LED Lighting for New Construction vs Retrofit: What Contractors Need to Know
Compare LED lighting approaches for new construction and retrofit projects. Covers wiring, code differences, cost analysis, and best practices for electrical contractors.
Whether you're wiring a new building or upgrading an existing one, the LED lighting approach differs significantly. Here's what every electrical contractor needs to know.
New Construction: Key Considerations
Code Compliance from Day One
New construction must meet the latest energy codes:
- IECC 2021: Lighting power density (LPD) limits by space type
- ASHRAE 90.1: Maximum watts per square foot
- Title 24 (California): Strictest state energy code
- Local amendments: Always check municipality requirements
Typical LPD Limits (Watts per Square Foot)
| Space Type | ASHRAE 90.1-2019 | Title 24-2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Office (open) | 0.61 W/sf | 0.55 W/sf |
| Retail | 0.84 W/sf | 0.80 W/sf |
| Warehouse | 0.45 W/sf | 0.40 W/sf |
| School | 0.72 W/sf | 0.65 W/sf |
| Healthcare | 0.89 W/sf | 0.80 W/sf |
Modern LED fixtures easily meet these limits — a 50W LED troffer in a 64 sq ft grid = 0.78 W/sf, which passes ASHRAE for retail.
New Construction Advantages
- Clean wire runs: No existing wiring constraints
- Optimal fixture placement: Design from scratch
- Integrated controls: Daylight harvesting, occupancy sensors built in
- Lower install cost: No demolition of old fixtures
Recommended Products for New Construction
- Offices: Auvolar LED Troffers or Flat Panels (at wholesale pricing)
- Warehouses: UFO High Bay with motion sensors (at wholesale pricing)
- Retail: Slim Downlights + Track Lighting (at wholesale pricing)
- Parking: OT Series Area Lights (at wholesale pricing)
Retrofit: Key Considerations
Assessing Existing Infrastructure
Before quoting a retrofit, check:
Common Retrofit Scenarios
#### Scenario 1: Warehouse MH to LED (Most Profitable)
- Remove: 400W Metal Halide fixtures
- Install: Auvolar UFO High Bay 150W
- Wiring: Reuse existing — just swap fixture and reconnect
- Time: 20-30 minutes per fixture
- Customer saves: $150-200/fixture/year in energy
- Payback: 3-6 months with rebates
#### Scenario 2: Office Fluorescent to LED
- Option A: LED tubes (Type B direct wire) — bypass ballast, 20 min each (see current pricing)
- Option B: New LED troffers — remove old troffer, drop in new, 15 min each (see current pricing)
- Recommendation: New troffers for cleaner look and better warranty
#### Scenario 3: Parking Lot HPS to LED
- Remove: HPS head from existing pole
- Install: Auvolar OT Series on same arm
- Add: Photocell (if not present)
- Time: 30-45 minutes per pole
- Customer saves: 50-60% energy + better white light
Retrofit ROI Example: 100-Fixture Warehouse
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 100× Auvolar UFO High Bay 150W | Contact for volume pricing |
| Installation labor (30 min × 100 @ $75/hr) | $3,750 |
| DLC utility rebate (100 × $60) | -$6,000 |
| Annual energy savings (250W × 100 × 4,380 hrs × $0.12) | $13,140/yr |
| Payback period | typically 6-12 months |
How Auvolar Supports Contractors
For both new construction and retrofit:
- Free photometric design: AGi32/DIALux layouts
- Submittal packages: Cut sheets, IES files, DLC certs
- Rebate assistance: We handle the paperwork
- Fast shipping: Ships within 1-2 business days from our California warehouse
- Technical support: Engineers available by phone
Contact: sales@auvolar.com | (626) 364-9198 | auvolar.com/services/contractor-network
Need Help With Your Lighting Project?
Auvolar provides free lighting design, photometric layouts, and rebate assistance for commercial projects.
Auvolar Engineering Team
City of Industry, California
Our engineering team has 15+ years of combined experience in commercial LED lighting design, photometric analysis, and energy-efficient building systems. We hold DLC QPL listing expertise and work directly with California utilities on rebate qualification. All technical content is reviewed by licensed electrical engineers.