What is LED Lighting Retrofit
The phrase ‘retrofit lighting’ refers to the process of upgrading existing lighting, usually by replacing the light bulb, to improve its efficiency and performance.
If a light bulb fails you have three choices:
- Fit an exact replacement – buy the same light bulb again and continue with the performance you previously had. In the trade, this may be referred to as ‘relamping’.
- Fit a retrofit replacement – buy a compatible energy saving light bulb such as an LED and reduce your energy bills.
- Fit a complete new fixture – This may sound a little drastic and is definitely the most expensive option but if you’re thinking of changing the purpose of the room or committing to its current usage then new fixtures may make more long-term practical and financial sense.
Your situation will determine which option is the most suitable. In the majority of cases, especially in residential property, it’s worth going for an LED retrofit replacement light bulb.
Benefits of LED retrofit light bulbs
- Reduced energy bills – LED bulbs use 80% less energy than incandescent and halogen bulbs.
- Opens up choice – LED bulbs are available in a range of colour temperatures from very warm white through to a stark blue daylight. Incandescent and halogen can only produce a warm white colour. In outdoor lighting such as streetlights or floodlights, LED produces a better quality of light.
- Less maintenance – LED bulbs are long lasting and can last 10x longer than an incandescent or halogen. This means fewer failures and less time replacing bulbs.
However while this sounds like a no brainer there are a couple of factors you need to consider.
LED bulbs still cost more than incandescent or halogen but in most cases we are only talking a couple of pounds. The return on investment in LED is usually less than 2 years comparing the additional cost of an LED bulb against the savings in energy but this does depend on certain parameters such as the environment it is in and the switching cycle.
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Use of LED Lighting in the Retail Sector
Shop windows
Window displays are what attract shoppers into a store in the first place and what can make them spend extra cash once they’re inside. LEDs work well with window displays as they can be angled to highlight very specific areas, drawing shoppers’ eyes to certain products. This effect can’t be achieved with CFLs or incandescent bulbs and although it’s possible with halogen bulbs, these bulbs emit far more heat than LEDs which can cause a problem with food displays or can increase the risk of fire with other displays, such as clothing. Downlights can focus light into specific areas and are movable which makes them highly versatile for use in different displays. They can also be used within the store as accent lighting for displays.
Shop floor
A shop’s branding will play a large part in the style of bulbs used. For retro style lighting, a shop merchandiser may choose funky factory pendant lights fitted with round LEDs or even just bare LED tubes suspended from the ceiling by chains. Many LED tubes provide an exact replacement to fluorescent tubes so you won’t need to update your light fitting. A standard fluorescent T8 tube may only cost a couple of pounds but they use much more energy to run and last on average for just 15,000 hours.
Display cabinets
LEDs offer excellent colour rendering and reduced glare, making them ideal for display cabinets where the glare from glass could distract or dazzle shoppers. LED lights are ideal for highlighting products up close in displays, such as jewellery. Another option for use in display cases which are particularly small or an unusual size or shape are LED ribbon strips which can be cut to size and have an adhesive backing. The added bonus of LED strips is that they come with minimum wiring so won’t clutter up a display cabinet with wires and fittings. For more information on Commercial LED Lighting Retrofit checkout our videos
