what is a retrofit led light

Retrofitting is the process of adding new technology to existing technology in order to make the two systems function appropriately. In terms of LED lighting, this means converting lighting fixtures which could only support older bulbs such as CFLs

or metal halides.

Full Answer

What are retrofit light bulbs?

Retrofit bulbs, also called lamps , are designed in such a way as to mimic the shape of an incandescent bulb in order to pair the LED bulb with a socket meant for the latter. Nevertheless, the bulb's shape is disadvantageous to how LEDs actually work.

How long do retrofit LED lights last?

20,000 to 50,000 hoursDepending on the product used, the actual lifespan of an LED fixture can range from 20,000 to 50,000 hours of usage.

Do I need an LED retrofit kit?

Why do you need a retrofit LED kit? Converting old light fixtures or upgrading to LED light bulbs will not only reduce energy costs, but also provide more options such as sensors and lighting controls which help improve the safety and security around your industrial, commercial, or residential property.

What does retrofit mean in recessed lighting?

In general, retrofit is the process of adding a new component or accessory to an existing item. In the case of recessed downlighting, retrofit specifically refers to upgrading the lamp source, usually to a newer technology like LED, while retaining the existing above-ceiling fixture and lighting layout.

Why don t LED bulbs last as long as they say?

Unlike incandescent light bulbs, LEDs don't produce light using heat. This is part of what makes them so energy efficient. The downside is that their components can be sensitive to overheating, which can cause them to burn out prematurely.

Can I leave my LED lights on all night?

To put it simply, well-manufactured LED lights are extremely long-lasting and can be left on 24 hours, 7 days a week. This is because, unlike conventional types of light, LEDs produce minimal amounts of heat, which means they are unlikely to overheat or set on fire.

Can you put a LED bulb in a regular fixture?

As long as the mounting base (socket) is the same size and type, you can use an LED bulb in an existing fixture. If the mounting base isn't the same size and type, the LED bulb will not fit the socket. You should never use a bulb with a higher wattage than what is recommended for the fixture.

What is retrofit kit?

In general, a retrofit is the process of adding new technology or features to an existing system. Specifically, a fluorescent retrofit kit is a bundled set of hardware that is designed to increase the efficiency and performance of an existing fluorescent fixture.

How do you install retrofit LED can lights?

2:344:30How to Choose and Install Retrofit LED Recessed Lighting | Easy DIYYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRecessed. Light just grab the trim. And pull it down a bit some trims are held together by the sameMoreRecessed. Light just grab the trim. And pull it down a bit some trims are held together by the same torsion springs on each side.

How do you change a retrofit light bulb?

0:372:30Changing Recessed Light Bulbs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I'll do is grab the edges of the cover and pull straight down until it is out of the opening.MoreWhat I'll do is grab the edges of the cover and pull straight down until it is out of the opening. With the trim cover off I can remove the bad bulb by twisting counterclockwise.

What is the difference between can lights and recessed lights?

Canned lights are a type of recessed lights. They get their name from the fixture that sits within the ceiling, which is a cylinder, almost like a metal can. This can is essentially the holder for a light bulb, instead of having a lower-hanging pendant that you would install the bulb into.

How do you change a LED bulb in a recessed ceiling light?

0:402:06LED Can Light Bulb Replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith power off to the light pull down the can trim exposing the tension Springs detach. The tensionMoreWith power off to the light pull down the can trim exposing the tension Springs detach. The tension Springs by squeezing them together until they disconnect from the recessed.

What is the life expectancy of LED lights?

LED bulbs afford in the region of 50,000 hours of light, with some brands boasting as many as 100,000 hours. In general, terms, if you use your lights for 10 hours each day, LEDs should serve you well for just shy of 14 years.

How long do integrated LED fixtures last?

around 50000 hoursLED-integrated light fixtures can easily last around 50000 hours when in use for several hours a day. Though many homeowners can feel overwhelmed with the upfront cost of integrated LEDs, they are worth the investment and offer better ROI in the long run.

How often do LED lights need to be replaced?

Most LED bulbs boast a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, which means that you may not have to splash out on LED replacement bulbs for up to 10 years after your original purchase. Incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs will probably only last for 1000 - 2000 hours, compared to up to 100,000 hours for dimmable LEDs.

Are integrated LED lights worth it?

The U.S. Department of Energy cites 72% to 80% savings with LED lights compared to other options. LED lights last up to 25 times longer than a traditional bulb. Whether you replace one light in a home or design a home completely with LED light fixtures, you can experience tremendous energy savings.

What is LED Retrofit?

Retrofitting your facility means that you’re adding something new (such as a technology, component, or accessory) that the building didn’t previously have or that wasn’t a part of the original construction. The term “retrofit” is very much a synonym with the term “conversion.” In the case of lighting, most retrofits that are happening today are LED lighting retrofits.

Why LED Lighting Retrofits?

LED lights are replacing traditional lighting technology across a wide spectrum of lighting applications. They are useful for interior lighting, exterior lighting, and small lighting in mechanical applications.

What Are The Main Considerations During An LED Retrofit?

LEDs work a little differently than most traditional lighting solutions. A few things you’ll need to know when retrofitting your facilities with LEDs include the following:

Do you need a dimmer for LED lights?

The hardware for dimming LED lights is generally not compatible with traditional lighting solutions. You will need LED dimmers to go along with the new bulbs.

Can you replace LED lights with standard fixtures?

If you’re replacing both the light and the fixture (housing) then you’ll be able to choose from everything on the market. In either case, most LEDs are made to be compatible with standard fixtures. The hardware for dimming LED lights is generally not compatible with traditional lighting solutions.

What is lighting retrofit?

Simply put, retrofitting lighting is a refurbishment of old bulbs and/or lighting, which can improve lighting output and light temperature, save energy and emit less heat.

What is LED retrofit kits?

The retrofit kit is an overall system that makes it feasible for people to install LED lighting easily and quickly. Usually, the retrofit kit includes fasteners, screws, wires, sockets and brackets, and the installation of all items is very quick and convenient.

Do I have to replace the entire ballast outfit when retrofit?

If the old lights in the parking lot, factory or warehouse have been in use for more than 5 years, then it’s time to replace the lights.

What is 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.

Can you replace a ballast with an LED?

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.

Can you retrofit a light 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.

What is retrofit LED lighting?

You’ll often hear the phrase “commercial LED lighting retrofit” used to describe solutions for replacement of your existing lighting system with LEDs. It’s kind of odd that the word begins with “retro”, since that prefix usually raises images of the past (think mullets and leisure suits) instead of the forward-thinking technology that LEDs offer. Be that as it may, retrofit has become the accepted term for upgrading your older lighting to newer, more energy-efficient LED equipment.

What is wall pack lighting?

Commercial buildings often have “wall pack lighting”, the fixtures mounted on the outside walls that provide both security for the building and pathway lighting employees or customers. Wall pack lighting can also be used for aesthetic purposes by illuminating the outside of your building.

Is LED lighting a one off?

It’s always best to take a whole-building approach to energy efficiency instead of treating each separate measure – such as a commercial LED lighting retrofit – as a “one-off”. There are several reasons for this, including the coordination among your building’s energy systems (i.e., installing low-heat LEDs may impact your air conditioning needs) and more attractive rebates offered by utilities or government entities for bundling energy efficiency measures to maximize energy savings.

Can you use existing fixtures?

If you can’t use your existing fixtures for any reason, or if you’re altering your building’s lighting plan by changing their location, you may need to install new LED fixtures. This is going to be a more expensive option, but may result in greater long-term savings because fixtures specifically designed for LEDs will operate more effectively than a retrofitted fluorescent fixture.

Is a commercial LED light retrofit green?

A commercial LED lighting retrofit is a key part of a green energy solution for any business. It’s easy to do and can yield big savings.Taper provides a whole host of energy and water efficiency solutions but our crown jewel is offering LED lighting retrofit solutions. If you’re interested, one of our efficiency experts can get you started in brightening up your business – and your bottom line – with LEDs.

Can LED lights be retrofitted?

They’ll also last three to four times longer than most HIDs. As with interior lighting, some LED lamps can be retrofitted into existing fixtures in parking areas, saving the cost of installing new fixtures . A commercial LED lighting retrofit is a key part of a green energy solution for any business.

Is LED retrofit a sustainability strategy?

Ideally, then, a commercial LED retrofit is one part of a sustainability strategy for your business. However, not every business owner may be in a financial position right now to undertake a complete energy makeover. In that case, doing a commercial LED retrofit as a stand-alone energy-saving measure immediately is better than waiting ...

Why are LED lights retrofitted?

Because LED lights use only a fraction of the energy consumed by traditional filament and fluorescent bulbs, LED retrofit kits are a smart way to cut total energy costs to your business or facility.

When replacing a traditional light fixture with an LED retrofit kit, do you need to replace all components?

When replacing a traditional light fixture with an LED retrofit kit, you may need to replace some or all of the components included in the fixture.

What is TCP lighting?

Or, if you know you need a custom and comprehensive lighting solution for your lighting upgrade, consider Pro by TCP, an end-to-end lighting solution designed exclusively to serve businesses interested upgrading their lighting .

Why do you need a kit for LED lighting?

Because LED lighting is lighter, thinner, integrated, and puts out less heat than a traditional fixture—like our troffer— it can require a kit to correctly refit the older fixture.

What is a drop ceiling light called?

In offices, lighting fixtures are often made to fit in drop ceiling layouts. These fixtures, sometimes called “troffers” because they look like an overturned troff with a light in the center, are the most common.

What is integrated LED lighting?

Unlike traditional lighting fixtures, LED lighting fixtures are often “integrated”, meaning they are all one piece, with the light, the fixture, and the driver combined. This is possible because of the small size of light emitting diodes, lightweight design, and vastly reduced heat.

Does LED lighting have a CRI?

But that’s not all. LED lighting offers superior CRI, or Color Rendering Index. This means choosing to upgrade for energy efficiency also gets you a visibility upgrade, too!

What is retrofit LED?

Retrofit LED plug-and-play options offer the easiest way to switch to LED technology by allowing you to simply place the plug-in LED options into existing fixtures.

How long does an LED light last?

Entire lighting units may need to be replaced when the LED reaches the end of its lifespan; however, this may be many years in the future, as the lifespan of LEDs is around 10 to 50 times longer than other lighting options.

Why are LED lights so expensive?

LED light fixtures can be expensive if you need to replace the existing lighting infrastructure, as you’ll also incur the additional expense of hiring a qualified electrician to complete installation work.

How much does LED lighting save energy?

Switching from traditional lighting to LED lighting solutions will reduce energy usage by 75% or more .

Why are LED lights good for business?

Unlike many other types of lighting, LEDs produce light in a specific direction, which allows the light to be focused in the desired location without the need for reflectors.#N#This combination of benefits will bring significant energy savings to a business, which will help recoup the costs of switching to LED within a very short period of time.

Can LED retrofits be used with existing fixtures?

There are a huge variety of LED retrofit products available to fit into existing lighting fixtures. This gives you the option to have an energy efficient lighting wand so you can choose from a huge range of fixtures to achieve the desired look you want in regard to. color and wattage.

Do retrofit LED lights need maintenance?

Retrofit LED products have a very long lifespan and need very little maintenance.