Why Businesses Are Switching to LED
Metal halide fixtures have been the standard for commercial and industrial lighting for decades. But with LED technology now delivering equal or better light output at a fraction of the energy cost, the switch has become a no-brainer for facility managers and business owners.
The Numbers Don't Lie
A typical 400W metal halide fixture can be replaced with a 150W LED that produces the same — or better — light output. That's a 62% reduction in energy consumption per fixture.
Annual savings per fixture:
- Metal halide: 400W x 12 hours/day x 365 days = 1,752 kWh/year
- LED replacement: 150W x 12 hours/day x 365 days = 657 kWh/year
- Savings: 1,095 kWh/year per fixture
- At $0.12/kWh = $131.40 saved per fixture per year
For a warehouse with 50 fixtures, that's $6,570 in annual energy savings alone.
Maintenance Savings
Metal halide bulbs typically last 10,000-20,000 hours and require ballast replacements. LED fixtures last 100,000+ hours with zero maintenance.
- No more bucket truck rentals
- No more replacement bulbs
- No more ballast failures
- No more restrike wait times (metal halide takes 15-20 minutes to restart)
Light Quality Improvements
- Instant on/off — no warm-up time
- Better color rendering (CRI 80+ vs CRI 65 for metal halide)
- No flickering or buzzing
- Directional light — less wasted light
- Dimming capability — 0-10V standard on most LED fixtures
DLC Rebates
Many LED fixtures qualify for utility company rebates through the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) program. Rebates typically range from $20-$200+ per fixture, significantly reducing your upfront investment.
The Bottom Line
For most commercial buildings, LED retrofits pay for themselves in 1-3 years through energy savings alone. After that, it's pure profit. Combined with rebates, improved light quality, and zero maintenance, there's no reason to keep running metal halide.
Ready to make the switch? Browse our commercial LED fixtures or contact us for a free lighting assessment.