LED Wall Pack Retrofits: Quick Wins & Common Mistakes

An LED retrofit is a cost and energy efficient method that replaces older light fixtures to LEDs. LED retrofits swap the old hardware for an LED fixture. This means you don't have to replace the old fixture's housing or wiring.

Incandescents or fluorescents are less energy efficient, making them less cost effective. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have the highest efficiency and are brighter, meaning more money in your pocket.

Depending on what retrofit you install, they can have a variety of effects on your lighting. Color temperature, brightness (Lumens), and light distribution will significantly improve with LED wall pack retrofits.

Improper fitting is one of the most common mistakes people make when installing retrofits. This mistake can range from improper selection regarding size, lumens, or beam angle.

Another common mistake when retrofitting wall packs is poor installation cause by previous installations. Shoddy installs can cause issues of poor light quality, shorter LED lifespans, and electrical hazards in future retrofits.

Expanding on the topic of common mistakes, below are more in-depth details of some common mistakes.

Incorrect Fixture Compatibility

Ensuring the compatibility of your LEDs with your dimmers prevents flickering, buzzing, or damage to the LED or dimmer within the light fixture. Installing an incompatible retrofit, can damage your existing wiring, creating safety hazards such as overheating, damaged wiring, and physical injury. In other words, your wiring and new fixture can catch fire or seriously harm someone.

Additionally, incompatible retrofits installations tank LED performance overall. Flickering, electrical failures, energy waste, and shorter lifespans are common side effects when installing the wrong fixture.

Ignoring Existing Wiring

Depending on the amount of LEDs being installed, the power demands of the new lights might be too much for your existing wiring. This is especially dangerous in older buildings trying to renovate their lighting. Old wiring is more prone to electrical fires, electrocution, system failure, and low insulation. Consider also replacing the wiring, if needed, before installing more than one retrofit fixture.

Consult a licensed professional to determine the health of your existing wiring and overall load capacity.

Heat Management

Improper heat management of LEDs can lead to degradation in the LED. This causes gradual shifts in light output, color changes, and eventual need for replacement. Heat is the leading cause of degradation in LEDs. Shop for retrofits with heat sinks, cooling and/or thermal protections to improve the longevity of your lights.

HomElectrical suggests hiring a professional for installations. Installing LEDs can lead to the following benefits:

High Performance Lighting

Using LEDs, instead of incandescent or fluorescent, offers superior light quality. They offer better color rendering compared to traditional types, making areas appear brighter and more natural. With brighter visibility, less energy would be used to light the same areas with a different bulb.

Minimal Maintenance

Because LEDs having a longer lifespan, maintenance is minimal. When properly installed, LEDs can last 30x longer than incandescents and 3 to 5x longer than fluorescent lamps. This is beneficial for high-mounted fixtures, like in parking lots or warehouses. Wall packs are designed to direct light into large areas, allowing for less light pollution while maximizing where light is needed.

Improved Energy Efficiency

LED use considerably less energy. In fact, they use up to 80-90% less energy compared to to incandescent or fluorescent lights. The energy efficiency allows for a more sustainable source of light that reduces carbon footprints. This also allows for a quicker ROI on installments.

LEDs are rapidly becoming the norm for lighting. They require minimal maintenance after installation, so install wall pack retrofits in your home, parking lots, or other existing buildings to enjoy longer lifespans of your lighting fixtures and reduce energy consumption with energy efficient lighting.