LED Replacement Guide

What LED wattage replaces your current metal halide, HPS, or fluorescent fixture? Complete conversion chart with lumen output, energy savings, and recommended products.

💡 Quick rule: Multiply your current wattage (including ballast) by 0.35-0.45 for the LED equivalent.

Metal Halide → LED Replacement

Current FixtureActual DrawLED ReplacementLED LumensSavings
1500W Metal Halide1575-1650W (with ballast)500-600W LED75,000-90,000 lm63-67%
1000W Metal Halide1080-1100W (with ballast)300-400W LED45,000-60,000 lm63-70%
750W Metal Halide810-825W (with ballast)240-300W LED36,000-45,000 lm64-70%
400W Metal Halide458-460W (with ballast)150-200W LED22,500-30,000 lm57-67%
250W Metal Halide288-295W (with ballast)100-120W LED15,000-18,000 lm59-65%
175W Metal Halide210-215W (with ballast)60-80W LED9,000-12,000 lm63-71%
150W Metal Halide185-190W (with ballast)50-60W LED7,500-9,000 lm68-73%
100W Metal Halide125-130W (with ballast)30-40W LED4,500-6,000 lm69-76%
70W Metal Halide95-100W (with ballast)20-30W LED3,000-4,500 lm70-79%

High Pressure Sodium (HPS) → LED Replacement

Current FixtureActual DrawLED ReplacementLED LumensSavings
1000W HPS1100W (with ballast)300-400W LED45,000-60,000 lm64-73%
400W HPS465W (with ballast)150-200W LED22,500-30,000 lm57-68%
250W HPS295W (with ballast)100-120W LED15,000-18,000 lm59-66%
150W HPS185W (with ballast)50-70W LED7,500-10,500 lm62-73%
100W HPS130W (with ballast)30-45W LED4,500-6,750 lm65-77%
70W HPS95W (with ballast)20-30W LED3,000-4,500 lm68-79%

Fluorescent → LED Replacement

Current FixtureActual DrawLED ReplacementLED LumensSavings
4-Lamp T8 (128W)128W (4×32W)40-50W LED Troffer5,000-6,500 lm61-69%
3-Lamp T8 (96W)96W (3×32W)30-40W LED Troffer3,750-5,000 lm58-69%
2-Lamp T8 (64W)64W (2×32W)20-30W LED Troffer2,500-3,750 lm53-69%
4-Lamp T12 (160W)160W (4×40W)40-50W LED Troffer5,000-6,500 lm69-75%
2-Lamp T5HO (116W)116W (2×54W + ballast)80-100W LED Linear High Bay12,000-15,000 lm14-31%
4-Lamp T5HO (232W)232W (4×54W + ballast)150W LED Linear High Bay22,500 lm35%
8ft T12 (75W)75W single lamp36-40W LED Strip4,500-5,000 lm47-52%

Key Takeaways

  • Always include ballast wattage — Metal halide ballasts add 15-20%, HPS add 10-15%, fluorescent adds 10-15%
  • LED saves 50-75% energy across all traditional lighting technologies
  • Full fixture replacement beats retrofit kits — 20-40% more efficient due to optimized optics
  • DLC Premium fixtures qualify for utility rebates — $50-200 per fixture in California
  • LED maintains output over time — MH loses 40% by mid-life; LED maintains 90%+ at 50,000 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

What LED replaces a 400W metal halide?

A 150-200W LED fixture replaces a 400W metal halide (which actually draws 458-460W with ballast). The LED produces 22,500-30,000 lumens at 130-150+ lm/W efficacy, matching or exceeding the usable light output of the metal halide. Energy savings: 57-67%. Typical payback: 6-18 months with utility rebates.

What LED replaces a 1000W metal halide?

A 300-400W LED replaces a 1000W metal halide (1080-1100W with ballast). This provides 45,000-60,000 lumens — sufficient for large parking lots and high-mast applications. Energy savings: 63-70%. The LED also eliminates the 15-minute MH warm-up and restrike delay.

What LED replaces a 400W HPS (high pressure sodium)?

A 150-200W LED replaces a 400W HPS (465W with ballast). LED provides 22,500-30,000 lumens with CRI 70-80+ compared to HPS CRI of 22. The LED also eliminates the orange color cast of HPS, dramatically improving visibility and safety. Energy savings: 57-68%.

What LED replaces a 4-lamp T8 fluorescent troffer?

A 40-50W LED troffer replaces a 128W 4-lamp T8 fluorescent fixture. The LED produces 5,000-6,500 lumens with better uniformity and no flicker. Options include full fixture replacement or retrofit kits. Energy savings: 61-69%. LED troffers also eliminate ballast hum and mercury disposal concerns.

Should I use LED retrofit kits or full fixture replacement?

Full fixture replacement is recommended for best results. LED fixtures are optically designed for directional LED output, while retrofit kits adapt LED to housings designed for omnidirectional lamps, losing 20-40% efficiency. Full replacement also qualifies for higher DLC rebates and provides a complete warranty.

How do I calculate the LED wattage I need to replace my current fixture?

Multiply your current fixture wattage (including ballast) by 0.35-0.45 for the approximate LED equivalent. Example: 400W MH × 0.40 = 160W LED. This factor works because LED efficacy (130-200 lm/W) is roughly 2.5× that of MH (80-100 lm/W) after accounting for directional efficiency and lumen maintenance.