LED Retrofit Guide

What is an LED Retrofit?

An LED retrofit involves replacing the internal light source and control gear of an existing luminaire with modern LED technology, while retaining the original housing or body. This approach updates the technology to improve light quality and energy performance without discarding the entire fitting.

Retrofit is particularly valuable for decorative, heritage and bespoke luminaires where the housing has aesthetic, historical or architectural significance that would be difficult or costly to replicate with a new product. EOS has completed retrofit projects including Westfield light stacks and Mercury Mall recessed concourse lighting, designing custom retrofit gear trays that deliver LED performance within existing luminaire enclosures.

Benefits of LED Retrofit

• Lower initial investment — typically 30-50% less than full luminaire replacement, especially for decorative and heritage fittings • Reduced carbon footprint — reusing existing housings avoids the environmental impact of manufacturing new enclosures from virgin materials • Circular economy contribution — retrofit extends product life and keeps materials in use, directly supporting circular design principles • Retained aesthetics — the look and character of the original luminaire is preserved, which is critical in heritage, listed building and brand-sensitive environments • Faster installation — no ceiling or structural modifications required in most cases • Reduced waste — existing housings don't go to landfill

When New LED Fittings Are the Better Choice

New luminaires have their own advantages that are sometimes overlooked:

• Readily available photometric data — new products come with full LDT/IES files for accurate lighting design calculations • Complete product warranty — the entire luminaire is covered under a single manufacturer warranty • Latest optical technology — new reflectors, diffusers and lens systems that may not be achievable within an existing housing • Compliance certainty — new products are designed and tested to current British Standards from the outset

The decision between retrofit and replacement should be made on a project-by-project basis, considering the condition of existing housings, the aesthetic requirements, the budget and the environmental objectives. EOS provides honest, project-specific advice — we won't recommend retrofit where replacement would deliver a better outcome, and vice versa.

How EOS Approaches Retrofit

Understanding the lit effect of a retrofit is a challenge — a lack of photometric data can cause concern. Having completed many retrofit projects, EOS has the experience and tools to accurately model the performance of a refitted luminaire. Our approach includes:

• We only use components from reputable manufacturers — Tridonic, Philips and Osram • All products go through rigorous testing to ensure they meet required British Standards • We offer a complementary lighting design service to ensure schemes meet current lighting standards and guidance • We can provide lighting performance photometry from built samples • We can build a prototype sample for client approval before full production • All our work carries a minimum 5-year warranty

CE regulations now state that unless a gear tray has been tested in each product it is intended for use, it no longer complies. EOS tests every retrofit gear tray within the specific luminaire housing it will be installed in, ensuring full compliance and warranty validity.

Retrofit or Replace? A Decision Framework

Consider retrofit when: • The existing luminaire housing is in good physical condition • The housing has aesthetic, heritage or brand significance • Budget constraints favour a lower-cost approach • Environmental and circular economy objectives are priorities • The project involves decorative or bespoke fittings that would be costly to replicate

Consider replacement when: • The existing housing is damaged, corroded or structurally compromised • The installation requires a fundamentally different light distribution • Full photometric data and compliance documentation are critical from day one • The building is undergoing a complete refurbishment where new ceiling systems make retrofit impractical • The existing fittings are standard commodity products where replacement cost is comparable to retrofit

In many projects, the optimal approach is a hybrid — retrofitting feature luminaires while replacing commodity fittings with new LED products. EOS regularly delivers hybrid schemes that balance cost, performance and sustainability.