incandescent or HID can housing as long as you select a product with the same can size as the one being replaced. Recessed downlights provide overhead lighting for offices, restaurants, shops, and more. These kits usually include the downlight, a screw base adapter, and connectors. Remove the existing bulb before installing the new downlight.
Can Light Conversion Kits
Can light conversion kits can be utilized when retrofitting new downlights into smaller, existing can housing. They help you convert downlight fixtures to LEDs without installing a new fixture entirely. For example, a ‘4” conversion kit for a 7” downlight’ allows you to install a 7 in. downlight into 4 in. housing. Attaching the new wires and other hardware allows you to install the new LED fixture and improve the lighting. Most kits contain a base adapter and wiring.
Corn Bulbs
Corn bulbs are designed to fit into outdated fixtures such as parking lot shoe boxes, high bays, low bays, and wall packs. They replace incandescent or metal halide bulbs. You can use these indoor and outdoor lights to help light warehouses, parking lots, and the walls alongside your building. Prior to installation, you must remove the existing bulb and bypass the ballast, capacitor, and ignitor.
For other replacements and ideas on how to upgrade your lighting, visit our blog!
Benefits of Retrofit Kits
There are multiple benefits to adding retrofit lighting to your commercial space, including:
- Easy Installations: Since no fixture removal is required, the installation process is usually straightforward, with limited supplies. However, for more advanced installations you should always contact a professional electrician to complete the installment.
- Energy-Efficient: LEDs produce significantly less heat than outdated bulbs, meaning they convert most of the energy into actual light output. Outdated bulbs waste energy and release large amounts of heat.
- Fewer Costs: LEDs last longer than fluorescent and HID bulbs, leading to fewer replacement costs over time, making it more cost-effective to light your office or warehouse.
- Light Quality: Adding LED retrofit lighting to outdated fixtures will improve light output quality. LED bulbs feature similar or greater lumens than fluorescent bulbs at a much lower wattage.
What to Consider When Choosing the Right LED Retrofit Kit
Various factors affect which LED retrofit light kit is appropriate for updating your lighting. The most important factor to consider is the type of fixture of the existing light. You must make sure the retrofit light is a direct replacement with the exact same light output. The image below shows how to compare magnetic retrofit kits and strip light retrofit kits to the fluorescent tubes.
We recommend considering the following steps when choosing your retrofit kit.
- Verify the type and size of the old light fixture and ensure that the retrofit LED light is compatible.
- Determine how bright you want the light. Consider the appropriate lighting level for the space you are updating lighting in. LEDs have a significantly lower wattage than outdated bulbs, so if you want a light similar to the existing fixture, we recommend comparing actual lumen output instead of wattages. You can also compare the ‘wattage equivalent’ online to match the wattage of the existing light.
- Decide your desired CCT for the space. We offer various white color options, such as warm white, cool white, and natural white. Specific products also come with a ‘selectable CCT’ option that allows you to adjust the CCT of the light. Offices, warehouses, retail stores, and other commercial spaces usually feature lights with a cool CCT since it makes everything more crisp and makes you more alert. Dimmable light options are available for certain products.
Safety Certifications and Compliance
Commercial LED retrofit lighting should comply with all legal requirements and certifications. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL), and/or DesignLights Consortium (DLC) have certified all of our retrofit LED light products. The certifications indicate that experts have tested the products and consider them safe to install in your business location. Each product lists the organization certified under the ‘Overview’ section.
Get Started
Get started now by choosing the correct lighting fixture above to update the lighting in your business. For any product questions or help with your order, contact us at 888-249-8166 or by email.
