LED Lighting Retrofit
Professional LED lighting retrofit services that help your business save on energy costs, deliver energy saving results, improve light quality, and meet current electrical codes
5 Highlights on LED Lighting Retrofit
- Significant energy reduction — LED lighting retrofit replaces inefficient fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen fixtures with solid-state LED lamps, LED tubes, and LED panels that draw 40–75% less wattage for the same lumen output
- Ballast bypass and driver compatibility — Kochs Electric installs ballast bypass wiring and driver-compatible LED retrofit kits, eliminating failed electronic ballasts and magnetic ballasts that cause flickering and premature lamp failure
- Improved color quality — Retrofitted LED fixtures deliver higher CRI ratings and selectable color temperatures from warm 2700K to cool 5000K, giving facilities accurate, consistent illumination across troffers, highbays, downlights, and exit signs
- Rebate and incentive eligibility — Many utility incentive programs and energy code requirements, including Duke Energy Indiana rebate programs, reward certified LED retrofit projects with rebates that shorten the payback period to two to five years
- Code-compliant installation — Every retrofit is permitted, inspected, and wired to NEC standards by licensed journeyman and master electricians, covering branch circuits, junction boxes, conduit, and ground wire connections
Why Choose Our LED Lighting Retrofit
Founded by Master Electrician David Koch (Indiana License #EC21400047) and serving Indiana commercial and industrial facilities since 2008, Kochs Electric brings licensed master electricians and journeyman electricians to every LED lighting retrofit project. We carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance on every project. We don’t subcontract the work. Our crew pulls permits, routes conduit, terminates conductors, and commissions every fixture before we leave the job site.
We spec each retrofit using photometric studies and cut sheets matched to your facility’s lux and footcandle targets. That means troffers, highbays, lowbay fixtures, and streetlights are selected for the right efficacy and wattage to match your commercial lighting needs – not just swapped out by guesswork.
Our team troubleshoots existing branch circuits, measures load, and tests voltage before installing any LED driver or LED module. We identify overloaded circuits, tripped breakers, and incompatible dimmers before they become change orders.
Kochs Electric is fully insured, OSHA compliant, and carries certifications for commercial and industrial electrical work. We provide detailed material lists, work orders, and invoices so facility managers and project managers have complete documentation for rebate applications and energy audits. We are committed to providing full project management support from the initial site assessment through final sign-off.
We back our LED lighting retrofit installations with a workmanship warranty and connect you with manufacturer warranties on every LED fixture, LED driver, and LED retrofit kit we install. Serving commercial and industrial facilities throughout Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, and Indiana – call (317) 680-7907 to schedule a lighting audit and retrofit assessment.
Recent projects include a 220-fixture fluorescent-to-LED retrofit for an Indianapolis distribution warehouse – Lithonia highbay LED panels replacing 400W metal halide fixtures, 62% wattage reduction confirmed by clamp meter at commissioning, and a Duke Energy Indiana commercial rebate application submitted with our wattage reduction documentation; and a 48-troffer office retrofit for a Carmel professional services firm, replacing T8 fluorescent with Cree LED panels, occupancy sensors installed in every conference room, and footcandle levels verified against the photometric study before final sign-off.
Signs You Need LED Lighting Retrofit
1. Frequent lamp failures and relamping costs: If your maintenance team is constantly relamping fluorescent tubes, replacing incandescent bulbs, or swapping halogen lamps, your fixtures are past their useful lifespan. LED tubes and LED panels carry rated lifespans of 50,000 hours or more, which cuts relamping labor and material costs sharply and reduces the time spent on sign maintenance and routine lamp upkeep.
2. Flickering, buzzing, or dimming fixtures: Flickering troffers and buzzing luminaires point to failing electronic ballasts or magnetic ballasts. A high flicker index causes eye strain and signals that the ballast is drawing inconsistent current. LED retrofit kits with ballast bypass eliminate the ballast entirely and connect directly to the branch circuit.
3. High kilowatt-hour consumption on lighting circuits: When your power meter shows lighting loads consuming a disproportionate share of kilowatt-hours, inefficient fixtures are the cause. A lighting audit with a lux meter and clamp meter will identify which circuits are overloaded and where LED fixtures will deliver the greatest energy savings.
4. Non-compliant fixtures under current energy codes: Indiana energy codes, ASHRAE 90.1, and NEC updates require dimmable, occupancy-based, or daylight-harvested lighting in many commercial and industrial spaces. If your current lighting systems are non-dimmable or lack occupancy sensor and daylight sensor controls, you’re out of compliance and at risk during inspections.
5. Poor light quality affecting work performance: Low CRI fluorescent fixtures distort color rendering in warehouses, retail spaces, and work areas. Replacing them with high-CRI LED panels and directional LED spotlights improves visibility, reduces errors, and meets lighting design specs from your engineer or lighting designer.
Our LED Lighting Retrofit Process
Step 1 — Lighting Audit and Load Assessment We start by walking the facility with a lux meter, power meter, and clamp meter. We measure existing footcandle levels, document fixture types, and record wattage and ampere draws on each branch circuit and subpanel.
Step 2 — Photometric Study and Spec Selection Our team reviews cut sheets and spec sheets for LED fixtures, LED drivers, and LED retrofit kits matched to your space. We calculate lumen output, color temperature, CRI, and efficacy targets for troffers, highbays, downlights, and specialty fixtures.
Step 3 — Permit and Code Review We pull the required permits, review NEC requirements, and confirm compliance with Indiana energy codes and ASHRAE 90.1 before any work begins.
Step 4 — Installation and Wiring Journeyman electricians disconnect existing fixtures, strip and terminate conductors, route conduit where needed, and install LED fixtures, LED drivers, and control devices including dimmer switches, occupancy sensors, and daylight sensors.
Step 5 — Testing and Commissioning We energize each circuit, test voltage, verify dimming function, and confirm lux levels match the photometric study. Every fixture is commissioned and documented before the project closes. This ensures the retrofit program delivers effective, measurable energy savings across every lighting circuit.
Brands We Use
Kochs Electric installs LED lighting retrofit products from trusted, certified manufacturers. We select brands based on driver reliability, LED module lifespan, warranty terms, and compatibility with existing control panels and dimmer switches.
- Philips
- Cree Lighting
- Lithonia Lighting
- GE Current
- Eaton
- Lutron
- Acuity Brands
- Hubbell Lighting
- Leviton
- Keystone Technologies
All products we install are UL listed, Energy Star certified where applicable, and selected to meet NEC and OSHA safety standards.
Other Services
| LED lighting retrofit | LED retrofit installation | ballast bypass LED upgrade |
| commercial LED retrofit | fluorescent to LED conversion | energy efficient lighting upgrade |
| LED fixture replacement | relamping with LED | LED tube and troffer replacement |
| industrial LED lighting retrofit | highbay LED retrofit | kilowatt-hour reduction lighting |
| professional LED retrofit service | licensed electrician LED upgrade | NEC compliant LED installation |
FAQs About LED Lighting Retrofit
What is an LED lighting retrofit?
An LED lighting retrofit is the process of replacing existing fluorescent, incandescent, or halogen fixtures with LED lamps, LED tubes, LED panels, or complete LED luminaires. It may include ballast bypass wiring, new LED drivers, updated dimmer switches, and occupancy or daylight sensors.
How does LED lighting retrofit work?
A licensed electrician disconnects the existing fixture, removes or bypasses the ballast, terminates the conductors to an LED driver or LED retrofit kit, and installs the new LED lamp or fixture. The circuit is then tested, energized, and commissioned to confirm proper voltage, lumen output, and dimming function.
When should you schedule an LED lighting retrofit?
Schedule a retrofit when fixtures flicker, ballasts fail repeatedly, energy costs are rising, or your facility needs to meet updated energy codes. Many businesses also retrofit during planned maintenance shutdowns to reduce disruption. Coordinating the work during off-hours helps minimize impact on staff and daily operations.
Why does LED lighting retrofit reduce energy costs?
LED fixtures draw significantly fewer watts than fluorescent or incandescent sources for the same lumen output. Lower wattage means lower kilowatt-hour consumption on your utility bill, and longer LED lifespan means fewer relamping labor costs.
Can existing dimmer switches work with LED fixtures?
Not always. Many older dimmer switches are rated for incandescent or fluorescent loads and are incompatible with LED drivers. Kochs Electric tests existing dimmers, replaces incompatible units with LED-rated dimmers, and verifies smooth dimming performance after installation.
Does LED lighting retrofit qualify for utility rebates?
Yes. Many utility incentive programs offer rebates for certified LED retrofit projects that meet efficacy and wattage requirements. Kochs Electric documents the installed fixtures, wattage reduction, and energy savings data needed to submit a rebate application.
How long does an LED lighting retrofit take?
Project duration depends on facility size, fixture count, and circuit complexity. A small office retrofit may take one day. A large warehouse or industrial facility with highbay fixtures, conduit work, and control system installation may take several days to a week.