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Lighting Retrofits: Upgrade Your Business to be More Energy Efficient

For Professionals - by Bryan Veldboom - updated on 8/24/2022

retrofit lighting in a gymnasium

Light bulbs are one of those business expenses you rarely think about. So long as they go on in the morning and switch off at night, many people don't give them a second thought. Inefficient bulbs can end up costing you a lot more than you think though. If you own or operate a business, you can cut your lighting costs significantly with an LED retrofit from Batteries Plus.

What is a Lighting Retrofit?

Retrofitting refers to the process of converting the lighting in your facility to accept more energy-efficient light bulbs. You might be asking, "Why can't I simply buy a different set of light bulbs?" The reason for this lies in your system's luminaires. A luminaire is a term that refers to the complete lighting apparatus, including the lamps and ballasts, along with all of the parts that distribute light, position the lamps and connect them to your facility's power supply.

Older luminaires were designed specifically to work with fluorescents and other older bulbs, so they don't work properly with more energy-efficient light bulb types. Plugging an LED bulb into old luminaires will reduce the light's output and shorten the lamp's expected life. It can also cause potential damage to the ballast as well. That's why it's necessary to replace old luminaires with new ones engineered to work with LED bulbs.

Why Should I Switch to LED lighting?

LED light bulbs are the longest-lasting, brightest and most energy-efficient light bulbs on the market today. They also have a lifespan of up to ten years, which helps save you maintenance time as well as money, freeing you up to spend more time running your business. But how much do you really stand to save? Let's break down the energy difference for some of the most common bulbs used in business facilities.

LED T8

These lights are rated up to 50,000 hours with up to 64% energy savings versus fluorescents. That translates to up to $100 in savings over the lifetime of the bulb. Plus, they contain no mercury and are both bypass and ballast compatible.

LED Pin Based

Rated up to 50,000 hours with 50% energy savings over Pin CFL bulbs.

LED HID Lamps

Rated up to 50,000 hours. These LED replacements offer up to 86% energy savings versus traditional HID lamps.

LED Can Lights

Rated up to 35,000 hours. These energy-efficient can lights contain no mercury and turn on instantly with no warm-up time.

LED Panels

Rated up to 50,000 hours. Lasts twice as long as fluorescent panels and offers 60% energy savings. They're also lightweight and easy to install in standard drop ceilings.

LED Downlights

Rated up to 50,000 hours. Offers an 85% savings versus an existing incandescent. Downlights are perfect for retrofitting existing 4" and 6" recessed cans. Slim downlights provide even light distribution, can be color temperature selectable and have spring clips that allow easy installation in standard drop/drywall ceilings.

Convinced yet? Just wait, there's more. All of our LED lamps carry a 5-year warranty, so you can be confident you're getting the best possible bulbs.

Are There Utility Incentives for Updating Your Lighting?

Many states and utility companies offer rebates or other incentives just for switching to energy-efficient lighting. Batteries Plus can help you navigate this process from start to finish, assisting with paperwork and helping to maximize your savings.

Trust Batteries Plus for Your Lighting Retrofit

Partnering with Batteries Plus doesn't just save you money, it also saves you time. We are experts in our field, with thirty years of experience behind us. If you're interested in lighting your school, office or other facility more efficiently, our commercial sales team can help. We can point you towards the best solution for your needs and help you maximize local product and energy rebates. We also offer full lighting design to help you customize the best lighting scheme for every area of your facility.

Sign up for a free business account   today and a representative will reach out to you to discuss your needs. As a commercial account holder, you'll ensure that you get the best pricing on this project as well as access to our full selection of power and lighting products.

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