Why Retrofit

A Benefits Analysis of Retrofitting your Present Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures

Lighting accounts for such a significant percentage of a building’s energy expenditure, it usually represents the greatest and simplest opportunity for power savings. Modern lighting technologies last longer and actually provide enhanced lighting quality, at only a fraction of the energy required by older lighting fixtures. So, do you have to rip out all those old fixtures to take advantage of these remarkable improvements in power savings, or is there a compelling argument for simply transforming existing fixtures?

Retrofit vs. Replacement

What is a fluorescent lighting fixture "retrofit"? Retrofitting involves replacing inefficient older lamps and ballasts with more-efficient ones. It can also mean modifying the existing luminaire by de-lamping and adding reflectors that effectively get fixture light out. Whereas, replacing the fixture entails substituting the entire luminaire for a newer fixture.

• TIME - It takes more time to rip out an entire fixture and install new ones than it takes to retrofit. Electricians typically quote an hour per fixture to replace fixtures compared to 20 - 30 minutes to retrofit them.

• COST - You can purchase a JAFtech retrofit kit for only 25% - 50% of the cost of buying a new fixture. This price point combined with the significant reduction in labor means you can get the job done with far less capital, see a return on investment in a shorter timeframe, and experience energy savings a lot sooner.

• ENVIRONMENT - There's almost no waste with retrofitting, compared to the mountain of rubbish that's generated when fixtures are replaced. This creates additional disposal costs and labor time, but more significantly, almost all of these old fixtures end up in a landfill somewhere.
  
  

If the existing lighting layout is satisfactory, and if the luminaires are in decent shape, retrofitting your existing lighting fixtures will save you time, keep the money in your pocket and is environmentally friendly.