Almost all offices use 2×4’ or 2×2’ recessed prismatic lensed or parabolic troffer light fixtures for lighting. These have become outdated and are not even close to being energy efficient!
Since T-12 lamps are no longer being manufactured, most offices have two options to consider. They can either upgrade to T8 lamps and electronic ballasts or consider updating to LED troffers for a totally updated look. Both options save energy and improve the office lighting
The benefits of upgrading to LED are:
- Provides a 75% reduction in the cost of energy required
- Diming is now an option
- Offices take on an updated look
- Maintenance is virtually non-existent
- The quality of the light is better
- Improves your real estate investment
With the cost of LED fixtures coming down dramatically over the past couple years, we are seeing more clients considering the advantages of LED for their office lighting. Here’s a photo of an office with a Phillips LED EVO kit retrofit:
There are companies like Philips who make a slick retrofit kit, designed to be inserted into a gutted recessed troffer fixture. The cost is 40% less than replacing the entire fixture as well as garnering the benefit of a much faster conversion time. The time to convert each fixture takes only 12-15 minutes, while the original 2×4’ troffer box remains intact. This is done without breaking the ceiling surface whatsoever. The finished project looks like you installed completely new fixtures.
Years ago when everyone had a legal pad and a #2 pencil we needed a lot of light in offices to eliminate eye strain. In today’s environment, staring into a computer screen for hours at a time, less light is preferable and the ability to dim LED office troffers is a huge plus, not to mention dimming enhances your energy savings even further.
Those owners/managers who don’t want to spring for the classier LED upgrade option can garner a 62% in energy savings by retrofitting their fixtures from four T12 lamps and two magnetic ballasts to a reflector, two high lumen T8 lamps and one, energy efficient electronic ballast, all with no loss of light. After a lighting retrofit, you’ll notice every fixture now works and all have a uniform lamp color vs. a hodge podge of burned out lamps and assorted lamp colors. Below, you can see a closeup of a Phillips EVO kit:
I’d suggest contracting with a company who specializes in lighting retrofits to handle this project for you during evening hours and on weekends. They will work after hours as to not interrupt your staff and they can typically convert as many as 75-100 fixtures per night, freeing up your maintenance folks to concentrate on their normal responsibilities.
Why not consider updating your office and start savings money today!
