Some governments are legislating the end of fluorescent lighting for businesses, and as a result, many companies are ceasing the manufacturing of fluorescent lighting, so maintenance and facility managers will need to plan for an alternative. Upgrading lighting source technology to LED lighting allows businesses the opportunity to save energy, improve lighting performance, and enhance the visual appeal of your building.

A recent webinar hosted by Tom Shearer, Systems Sales Engineering Leader at Lutron, recently covered the ways in which facilities can best manage the switch to facility LED lighting.

Replacement options

Facility and maintenance managers have a few options for making the switch from fluorescent to LEDs:

• Option A: Without replacing the fixtures (and in some cases leaving the ballast in place), many of the fluorescents can be replaced with LEDs, however, code may require you to upgrade to more sophisticated controls. There are a few options for retrofitting from fluorescent to LEDs.
• Option B: It may be possible to hardwire the lighting directly and bypass the ballasts, however, this means that your system is not dimmable, and there is a risk of damaging controls during the installation.
• Option C: This is a full replacement, including the replacement of a compatible lamp and driver. This option, while more expensive than the other options, allows for better end-result performance.

With dimming properties, dimming ballasts will need to be replaced, and you will need to ensure that the controls you currently have remain, even after the switch

Things to consider

This project could be a major expense and needs to be considered and planned carefully.

• Start with a mock-up of the space, beginning the project with a “trial space,” to ensure that all risks have been properly identified and that the project has been planned as efficiently as possible. Many kits are available one at a time, so you can test it out on a small scale before planning a full retrofit.
• Budget is, of course, a consideration, so plan and phase the project as your budget allows.
• Plan to include the latest technology if you can, to avoid the need to upgrade shortly after the project’s completion.
• Do the research to determine whether there are rebates available in your area and what they include. In some areas, the rebates can be substantial and may play a part in scheduling your retrofit project.
• Look at emergency lighting. Identify whether you use battery backup ballasts or have a system that requires you to consider the functionality in the case of an emergency.

Switching your fluorescent lighting to LEDs may be required in the near future, so take a proactive approach to upgrading the lighting in your building.