Running a business sustainably means balancing environmental goals with financial efficiency. Lighting is one of the biggest energy costs in commercial and industrial buildings, yet major savings can be achieved without a full renovation. Retrofit lighting is a practical, cost-effective way to upgrade existing infrastructure with modern, energy-efficient technology. It can slash energy bills while improving working conditions.
What Retrofit Lighting Involves
Retrofitting replaces older lighting components with newer technology within the same fittings or layouts, avoiding structural changes. It’s a low-disruption process that saves time and materials. The upgrade typically involves converting fluorescent or halogen fixtures to LED alternatives, integrating sensors and installing intelligent controls. These upgrades can significantly cut energy use and maintenance needs while delivering superior light quality. The process is scalable too, suitable for everything from small offices to large manufacturing plants.
LED Conversion Kits
One of our simplest and most effective retrofit solutions is our LED conversion kits. Traditional fluorescent tubes or high-intensity discharge lamps consume far more power than necessary and require regular replacement. LEDs can reduce running costs by up to 75% and last significantly longer. Their consistent colour temperature and brightness also enhance visibility, particularly in manufacturing and logistics environments. Providing your site team with Conversion Kits and guidance enables in-situ upgrades, reducing disruption, on-site personnel, and costs.
Smart Controls
Smart systems enhance the efficiency of retrofit lighting. Motion and presence sensors automatically turn off lights in unoccupied areas, while daylight sensors adjust brightness in response to natural light levels. Time-based controls and wireless solutions allow for flexible scheduling without rewiring. These innovations cut costs and contribute to sustainability targets. We provide Bluetooth Mesh systems that can be integrated with building management systems to support HVAC and security.
High-Efficiency Luminaires
When existing fittings cease to be viable, high-efficiency luminaires provide an alternative. Designed to maximise lumen output per watt, they combine modern optics with precision engineering to deliver optimal illumination. In industrial settings, high-bay and low-bay luminaires distribute light evenly across large areas. For office applications, recessed panel LEDs create uniform, glare-free lighting that improves comfort and productivity.
Emergency and Outdoor Lighting Upgrades
Safety-critical areas often get overlooked during retrofit planning. Modern emergency and outdoor lighting systems now use LED and battery technologies with improved reliability and lower maintenance. Smart monitoring keeps emergency lights operational and compliant with safety regulations. Meanwhile, upgrading outdoor floodlights, car park lighting or security illumination can drastically reduce nighttime energy use.
Human-Centric and Tunable Lighting
Human-centric lighting solutions mimic natural daylight cycles, supporting circadian rhythms and enhancing concentration. Tunable white systems let users adjust the colour temperature to suit specific tasks or times of day – cooler tones for alertness and warmer tones for relaxation. Such solutions are increasingly popular in offices, healthcare environments and educational facilities.
Retrofit Solutions
Retrofit lighting provides one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways for businesses to modernise their premises while meeting sustainability goals. From basic LED conversions to advanced smart controls and human-centric systems, each upgrade offers clear returns through lower energy bills, reduced maintenance and improved work environments. By taking advantage of innovative retrofit solutions, commercial and industrial property owners can future-proof their buildings, reduce carbon emissions and create brighter, safer, and more productive spaces.
Planning a Retrofit Project
Getting started is simple. The first step is an audit of your current lighting systems. Our expert assessment will consider factors such as light levels, energy consumption and control systems before recommending specific upgrades. DRK’s experienced lighting specialists will give fully customised recommendations to deliver measurable improvements in performance, cost efficiency and environmental impact.
If retrofitting sounds like the right solution for you, please, get in touch today here.