Next Gen LEDs – Is It Time to Replace My LED Lighting?

This blog was originally published December 15, 2022, and was updated June 23, 2026.

Key Takeaways

Why should businesses consider LED-to-LED upgrades?

• Next-generation LED fixtures can reduce energy consumption by an additional 20% to 50% compared to first-generation LED systems.
• Modern LED lighting delivers higher luminous efficacy, improved color rendering, and greater operational flexibility.
• Many LED installations completed between 2010 and 2018 are approaching the end of their useful life.
• Utility companies are increasingly offering LED-to-LED rebate programs to encourage additional energy savings.
• Combining LED upgrades with advanced lighting controls can maximize savings and shorten project payback periods.

What Is an LED-to-LED Upgrade?

An LED-to-LED upgrade is the replacement of legacy LED fixtures installed between 2010 and 2018 with next-generation LED technology. While early LED systems revolutionized commercial lighting efficiency, modern fixtures can deliver an additional 20% to 50% reduction in energy consumption, improved lighting quality, advanced control capabilities, and access to new utility rebate opportunities.

Many facility managers assume that because they have already upgraded to LED lighting, there is little room for additional savings. However, LED technology has continued to evolve rapidly over the last decade. Today’s fixtures produce more light with less energy, offer field-adjustable settings, integrate with smart building systems, and often qualify for incentive programs that did not exist at the time of the original installation.

As utility companies continue to raise energy efficiency standards, LED-to-LED upgrades are emerging as one of the most overlooked opportunities to reduce operating costs and improve building performance.

Why Next-Generation LED Technology Is Different

Many commercial facilities still operate lighting systems that were considered cutting-edge a decade ago. While those systems were highly efficient compared to fluorescent and HID lighting, LED technology is substantially more advanced.

Just as most organizations would not expect a ten-year-old smartphone to deliver the same performance as a current model, facility managers should not assume older LED fixtures provide the same efficiency and functionality as newer products.

The biggest advancement has been in luminous efficacy, which measures how efficiently a light source converts electricity into visible light. Luminous efficacy is commonly measured in lumens per watt (LPW). The higher the LPW rating, the more light a fixture produces for every watt of electricity consumed.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC), a nonprofit organization that establishes performance standards for commercial lighting products, provides a useful benchmark for measuring these improvements.

Fixture Type	DLC Requirements (2015)	Current DLC Requirements
4-Foot LED Tubes	100 LPW	120 LPW
High Bays	80 LPW	120 LPW

These improvements allow facilities to achieve the same illumination levels while consuming significantly less energy.

Real Examples of LED Efficiency Improvements

The benefits of improved luminous efficacy extend beyond laboratory testing and directly impact utility costs.

A decade ago, a typical LED wall pack required approximately 43 watts to produce 4,125 lumens. A modern equivalent fixture can generate the same light output while consuming only 23 watts, reducing energy usage by approximately 46%.

Warehouse lighting has experienced similar improvements. Earlier-generation LED high bays often consumed approximately 316 watts to produce 41,000 lumens. Current-generation fixtures can achieve the same output using roughly 250 watts, reducing energy consumption by more than 20%.

For facilities operating hundreds or thousands of fixtures, these reductions can translate into substantial annual savings.

Better Light Quality Than First-Generation LEDs

Energy savings are only part of the story. Modern LED fixtures also provide significantly improved lighting quality.

Many early LED systems struggled with inconsistent color appearance and poor color rendering. Modern fixtures commonly feature higher color rendering index (CRI) ratings. CRI measures how accurately a light source reveals colors compared to natural daylight.

Higher CRI ratings help improve:

• Visual comfort
• Workplace productivity
• Retail merchandise appearance
• Safety and visibility
• Overall occupant experience

Modern fixtures also experience less color shift over time, helping maintain a consistent appearance throughout the life of the lighting system.

Greater Flexibility Through Smart Lighting Features

Many next-generation LED fixtures include built-in flexibility that was rarely available in early LED systems.

Field-adjustable fixtures allow facility managers to modify wattage, light output, and correlated color temperature (CCT), which refers to the warmth or coolness of the light produced.

Rather than replacing fixtures to meet changing operational needs, organizations can often adjust settings directly within the fixture.

This capability allows facilities to right-size lighting levels, reduce energy consumption, and create more customized environments for occupants.

How Long Do Commercial LED Fixtures Last?

Most commercial LED fixtures have lifespans between 50,000 and 100,000 hours, depending on product quality, operating conditions, and usage patterns.

Healthcare facilities operating twenty-four hours per day may reach the end of a fixture’s useful life within six to eight years. Office buildings that operate primarily during standard business hours may experience much longer lifespans.

Unlike fluorescent or incandescent lamps that suddenly fail, LEDs typically experience lumen depreciation. This means the fixture gradually produces less light over time.

Common signs that it may be time for an upgrade include:

• Reduced light output
• Driver failures
• Inconsistent lighting performance
• Increased maintenance requirements
• Difficulty sourcing replacement components

However, fixture failure is no longer the primary reason organizations pursue upgrades. For many facilities, the energy savings available through next-generation LED technology can justify replacement before complete failure occurs.

LED-to-LED Rebates Are Creating New Opportunities

Historically, utility rebate programs focused on helping customers transition from fluorescent, HID, and incandescent lighting technologies to LED systems. Once a facility converted to LED, additional lighting incentives were often unavailable.

As LED adoption reaches market saturation, utilities are searching for new ways to reduce energy demand. Many programs now recognize the significant savings available through LED-to-LED upgrades and are introducing incentives for projects that demonstrate measurable energy reductions.

Several utility programs already offer incentives for qualifying LED-to-LED projects.

Utility Program	Example Incentive
Avista Utilities	$3-$5 per qualifying LED lamp
Xcel Energy	Up to $75 per qualifying LED high bay
PSE&G	Custom incentives based on verified energy savings

Custom rebate programs are becoming particularly important because they evaluate projects based on projected kilowatt-hour (kWh) savings rather than the technology being replaced.

As a result, organizations that already operate LED lighting may still qualify for substantial incentives when upgrading to newer, more efficient systems.

Want to learn more about available LED-to-LED incentives? Read our complete guide to LED-to-LED rebates and utility incentive programs.

Maximize Savings with Advanced Lighting Controls

The most effective lighting projects often combine fixture upgrades with advanced controls.

According to industry research, networked lighting controls (NLC), which connect lighting systems via a centralized communication network, can significantly increase energy savings beyond those achieved by fixture upgrades alone.

Common lighting control strategies include:

Occupancy Sensors

Occupancy sensors automatically turn lights off when spaces are unoccupied, reducing unnecessary operating hours.

Daylight Harvesting

Daylight harvesting systems automatically reduce artificial lighting when natural daylight is available.

Networked Lighting Controls

NLC systems provide centralized management and allow facility managers to:

• Monitor energy usage
• Schedule lighting operation
• Create lighting zones
• Analyze occupancy trends
• Support broader smart building initiatives.

Many utility programs offer additional rebates for lighting controls, making them one of the most valuable additions to any LED upgrade project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an LED-to-LED upgrade?

An LED-to-LED upgrade is the process of replacing existing LED fixtures with newer, more efficient LED technology. Many facilities that installed LED lighting between 2010 and 2018 are now upgrading to Next Gen LEDs to reduce energy consumption, improve light quality, and take advantage of modern control capabilities.

What are Next Gen LEDs?

Next Gen LEDs are the latest generation of commercial LED lighting designed to deliver higher luminous efficacy, better color rendering, and greater flexibility than earlier LED systems. These improvements make Next Gen LEDs a popular choice for LED-to-LED upgrade projects.

Is an LED-to-LED upgrade worth the investment?

Yes. Many organizations find that LED-to-LED upgrades provide a strong return on investment through lower energy costs, reduced maintenance expenses, and improved lighting performance. Facilities upgrading to Next Gen LEDs often achieve energy savings of 20% to 50% compared to first-generation LED fixtures.

How much energy can LED-to-LED upgrades save?

Energy savings vary based on the age and efficiency of the existing lighting system. In many applications, LED-to-LED upgrades using Next Gen LEDs can reduce lighting energy consumption by 20% to 50% while maintaining the same or better light output.

Are rebates available for LED-to-LED upgrades?

Yes. Many utility companies now offer incentives for qualifying LED-to-LED upgrades that demonstrate measurable energy savings. Some rebate programs specifically encourage facilities to replace older LED fixtures with high-efficiency Next Gen LEDs that meet current performance standards.

Should lighting controls be included with an LED-to-LED upgrade?

In most cases, yes. Occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting systems, and networked lighting controls (NLC) can significantly increase the savings generated by LED-to-LED upgrades. Combining controls with Next Gen LEDs often delivers the greatest energy savings and may qualify for additional utility incentives.

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Existing LED Lighting?

Organizations that installed LED lighting between 2010 and 2018 may be missing significant opportunities to reduce energy costs, improve lighting quality, and capture utility incentives.

Advancements in luminous efficacy, fixture design, lighting controls, and rebate availability have created a compelling business case for LED-to-LED upgrades. What was considered high-performance lighting a decade ago may no longer meet today’s efficiency standards.

Evaluating your current lighting system can help identify opportunities to lower operating expenses, improve occupant comfort, and support long-term sustainability goals. Whether your organization is considering next-generation LED technology, advanced lighting controls, or available utility rebates, now is an ideal time to revisit your lighting strategy. Contact Action Services Group today to schedule a consultation and start optimizing your lighting strategy. Call 610-558-9773 or email [email protected] or schedule a call.