Historically, a refurbishment project would involve replacing old light fixtures with new ones, but as we navigate an era of sustainability and tightened budgets, we must find alternative ways. When lighting is renewed rather than replaced, it benefits from enhanced performance, reduced costs and a longer lifespan.
How does DRK renew lighting?
Also referred to as remanufacturing or refurbishing, renewing lighting involves restoring existing light fixtures to an as-new condition while upgrading their internal components to improve performance and ensure compliance with modern safety standards.
Our process involves:
- assessing
- collecting
- dismantling
- cleaning
- repairing
- replacing any defective or worn-out components
- rewiring
- upgrading the optics
- reassembling
- testing and certifying the finished article
This results in a fixture that looks and performs as new, but for a fraction of the environmental and financial cost. At DRK, we offer a 7-year warranty and 20-year duty of care with our remanufactured fittings.
Comparing performance between renewed and new lighting fixtures
The refurbishment process upgrades the wiring and optics, so these renewed lighting fixtures perform as well as, or better than, a new fixture, whilst offering up to 80% better efficiency and compatibility with smart controls.
There is a school of thought that new fixtures offer greater design flexibility; however, if maintaining the aesthetic integrity of a build is an essential factor, renewal will always win.
Comparing the cost of renewed and new lighting fixtures
When you choose to renew lighting rather than replace it, cost is often a primary driver in the decision-making process. This is because a refurbished fixture usually costs less than a new one. Combined with lower installation costs and reduced disposal costs, renewed light fixtures offer far greater value for money than new ones.
Comparing the lifespan between renewed and new lighting fixtures
Both a new and a renewed lighting fixture is expected to last up to 100,000 hours, depending on the quality of the modules and drivers that are installed. Therefore, provided that the quality of the refurbishment process is satisfactory, the lifespan once installed should be identical.
Another important consideration when choosing between renewed and new lighting fixtures is sustainability. For companies that are keen to achieve or exceed their environmental performance goals, opting for refurbished lighting will deliver a measurable impact. By remanufacturing, you are keeping old fixtures out of landfill, reducing transportation emissions and reducing the need for new raw material extraction.
In period properties, the use of refurbished lighting adds another layer of authenticity, maintaining historical features while improving energy efficiency, performance and safety compliance. As many period fixtures are handcrafted from high-quality materials, they lend themselves well to refurbishment and can deliver significant benefits to refurbishment projects.
Conclusion
We have found that, lately, most organisations have adopted a hybrid approach that offers the best balance. Refurbish fixtures wherever possible and carefully selected new models when necessary to satisfy strict aesthetic goals, customer preferences or brand image. Renewed fixtures allow businesses to maintain the existing infrastructure, accelerate installation and meet sustainability objectives. However, the trade-off is a reduction in innovation and design flexibility.
In short, carefully combining new and old lighting fixtures in refurbishment projects is an intelligent solution that allows businesses to constrain their budgets while achieving environmental goals.