LED Retrofit Fact Check: Cost-effective, sustainable and legally compliant modernisation
Especially in luminaires with T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes, LED retrofit offers clear advantages: significantly lower energy consumption, long service life, reduced maintenance costs, and a measurably improved environmental footprint. Functional luminaires do not need to be disposed of – they can be sustainably reused.
The experts at German LED Tech present 8 facts explaining why LED retrofit is now the most cost-effective and sustainable solution for companies – and what you must pay close attention to when converting.
1. Preserve existing lighting systems – LED retrofit instead of disposal
With LED retrofit, standardised luminaire housings and sockets remain in place. Only defective or safety-relevant components are replaced. Qualified electricians remove typical sources of failure such as outdated ballasts or replace damaged sockets.
This avoids electronic waste, reduces costs, and makes LED retrofit a responsible alternative to complete replacement.
2. Future-proof LED lighting through standardised systems
After conversion, companies benefit from a standardised, manufacturer-independent lighting system. Standard G5 and G13 sockets allow 1:1 replacement of compatible LED light sources – without electrical expertise.
This creates long-term investment security.
3. LED retrofit is economical – the quality of the light source is decisive
Not all LED retrofit lamps are equivalent. Low-quality products lead to failures, higher maintenance costs, and reduced savings.
Key factors are energy consumption, service life, and standards-compliant safety. The GLT LED TUBE offers a service life of 130,000 hours, is ENEC-certified according to EN 62776, Made in Germany, shatter-proof, flicker-free, and 90% recyclable. The failure rate is below 1% at 50,000 hours.
4. Reduce maintenance costs – lamp replacement without a specialist
High-quality LED tubes such as the GLT LED TUBE operate directly on 230 V. Ballasts are eliminated and surge protection is integrated, minimising potential failure points.
Lamp replacement can be carried out easily by the user when required. In contrast, proprietary LED systems create manufacturer dependency, high maintenance costs, and require complete disposal at end of life.
5. Cost efficiency without complex lighting planning
LED retrofit allows a transparent cost-efficiency calculation at a glance. Three values are decisive: number of lamps to be replaced, average electricity price, and average operating time.
This calculation includes profitability, energy and CO₂ savings, and reduced maintenance costs. Naturally, we guarantee the required illuminance levels and healthy, flicker-free lighting. All agreed guarantees and certifications apply to the complete system – both the retrofit process and the light sources.
6. LED retrofit is legally safe – tested and standards-compliant
LED retrofit using high-quality, tested products is standards-compliant and legally permissible when implemented correctly.
Key requirements include:
- use of LED retrofit light sources in accordance with EN 62776
- professional installation by qualified electricians, especially in systems with ECG
- replacement of outdated or safety-critical components
When properly implemented, LED retrofit is not a risk factor but represents the state of the art in professional lighting modernisation.
Companies benefit long term from:
- clearly calculable cost efficiency
- durable, standards-compliant technology
- manufacturer-independent, future-proof systems
- strategic sustainability for business and the environment
7. Strategic sustainability for companies
LED retrofit creates an open, standardised lighting system without manufacturer lock-in and without disposable products. Resources are conserved, waste is avoided, and existing infrastructures remain usable in the long term.
For companies, this means:
- measurable improvement of environmental performance through transparent impact assessment
- ESG-compliant investment decisions based on verified product data
- long-term cost stability through manufacturer-independent replacement
A key role is played by the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). EPDs enable standardised measurement and comparability of the environmental impact of LED light sources over their entire life cycle – from production to recycling. They provide a reliable basis for sustainability reports, CO₂ balances, and ESG disclosures.
The GLT LED TUBE features a verified EPD, enabling companies to objectively assess lighting within their sustainability and climate strategies.
8. Circular economy through the GLT multi-use system
At German LED Tech, we take a holistic view of sustainability. With our Circular Lighting approach, we conserve valuable resources. The GLT LED TUBE achieves a repair and recycling rate of over 90%. At the end of its service life, we take back the light sources and provide a refund of EUR 5 per returned GLT LED TUBE when purchasing a new GLT LED TUBE.
- GLT multi-use system: take-back, repair, and recycling in a closed loop
- Resource conservation: significant reduction of waste and raw material consumption
- Attractive compensation: tangible economic benefits when replacing old GLT light sources