Convert One Light to LED or Upgrade the Whole System?

Since the UK government phased out the production of halogen lights, more people have turned towards LED lighting in both commercial and residential buildings.

The widespread uptake of LED bulbs is mostly due to their environmental and cost-saving benefits, reducing both carbon footprints and energy bills for property owners. Even Edinburgh Council has switched to LED bulbs in streetlights across the city.

As a building manager or owner, you might not know where to start with upgrading to LED lights in your property. Is it simply a case of replacing your old bulb with an LED version, or is there more work to be done?

The short answer is: it depends! The compatibility of your lighting system with LED varies based on your fixtures and building wiring.

We’ve put together a guide to help you understand the process of upgrading to LED lighting – and when it’s time to call in a professional.

lumen electrical employee fitting an energy efficient lightbulb into a modern chandelier in a house in Edinburgh — lumen electrical employee fitting an energy efficient lightbulb into a modern chandelier in a house

Switching a single bulb

LED light bulbs are built to be compatible with traditional light sockets. In most cases, it’s just a matter of swapping out your old incandescent bulbs as they burn out with the more sustainable LED version.

While it’s better to upgrade all your lighting at once to take advantage of the savings, it’s not always possible. For some property managers, it’s easier to replace the bulbs as needed.

With tube lights, it’s more complicated. These work without the primer and ballast of traditional fluorescent lights and these components must be removed from the circuit before replacement. The same goes for bi-pin halogens, where you need to remove the 12V transformer or choose specific, compatible LED bulbs.

Electricity is something that every property owner should take seriously. When in doubt, it’s best to get advice from an experienced electrician rather than take a DIY approach.

Old or faulty wiring

If you want to upgrade the lighting in one of Edinburgh’s older flat buildings, consult a professional electrician to inspect the wiring for any faults and get everything up to code.

This is recommended for buildings older than 25 years. If there are any faults in the wiring, a trusted electrician can make any necessary repairs to ensure the LED upgrade process is as smooth and safe as possible.

Professional electricians can also advise on the compatibility of your existing fixtures and assist with the upgrade process where needed.

Lumen Electrical works exclusively in Edinburgh, so we have an in-depth knowledge of local building codes to complete your upgrades safely and efficiently.

Dimmable bulbs

Many LED bulbs are dimmable, but you’ll have to make some hardware changes if you already have a dimmer switch in your old lighting system.

To use dimmable LED lights, you must switch to a compatible dimmer switch before installing the new bulbs. Using your old dimmer switch can cause flickering or an annoying buzz when you turn on the lights.

If you don’t feel confident installing the new dimmer switch, it’s always worth consulting an electrician.

lumen electrical employee inspecting electric system in house in edinburgh with safety signs

Upgrading your whole system

It sometimes takes more work to upgrade your current lighting system to LED bulbs, as they won’t work in some fixtures.

Retrofitting is a process where your existing fixtures are adapted to be LED-compliant. In other cases, a whole new fixture might be necessary. This is more common in commercial buildings.

While these options come with higher upfront costs, you can benefit from the energy and cost savings of LED bulbs more quickly.

Beautiful modern interior with fireplace with well lit energy efficient lighting

Upgrade to LED with Lumen Electrical

We hope this blog has answered some of your questions about upgrading your lights to LED.

In many cases, it’s as simple as changing your bulbs. When in doubt, it’s always best to get an expert to assess your building and offer you guidance.

If you have more questions or you’re looking for professional, trustworthy advice on upgrading your lighting system to LED in your Edinburgh property, we would love to help.

Our experts can inspect your existing fixtures and wiring and replace your lighting system with an LED-compatible solution where necessary.

Get in touch today and we can send you a quote within 24 hours, including estimates on labour and materials.