Considerations in Industrial Lighting Retrofitting

Lighting accounts for approximately 12% of total industrial electricity consumption. Excess bills can prompt business owners to take different paths to reduce the cost of lighting. But unlike home lighting retrofit, industrial lighting retrofit is more complex and difficult to manage. Renewing lighting without any preparation and consultation carries a high risk. Therefore, business owners do not think much about lighting reinforcement. A successful lighting retrofit must be performed by electricians, utility companies and lighting manufacturers. Profit always comes first for businesses. Therefore, a cost-effective industrial lighting retrofit makes more sense.

What is the Purpose of Lighting Reinforcement?

When it comes to industrial lighting retrofitting, targets need to be set in order to achieve positive results. The goals of lighting retrofit include saving energy, improving light quality, increasing productivity, reducing maintenance, protecting the environment, etc. things are included. The goals set can affect the needs and functions of the lighting system. If business owners want to save energy, a dimmable and intelligently controlled lighting system can meet the need. If they want to increase efficiency, they can choose a lighting system with adequate but not dazzling lighting. Operators may have various goals, but they have to prioritize due to budget constraints. A cost-effective lighting retrofit can reduce the electricity bill by an average of 40%. It has a chance to pay for itself up to 5 years. Improper lighting reinforcement will only waste money and cause unwanted lighting effects. For this reason, lighting reinforcement should not be done without a specific target.

Lighting retrofits make sense when they are cost-effective or at least meet specific needs. Insufficient light, excessively long working hours, high energy costs, inefficient lighting effects, insufficient maintenance, etc. If there are unfavorable conditions such as Insufficient light threatens safety and security, it may make sense to replace the lamp or luminaire with a higher output power. Excessive lighting hours waste energy and money adding smart controls can save energy efficiently. It is related to high energy cost, efficient light sources and lighting control system. All these factors must be taken into account during lighting retrofits. Poor maintenance can be caused by the lamp's excessive operating life. Replacing the lamp or luminaire is helpful for easier maintenance.

   

Which Light Source to Choose?

LED is the most suitable option for lighting retrofits. LEDs last longer and consume up to 80% less energy than traditional halogen light sources while producing the same amount of light.

-LEDs have wide CCT (correlated color temperature) range. Different color temperature brings various feeling and atmosphere.

-LEDs have higher efficiency than traditional lamps, which means that the LED can emit more light with the same power consumed. The total cost of LEDs is very low compared to other conventional light sources. Choosing LEDs can help you save money.

-LEDs can last significantly longer (hours) than other conventional light sources. LEDs are much more durable as they lose their light output slowly.

-LEDs can be used not only indoors but also outdoors. Some LEDs are equipped with waterproof, dustproof and corrosion resistance feature. Buddha adds a special value to them.

-LEDs emit light with less UV (ultraviolet) and IR (infrared) radiation, making them heat sensitive products. It should be widely used for materials that are subject to deterioration due to UV rays.
-LEDs are environmentally friendly. They do not contain dangerous chemicals such as mercury and neon found in halogen lamps and are more reliable.
-Unlike other conventional lamps, LEDs turn on instantly, don't wait to warm up, quickly reach full brightness.
Lamp Retrofit, Retrofit Kits or Fixture Replacement
LEDs are the optimal choice for lighting improvements. There are three common retrofit options; lamp retrofit, retrofit kit and luminaire replacement.
1-Lamp Retrofit
Lamp retrofit is adapted only to retrofit fluorescent fixtures with tubular LEDs. Lamp retrofit is cheaper and easier compared to other retrofits. This retrofit is accomplished by directly replacing the lamp, removing the ballast, or adding the driver and LED tube.
-Direct lamp replacement
This method only removes the lamp while preserving the existing ballast and sockets. It is the easiest and least costly of all power-ups. However, ballast mismatch and poor maintenance can occur.
- Ballast removal
In this retrofit, the existing ballast is removed. It saves more energy and also provides fast installation. However, it requires an electrician for safe replacement. The dimming function cannot be performed until the ballast is replaced.
-External driver and LED tube
It is the most efficient way of lamp retrofit. The external drive provides an opportunity for dimming capabilities and better thermal management. The disadvantages of this method are the electrician requirements and high cost.
2-Reinforcement Kits
Replacing LED retrofit kits is more efficient than lamp retrofits. The LED retrofit kit is especially used when the existing enclosure needs to stay or the enclosure is difficult to remove. LED retrofit kits consist of LED luminaire, ballast, socket and electronics. Longer lifetime can be achieved as the functional parts of the lighting are replaced with new ones. In addition, lighting control and better thermal management are also available. Thus, LED retrofit kits can save up to 50% energy. However, retrofit kits are more costly than lamp retrofits and require a skilled electrician to replace them.
3-Luminaire Replacement
Armature replacement is the most expensive but most efficient retrofit option. This retrofit method consists of replacing existing fixtures with new LED fixtures. New LED luminaires bring maximum longevity, energy savings, safety, visual effects, controllability, maintenance and light quality. Fixture replacement is more costly than the other two retrofits. As we all know, LEDs are efficient, providing high output with less energy consumption. However, this benefit creates a risk of over-lighting for the existing space with a one-to-one replacement, resulting in an uncomfortable lighting experience. Economic analysis cannot be calculated on cost alone. Saved energy is crucial in returns such as increased satisfaction and increased productivity. The benefits of retrofitting are worth the expense if they are going to add significantly to the business. Although the initial cost of armature replacement is high, the increased cost will decrease with a long lifetime. Choosing the right lighting manufacturers is essential to ensure the quality and longevity of the lighting system.