As colleges and universities navigate the triple challenge of aging infrastructure, sustainability mandates, and compliance with new energy codes and regulations, now is the perfect time for simple fluorescent-to-LED upgrades that can be installed using your existing fixtures and control system.
LED retrofits are especially critical as more states adopt legislation banning the sale of fluorescent lamps to help eliminate the release of mercury into landfills. TLED retrofits offer a fast, efficient 1:1 replacement solution supporting campus resilience and performance goals.
Why Now? Capital Planning Meets Campus Timing
Most higher education institutions operate a fiscal year from July 1 through June 30, making the summer and early fall months a critical window for capital planning and facility upgrades. Mid-semester and summer breaks are ideal for low disruption retrofit projects that can deliver fast results.
The results are particularly compelling for lighting upgrades, where pre-kitted TLED retrofit kits are available for most common fluorescent fixtures without replacing fixtures or rewiring. With the right kit choice, your facilities team can make big progress in the few weeks before students return to class.
Fluorescent-to-LED Upgrades: An Easier Path Forward
Legacy fluorescent systems are quickly becoming obsolete, and in many states, they are already out of compliance due to mercury-reduction mandates. LED lighting is no longer just a green alternative; it’s the commercial standard. The U.S. Department of Energy projects LEDs will make up nearly 85% of lighting sales by 2035.
LEDs offer more than compliance. They last longer, perform better, and require less maintenance than fluorescent lamps. Yet many campus buildings—especially those built before 2000—still rely on aging fluorescent fixtures that are costly and frustrating to maintain. A TLED retrofit kit allows you to prolong the life of existing fixtures and controls without having to rewire. They also help improve light quality, slash service costs, and eliminate hard-to-replace burnout issues.
The result is a cost-effective, energy-efficient retrofit that minimizes labor, landfill waste, and disruption to daily operations. For the facility team, that means fewer emergency calls, lower energy bills, and more time for everything else.
Case Study: Moravian University
Moravian University in Pennsylvania tackled this challenge head-on. Looking to modernize lighting across several campus buildings, the university turned to a fluorescent-to-LED retrofit strategy to deliver energy savings without replacing fixtures. In one of the most substantial retrofits, they replaced the fluorescent ballasts and lamps in the competition and practice gymnasiums with TLED lamps and drivers. The project yielded impressive results:
- 55% energy savings
- Up to 24% more light output
- Zero additional landfill waste
Most notably, Moravian’s facilities team completed the project without replacing a single fixture. “We were able to meet our sustainability goals while preserving the integrity of our existing ceiling infrastructure,” said one campus facilities leader. “It was a win-win.”
For facility managers, energy savings are relatively easy to quantify. Still, potentially tremendous savings are associated with lower maintenance costs and fewer demands on a team that is typically already pressed for time.
While energy savings and light quality are key, upgraded lighting is essential for enhancing the campus experience, from classrooms to public areas to athletic facilities. High performance can boost student engagement and comfort, and help shape the perception of an innovative, future-forward campus.
What to Look for in a Retrofit Solution
When evaluating LED retrofit options, facilities managers should look for manufacturers who understand the nuances of campus planning cycles and can deliver resilient, scalable solutions. Here are a few key considerations:
- Fixture compatibility: Choose retrofit solutions that work with existing fixtures to avoid costly replacements and waste.
- Scalability: Look for options that fit within your budget and timeframe. Many retrofit kits can be purchased individually or in quantities that closely match the project scope.
- Long-term support: Work with manufacturers and contractors who provide support throughout the entire project.
Lighting the Path to a Resilient Future
Facilities teams are looking for solutions that help them quickly and efficiently solve problems with outdated fluorescent lighting. As universities accelerate their energy-savings and sustainability efforts, TLED retrofit kits represent one of the most accessible and effective paths to achieving this goal. They also support more comfortable, dynamic spaces for learning, working, and living.
And because LED lighting retrofits can often be completed without disrupting the space, they fit neatly into short project windows like summer breaks and pre-semester periods, helping facilities teams deliver high-visibility results in record time.
