By Tom Shearer, Commercial Business Development Manager, Lutron Electronics
New commercial construction projects easily capture our interest and attention. For many lighting professionals, the bigger opportunity lies in the billions of square feet of existing commercial office space. However, retrofit projects present a substantial market opportunity and a complex technical challenge. Wireless lighting control systems are well-positioned to meet the retrofit challenge with simplified upgrades that improve building performance and reduce operational costs.
The Fluorescent Lighting Challenge
A key issue in existing buildings is outdated fluorescent lighting. Although LEDs are the design standard in new construction, nearly half of the installed lighting in commercial buildings was still fluorescent as of 2020. Not only are fluorescents less efficient than LEDs, but they also contain mercury, which poses known environmental and safety risks. In response, Canada and ten U.S. states have banned fluorescent lamp sales, with more states considering similar action. It is important to note that over 75% of installed fluorescent lighting does not use a control system.
As fluorescent bans expand, demand is dropping, and manufacturers are phasing out production of fluorescent lamps and ballasts. Contractors and facility managers will face increasing difficulty sourcing replacements, and lighting performance will suffer. To keep buildings running smoothly and efficiently, now is the time to plan for LED upgrades.
For simple fluorescent-to-LED projects, LED retrofit kits can enable straightforward upgrades without new wiring and still maintain the ability to work with existing control systems. For more comprehensive lighting upgrades, a wireless control system can ease the transition and improve lighting performance. Lighting upgrades with wireless controls allow for energy savings and code compliance with simple commissioning and no additional wiring.
Image: Easily upgrade fluorescent lighting to LEDs with comprehensive retrofit kits, like the Lutron Ballast Retrofit Kits by C-Flex. Image courtesy Lutron.
Addressing Common Retrofit Challenges
Three factors often complicate lighting and control upgrades: infrastructure limitations, occupant disruption, and cost. Wireless systems address all three and offer a bonus opportunity to add adaptable new control technology.
Infrastructure: Many legacy buildings lack the low-voltage wiring needed for wired lighting controls. Adding new wiring requires opening ceilings, coordination with building occupants, and sometimes asbestos abatement. Wireless systems use existing electrical infrastructure and communicate via radio frequency, avoiding these complications.
Disruption: In occupied spaces, ceiling work and restricted access can disrupt tenant operations, potentially causing revenue loss. Traditional installations may require extended timelines and temporary lighting. Wireless systems can often be installed during off-hours, minimizing the impact on building users.
Cost: Eliminating control wiring and reducing labor hours lowers the total cost of ownership for wireless systems. In many retrofit applications, they are more cost-effective than wired alternatives, and wireless lighting control provides reliable, secure communication, supports irregular fixture layouts, and adapts to changes in space use and tenant needs.
Flexible Control Options: If you’re installing LED retrofit kits or new fixtures, luminaire-level lighting control (LLLC) allows each fixture to operate as its own zone, enabling easier adjustments as floor plans shift or tenant needs evolve. For events or seasonal changes, temporary scenes can be implemented in software without changing the physical infrastructure.
Increasing Sustainability and Meeting New Code Requirements
As energy codes become more stringent, strategies like daylight harvesting, zone control, and staged occupancy are essential to compliance. With a wired system, implementing these tactics often requires costly rewiring or fixture replacements.
Wireless systems offer a streamlined path forward. They can reduce energy use and enhance comfort—with the added benefit of easy reconfiguration and reprogramming. Fixture assignments can be updated in minutes, using occupancy data to guide new space layouts and updated zone design. Adding luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLCs) further enhances this flexibility. Each fixture becomes its own zone, ready to be grouped, regrouped, and reassigned as needs change.
Image: Luminaire-level-lighting-controls, like Lutron’s Athena wireless node, can also be specified to have integrated occupancy sensing to further save energy. Image courtesy Lutron.
So, when a tenant reconfigures their floorplan or turns a conference room into a collaboration hub, they don’t have to settle for poor lighting—or pay for rewiring. Their wireless system is built with the future in mind.
Planning and Implementation
Effective retrofit projects require close coordination among stakeholders. It’s essential to understand how wireless systems can fit into existing building architecture without compromising design intent. In many cases, even simple upgrades enhance control capabilities. Wireless systems streamline commissioning. Without point-to-point wiring to verify, programming and testing can be completed more quickly, reducing the risk of delays and helping to keep projects on schedule. Contractors benefit from more straightforward installation, reduced material needs, fewer wiring-related errors, and less time spent on each job.
Preparing for the Future
Cloud-connected wireless systems provide additional value in retrofit applications. Unlike traditional wired systems that remain fixed after installation, wireless platforms can receive software updates that add capabilities without requiring hardware changes. Wireless systems also enable performance optimization based on usage data, allowing lighting schedules to be adjusted over time for energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Retrofit work is a significant growth area for the lighting industry. As building owners look for ways to modernize while managing costs and minimizing disruption, wireless control systems offer a practical and scalable solution. For lighting professionals, understanding wireless technology is no longer optional. It’s essential to stay competitive and deliver efficient, adaptable lighting systems. The buildings of tomorrow will come from the upgrades we make today.
About the Author:
Tom Shearer is a commercial business development manager at Lutron Electronics, where he works with institutions and facility professionals to implement lighting and control solutions that drive energy savings, sustainability, and operational efficiency. He has authored multiple industry articles and regularly contributes to thought leadership on smart lighting strategies across the built environment.
Top image: Tom Shearer, Commercial Business Development Manager, Lutron Electronics.
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