New LED-to-LED lighting retrofits unlock rebates and reward early adopters with even more energy savings.
If your facility upgraded to LED lighting 8–10 years ago, you might assume your lighting is as efficient as it gets. Undoubtedly, LED technology marked a significant turning point in the lighting industry, back then relying on incandescent bulbs. Moreover, it represented a fundamental shift from legacy technologies like fluorescents and HID toward lower energy consumption.
But, here's a surprise: LED-to-LED upgrades are emerging as a hidden opportunity for energy efficient lighting solutions. In other words, early adopters who upgrade their first-generation LED light fixtures to the latest technology can benefit in ways that businesses have not yet considered.
Would you use a ten-year-old smartphone expecting the same advanced performance? Probably not. and you wouldn't settle on first-generation fixtures longer than that when next-gen LED lighting offers far greater efficiency and significant energy savings.
So, why not look at your current lighting system again? LED lighting technology has advanced immensely, utility rebate programs offer new incentives, and what was once considered energy-efficient lighting may now be outdated.
The New LED Revolution: Efficacy & DLC Updates
Even today, LED lighting is still rapidly advancing, and one of the major areas of improvement is efficacy. Efficacy is how much light (lumens) is produced per watt of electricity (LPW). Simply put, new generations of LEDs are getting more light from each watt, using less energy to do the same job.
The DesignLights Consortium (DLC), which sets commercial lighting performance standards, clearly illustrates this progress. For example, in 2015, the DLC's standard 4-foot LED tube requirements were around 100 lumens per watt. Today, DLC’s latest standards (version 5.1) demand roughly 120 lumens per watt for that same tube, about a 20% jump in efficiency.
Even more, standard fixtures have seen similar gains, with high bays garnering 50% improvement in efficiency (80 LPW to 120 LPW). So, what do these numbers really mean to you? The latest LED lighting can deliver the same illumination using far fewer watts.
Here are a couple of real-world examples of task lighting performance and not just lab metrics:
- Exterior Lighting: A decade ago, a standard LED wall pack fixture needed 43 watts to deliver approximately 4,125 lumens of light. Today, the equivalent generation can produce those same 4,125 lumens with only 23 watts, a 46% reduction in energy use for the same output and light quality.
- Interior Lighting: Eight years ago, a standard high bay in a warehouse used 316 watts to produce 41,000 lumens. The current generation only uses 250 watts to deliver that same output, a 21% reduction in energy use.
That's the power of improved LED efficacy and how it translates into lower electricity bills for any facility upgrading to the latest generation of LED lighting.
Another consideration is that newer LED lighting often comes with additional features that weren't available a decade ago. Now, field-adjustable capabilities are becoming standard so that the end user can adjust the level of illumination and color temperature for their space. Some organizations find that they can "right-size" their lighting, lowering the output to save energy while maintaining appropriate light levels for occupants. Furthermore, modern LED lighting has improved CRI (color rendering index) to render colors more accurately and naturally in spaces.
Notably, because DLC standards have risen, many rebate programs require new products to meet those more stringent standards to qualify for incentives. If your first-generation LED lighting doesn't meet today's DLC standards, that's another sign that your organization could benefit from an upgrade. All told, LED technology is continually advancing, and if you haven't kept up, you're missing out on the superior efficiency (and potential rebates) that the latest generation provides.
Real Energy Savings: A Hidden Opportunity In LED-to-LED Retrofits
Upgrading from fluorescent to LED was an obvious win. But, upgrading from LED to a newer LED? Many facility managers haven't even considered this a possibility and would assume the ROI might not justify it. However, the energy savings gained with today's LED lighting can be significant, especially if there was an early adoption close to a decade ago. Even a 20-30% wattage reduction can translate into immediate monthly savings when multiplied across hundreds of fixtures operating across multiple locations.
One hidden opportunity is timing your LED upgrade with the natural replacement cycle. Some LED lighting installed in the early 2010s is now approaching the end of its useful life. Rather than replace failed lamps at burnout or drivers one by one, doing a proactive LED-to-LED retrofit project could be smarter. An industry study from DNV noted that end users can expect a faster payback period of only half a year in this scenario. Even a complete retrofit of first-generation LED fixtures done earlier can pay for itself in as little as 2-6 years when you factor in energy savings and rebates.
Let's look at another real-world example. In 2015, a paint retail store in Minnesota upgraded its lighting from fluorescent to LED. New LED high bay fixtures that used about 130W each were installed, which was state-of-the-art at the time. Fast-forward today, a comparable high bay fixture would only use about 90W for the same light output. That's 30% energy savings by swapping to next-generation LEDs.
In that particular Minnesota project, the store qualified for a $75 per fixture rebate for installing the new high-efficiency LEDs, which helped bring the payback period down to around 2.4 years. If advanced controls like occupancy sensors had been added, the payback would be even quicker (not to mention the additional energy saved). This example isn't an outlier. Considering commercial LED lighting has been around for over a decade, reinvesting in an upgrade makes financial sense as technology leaps forward.
The bottom line is that facilities that have had "efficient" LED lighting since the early 2010s might be missing out on savings. Retrofitting first-generation TLEDs and fixtures with current high-efficacy replacements will directly lower your utility bills, and the monthly savings will become very real. Factoring in newly available rebates, the business case for an LED-to-LED retrofit becomes even more attractive.
LED-to-LED Rebates Are Real and Growing
When utility rebate programs started pushing LED lighting, they aimed to eliminate inefficient technologies like incandescent, HID, or fluorescent to better manage overall demand and meet energy savings goals. In those early days, rebates no longer applied if you already had LEDs. After all, you were ahead of the efficiency curve. But, times have changed.
Now that LED lighting has become common inside commercial facilities, utilities and incentive programs are raising the bar to match energy efficiency standards. Recently introduced LED-to-LED rebate programs are encouraging upgrades to the latest efficient models.
In the past, many prescriptive rebate programs wouldn't pay you to swap one LED solution for another. Now there's a fundamental shift happening. Here are a few examples of utility rebate programs evolving to include LED-to-LED upgrades:
- Avista Utilities in Idaho/Washington: Prescriptive $3 per T8/T5 LED lamp if the wattage is reduced by 3-4W, or $5 per lamp if the wattage is reduced by 5W or more.
- Xcel Energy in Minnesota: Prescriptive $3 per T8/T5 LED lamp upgrade from fluorescent or earlier-generation LED. $75 per fixture rebate for upgrading LED high bays to newer LED models. 25% bonus on LED-to-LED interior and exterior lighting (limited time).
- PSE&G in New Jersey: The utility will only consider an LED-to-LED incentive under individual custom applications if the upgrade demonstrates energy savings.
Many other utilities across North America are actively exploring or piloting LED-to-LED incentives as they realize the next wave of energy savings will come from improved LED lighting systems, since so many customers have already converted to LED.
The trend is clear: rebates aren't just for fluorescent-to-LED retrofits anymore. According to industry analysis, rebate programs are expected to embrace LED-to-LED upgrades as markets increasingly reach LED saturation. In fact, a recent report identified upgrading "LED-to-high-efficiency-LED" as one of the best opportunities for future energy savings, second only to adding advanced lighting controls.
So, if you thought you've missed out because you've already switched to LED lighting, think again. Utility rebates are evolving alongside the technology, and new LED upgrade incentives could significantly offset the cost of replacing current LED lighting systems with even more efficient ones.
How To Get LED-to-LED Rebates
You might think, "This sounds great, but how do I get these rebates for my facility's LED-to-LED upgrade?" Getting lighting rebates can be complicated, especially if you're unfamiliar with how these programs work. Different utilities and energy programs have different rules, and incentives often have special requirements.
First, it helps to understand the types of utility rebate programs out there:
- Prescriptive Rebates: These are predefined incentives for specific equipment (like “$4 per LED tube” or “$100 per high bay fixture”). Historically, prescriptive programs were strict about only covering upgrades from older tech to LED. Some are now adding LED-to-LED, but each program is unique. Qualifications must be considered carefully, and some require a minimum wattage reduction or DLC qualification.
- Custom Rebates: These programs don't list specific measures, but reward you based on energy reduction. A custom rebate usually involves submitting a calculation of how many kWh you’ll save by installing the new LED lighting versus what you have now. Most LED-to-LED projects should be considered as long as there are savings, but the utility must determine eligibility. Most don’t pursue custom rebates because of the extensive paperwork and analysis involved (often a utility engineer has to review and approve the savings claim).
- Midstream or Instant Rebates: These are discounts applied when you purchase LED lighting through a distributor. Many midstream programs simply require that the product you’re buying is efficient (often DLC-listed) and don’t even ask what you’re replacing. While this can be a convenient route for LED-to-LED upgrades, purchases must be made through a participating distributor, and the project must meet any volume or eligibility criteria.
Rebate eligibility can get tricky when prior incentives are involved. If a facility received a rebate on its original LED installation, some utilities require that the equipment stay in place for three to five years before offering another incentive. These policies aim to prevent "double dipping," but they also make timing a critical factor. Organizations need to review past rebate history and understand program rules to avoid missing out on future opportunities.
Qualification matters just as much as timing. If the new LED lamps or fixtures aren't DLC-listed or don't meet a program's efficiency standards, rebate dollars could be left on the table. Many utilities now offer tiered incentives: smaller rebates for modest efficiency gains and significantly larger payouts for deeper energy reductions. Choosing the right solution can be the difference between a minimal return and a major rebate win.
The rebate process can be a patchwork of paperwork, deadlines, and varying program requirements. Many facility teams miss out on LED-to-LED incentives simply because they’re unaware they exist or find the process too time-consuming. Partnering with an expert can make all the difference in uncovering opportunities and maximizing returns.
Why Partnering with US LED is Always The Right Choice
Navigating the technical challenges of a lighting upgrade doesn't have to fall on your shoulders. With US LED as a partner, what once felt like a complex project becomes a seamless, turnkey solution. As a trusted full-service provider, US LED manages every step, from audits and product selection to rebate processing and installation. Because of that, facility managers can stay focused on daily operations while capturing maximum value. Here’s what US LED brings to the table:
- Comprehensive Lighting Audit: US LED’s experts conduct on-site audits of existing lighting systems to identify areas for improvement. They assess light levels, fixture performance, and detect aging or underperforming equipment. This audit is the first step in revealing potential energy savings from an LED-to-LED upgrade and determining rebate eligibility.
- Custom Lighting Design: US LED designs systems using the latest LED technology, customized to meet the specific needs of each facility. Rather than a simple one-for-one replacement, the team evaluates layout improvements, fixture types, and advanced controls to maximize efficiency and performance. Detailed photometric layouts and project plans are provided to ensure complete clarity before installation begins.
- Rebate Management: US LED manages the rebate process to remove the complexity of securing LED upgrade incentives. Once the optimal LED lighting solutions are selected for a project, US LED identifies eligible LED-to-LED rebates and handles all required documentation, including forms, data sheets, and energy savings calculations. Everything is submitted directly to the appropriate utility or administrator to ensure the customer receives the maximum possible incentive with minimal effort.
- Project Management & Turnkey Installation: Upgrading lighting across a facility can be complex, but US LED's experienced project managers and certified installation crews simplify the process. The team coordinates installation around the facility's schedule to minimize disruptions, efficiently remove or retrofit existing fixtures, and install new LED lighting systems with precision and care. With end-to-end project management, every phase stays on track and within budget. US LED also assists with properly recycling old equipment and ensures the new lighting system is fully commissioned, including aiming, programming, and verifying full functionality.
Time to Rethink What “Upgrade” Really Means
"Upgrade" isn't a one-and-done event; it's a continuous mindset of improvement. Just because your facility has already made the switch to LED years ago doesn't mean you've reached peak efficiency. With today's higher performance standards and expanding rebate opportunities, now is the perfect time to rethink what an LED upgrade can do for you. The latest generation of LED technology delivers more savings, better performance, and new financial incentives.
Don’t leave money on the table! Contact US LED today to explore how a smart LED-to-LED upgrade can future-proof your facility and maximize your return on investment.
