ASL
Old fluorescent troffers, metal halide high bays and incandescent fixtures cost more to run, need constant lamp and ballast replacements, and often leave spaces dim, flickering or unevenly lit. An LED lighting retrofit replaces them with efficient, long-lasting LED fixtures that improve light quality and cut energy and maintenance costs. ASL Electric retrofits commercial lighting in offices, retail, warehouses, schools, medical suites and multifamily common areas across Orange County.
We evaluate your existing lighting, recommend the right approach for each area, whether new LED fixtures, retrofit kits or LED lamps, and install with minimal disruption to your business. We also make sure the project meets California's Title 24 lighting control requirements, which can apply when lighting is altered, so you get the savings without problems at inspection.
LED retrofit services
⚡Office and retail troffers
Replacing fluorescent troffers with LED flat panels or retrofit kits for even, glare-free light in offices, medical suites and stores.
⚡Warehouse high bays
Converting metal halide and fluorescent high bays to LED high bays with instant-on light and optional occupancy sensing.
⚡Parking garage and exterior lighting
LED fixtures for garages, canopies, wall packs and site lighting. See our parking lot lighting page.
⚡Common areas and corridors
LED lighting for multifamily corridors, stairwells, lobbies and amenity spaces, often with occupancy controls.
⚡Lighting controls
Occupancy sensors, multilevel dimming, daylight controls and time schedules as required by Title 24 and for added savings.
⚡Emergency lighting updates
Updating exit signs and emergency lighting to LED at the same time as the retrofit.
Signs your building is ready for an LED retrofit
Consider an LED retrofit if:
- Fluorescent tubes flicker, buzz or burn out often
- Ballasts fail and need constant replacement
- Spaces feel dim or lighting is uneven
- High bays take minutes to warm up
- Lighting energy costs are a large part of your bill
- Maintenance staff spend time on lamp changes
- Lighting does not have occupancy or daylight controls
- You are planning a tenant improvement or remodel
Why LED retrofits pay off
LED fixtures use far less energy than the fluorescent and metal halide lighting they replace and last much longer, which reduces both utility bills and the labor of replacing lamps and ballasts. They turn on instantly, do not flicker, and provide better color quality for employees and customers. Combined with occupancy and daylight controls, they keep lights off when spaces are empty, adding to the savings.
How we approach an LED retrofit
Survey the existing lighting
We count fixtures, note types and conditions, and look at how each space is used and occupied.
Recommend fixtures and controls
We recommend new fixtures, retrofit kits or lamps for each area, plus the controls required by code and those that make sense for savings.
Install with minimal disruption
We schedule work around your hours, work area by area, and keep spaces clean and safe.
Test and document
We test fixtures and controls, support any required acceptance testing, and document the work.
Retrofit approaches
Full fixture replacement
Best performance and life when fixtures are old or damaged.
Retrofit kits
Upgrades existing housings with less ceiling disruption.
LED lamp replacement
Simplest swap where existing fixtures are in good condition.
Retrofit with controls
Adds occupancy and daylight controls for code and extra savings.
New fixtures, retrofit kits or LED lamps?
New LED fixtures replace the entire fixture and give the best performance and longest life, especially when the existing fixtures are old or damaged. Retrofit kits install inside existing housings, replacing the guts of the fixture while keeping the ceiling intact, which can be faster and less disruptive. LED tubes and lamps are the simplest swap but may rely on existing ballasts or require rewiring.
We recommend the right approach for each area based on the fixture condition, ceiling type, budget and how long you plan to occupy the space.
Title 24 and lighting alterations
California's Energy Code applies when lighting systems are altered in many commercial projects. Depending on the scope, it can require controls such as manual area controls, multilevel lighting, automatic shutoff, occupancy sensing and daylight-responsive controls, and acceptance testing of those controls.
We plan retrofits with these requirements in mind so the project passes inspection and the controls deliver real savings.
Choosing the right light for each space
Not every space needs the same light. Offices and classrooms benefit from even, glare-controlled light and a neutral color temperature; retail spaces need higher color rendering so products look right; warehouses need high-output fixtures at the right spacing for the rack layout; corridors and stairwells need reliable light with occupancy control.
We match fixture type, output, color temperature and controls to each area during the survey, so the retrofit improves how the space looks and works, not just the energy bill.
Retrofit kits, lamps or new fixtures
There are three common approaches to an LED upgrade. Direct-replacement lamps go into existing fixtures and are the quickest, but they depend on the condition of the old fixture and sometimes its ballast. Retrofit kits replace the inside of an existing fixture with an LED light engine and driver, reusing the housing. New LED fixtures replace everything and usually give the best light quality, efficiency and lifespan.
The right choice depends on the age and condition of your fixtures, your ceiling type, the look you want and your budget. During the survey we recommend an approach for each area, and we are happy to mix approaches across a building when that makes the most sense.
What affects the cost of an LED retrofit
Cost depends on the number and type of fixtures, the retrofit approach, ceiling heights and lift requirements, control requirements, whether work must be done after hours, and permit and acceptance testing needs. Utility rebate programs for commercial lighting change over time, so check current Southern California Edison or SDG&E programs before you start. We provide a free survey and estimate.
How it works with ASL Electric
We survey your fixtures, spaces and controls.
You get a fixture-by-fixture recommendation and an itemized price.
We install, test fixtures and controls, and document the work.
Commercial LED Lighting Retrofits across Orange County
Commercial buildings across Orange County, from offices and medical suites in Irvine to warehouses and flex spaces in Lake Forest, Costa Mesa, Tustin and Huntington Beach, still run on fluorescent and metal halide lighting installed decades ago. Multifamily communities and HOAs also have corridors, stairwells and parking areas that benefit from LED and occupancy controls.
We work with business owners, property managers and HOA boards to plan retrofits that fit their budget and schedule, and we coordinate with Southern California Edison or SDG&E program requirements when you are pursuing a rebate.