Saving energy with lighting: relighting and refitting

Many old buildings of companies, public services, schools, healthcare facilities, etc. still use outdated lighting systems. In most cases, it pays off to make modifications (refitting) or even replace the luminaires (relighting). Relighting and refitting not only save a considerable amount of energy, but also ensure a healthier (working) environment with more comfort.

Due to the increasing and unpredictable energy costs, it is definitely profitable to take a critical look at your lighting systems. Relighting and refitting are interesting options for owners of older buildings, who want to save on energy costs and CO2 emission.

Significant energy saving with LED lighting

Since the late 1990s, LED lighting has been on the market for everyday use. Since then, fluorescent lamps and other similar lamps are disappearing from the street scene. LED lighting is incredibly efficient in comparison to older technologies. The switch provides significant cost savings. Maintenance costs also decrease, thanks to the long life expectancy of LED lighting.

In 2023, owners of non-residential buildings can still benefit from premiums for investments in energy-efficient interior lighting.

Relighting or refitting?

To install LED lighting in an older building, you can opt for refitting or relighting. Most of the time, you don’t really have a choice between the two options, as the situation determines the most logical option. Sometimes you have to make do with what you have.

In some buildings, relighting is not possible due to the limitations of the infrastructure. In other cases, refitting is not possible because too many components are worn-out.
The (lighting) technical construction of the luminaire also determines whether or not the
lighting systems can be replaced in their entirety. Even if the budget is limited, refitting can be a better option than relighting and still achieve the intended cost reduction. After all, refitting gives the components a new life, which fits perfectly in the picture of circular lighting in a circular economy.

Consider lighting comfort as well

In addition to saving energy, there are numerous other reasons to install LED lighting. For example, LED immediately provides full light output upon activation. A fluorescent lamp, on the other hand, ignites slowly. So motion sensors only make sense with LED lighting.
Just think of a small storage room or passageway, where you quickly need light for just a short amount of time. Relighting enables optimization with DALI (daylight) lighting control and Human Centric Lighting for a healthy (working) environment.

Do you need advice for your own project?

For each project, our lighting architects make a lighting study to calculate the savings potential and payback period. That way, we can find a solution together that pays off as quickly as possible.

Contact us for advice about the lighting for your building and its installation.