What Are LED Lighting Retrofit Kits?

LED retrofit kits upgrade existing HID and fluorescent lighting without replacing the entire fixture. Based on our 17 years of experience, these kits represent one of the smartest ways to modernize commercial lighting infrastructure. The retrofit process replaces your fixture's bulb and ballast with modern LED technology, delivering the same performance you'd expect from brand-new LED fixtures while using your existing mounting hardware.

Different Types of LED Retrofit Kits

LED retrofit kit manufacturers produce solutions for virtually every commercial lighting application. We typically recommend these common configurations:

• Metal halide replacements for parking lot and warehouse high bay fixtures
• High-pressure sodium conversions for street lighting and outdoor area applications
• Fluorescent tube replacements for office troffer and strip lighting systems

Mounting options vary based on your specific fixture design. Our team helps match the correct kit size and connection type to your existing infrastructure during the selection process.

Why Choose LED Retrofit Kits Over Traditional Lighting

Commercial facilities switching to our LED retrofit solutions experience significant operational improvements compared to HID and fluorescent systems:

• Energy Efficiency: Most facilities achieve 60-80% energy cost reduction immediately after installation. A typical 400W metal halide replacement uses only 120W LED power while providing better light output.
• Reduced Maintenance: Forget about quarterly bulb changes and ballast failures. Our retrofit kits deliver over 50,000 hours of maintenance-free operation, eliminating costly service calls and replacement parts inventory.
• Nothing to Dispose: Unlike fluorescent and HID bulbs containing mercury, LED components require no special disposal procedures. Standard waste handling applies when units eventually reach end-of-life after decades of service.
• Lighting Controls: Instant response to occupancy sensors and dimming systems maximizes energy savings. We've seen warehouses reduce lighting costs by an additional 30-40% when combining retrofits with smart controls.
• Ready when you are: Full brightness activation occurs immediately upon switching. Cold storage facilities and outdoor applications benefit especially from eliminating the 5-10 minute warm-up delays of metal halide systems.
• Better Quality Lighting: Steady, flicker-free illumination improves worker comfort and productivity. Aging fluorescent systems often create visual fatigue that disappears after LED conversion.
• Voltage Options: Integrated drivers automatically accommodate 100-480V input ranges without additional transformers. This universal compatibility simplifies inventory management and installation planning.
• Life Expectancy: Solid-state LED construction withstands temperature extremes, vibration, and frequent switching cycles that damage traditional lighting. Expect 15-20 years of reliable service in typical commercial environments.
• Multiple Color temperature options: 4000K warm white creates comfortable indoor work environments, while 5000K cool white enhances visibility in precision tasks and security applications.
• Easy Installation: Qualified electricians complete most conversions within 20-30 minutes per fixture. The process uses existing electrical connections and mounting hardware, minimizing disruption to daily operations.

Choosing the Right Wattage and Beam Angle

Selecting appropriate specifications ensures optimal performance after conversion. We typically recommend 120W LED retrofits for 400W metal halide replacements in high bay applications. Parking lot fixtures usually require 45-75W kits depending on pole height and coverage area.

Installation and Compatibility Considerations

Professional installation ensures safety and performance standards. Our retrofit kits work with most existing fixture housings, though we recommend verifying thermal compatibility before ordering large quantities. The integrated drivers handle building voltage automatically, whether your facility operates on 120V, 277V, or 480V systems. Existing photocells and time clocks continue functioning normally after LED conversion.

Cost Savings and ROI Timeline

Most commercial retrofit projects achieve payback within 18-24 months through energy and maintenance savings. A typical warehouse converting 100 metal halide fixtures saves approximately $15,000-20,000 annually in electricity costs alone. Factor in eliminated ballast replacements and potential utility rebates, and total savings often exceed initial investment costs within two years.

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications, including DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals. These certifications ensure safety, performance, and energy efficiency while qualifying your project for utility rebates and tax incentives. DLC Premium certification guarantees the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

5-Year Warranty and Warranty Support

All our lights come with at least a 5-year warranty, and all warranty support is based in the USA. We take customer support seriously, and helping you with a warranty claim is important to us. Our experienced support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues.

LED Retrofit Kits FAQs

Where Does It Make Sense to Use Retrofit Kits?

Retrofit kits work best when existing fixtures are expensive decorative types or when fixture replacement requires costly electrical permits and engineering. I've seen clients save thousands on 400W metal halide conversions in historic fixtures where replacement wasn't feasible. Retrofitting also makes sense for shoebox parking lot fixtures and post-top decorative lights where the housing remains structurally sound.

What are the Best LED Lighting Supply Retrofit Kits?

Kit selection depends on your existing fixture type and current wattage. Our shoebox retrofit kits handle 150W-400W metal halide replacements with Type III or Type V optics. Post-top retrofit bulbs work in decorative fixtures with 120-degree beam angles. Our universal metal halide kits fit most standard mogul-base fixtures.

Do Metal Halide LED retrofit kits work with photocells?

Yes, existing photocells work perfectly with our LED retrofit kits. The auto-sensing LED drivers respond to photocell switching just like the original ballast. I've retrofitted hundreds of parking lot fixtures where clients kept their existing twist-lock photocells without any compatibility issues.

How Energy Efficient Are Retrofit Kits?

Our retrofit kits deliver 165 lumens per watt efficiency, matching the best new LED fixtures. Most achieve DLC Premium certification for maximum utility rebates. A typical 400W metal halide retrofit drops to 120W LED while maintaining equal light output—that's 70% energy savings.

How Easy Is it to Install LED Light Retrofit Kits?

Installation involves removing the existing lamp and ballast, then wiring in the new LED driver and LED array. The auto-adjusting drivers require no voltage configuration. While we provide complete instructions, electrical work should be performed by a licensed electrician due to line voltage connections.

Do I Need a Ground Wire for Commercial LED Retrofit Kits?

Yes, all UL Listed LED drivers require proper grounding for safety compliance. Connect the driver's ground wire to the fixture's ground point—the same location where your original ballast ground was attached.