Conversion from fluorescent to LED tubes at IKEA

The Challenge

IKEA Switzerland faced the task of making the lighting for its car parks at all locations more efficient, sustainable and compliant with current regulations. The existing T8 and T5 fluorescent tubes caused high energy costs, required regular maintenance and no longer met today’s sustainability standards.

A lighting solution was needed that could be easily integrated into the existing infrastructure while reducing long-term operating costs.

The Solution – LED retrofit with GLT LED TUBES

A total of 14,000 old T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes were converted to GLT LED TUBES in a 1:1 retrofit process in compliance with IEC/EN 62776 by our partner Bilfinger — all carried out during ongoing operations in IKEA parking facilities across Switzerland.

The existing luminaires and fixtures were retained, professionally rewired, and the old drivers removed. The driver of the GLT LED TUBE is fully integrated into the tube itself, allowing future replacements to be performed easily by staff without electrical training.

As a result, maintenance costs are reduced to an absolute minimum — supported by the exceptionally long service life of up to 130,000 hours. The new LED lighting meets all technical standards and legal requirements for energy efficiency and sustainability. Thanks to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) of the GLT TUBE, all environmental impacts of the lighting can be transparently measured and documented.

Key advantages of our LED lighting retrofit for IKEA:

• Increased economic efficiency – reduction of energy and maintenance costs by approximately 80%.
• State-of-the-art LED lighting ensures optimal illumination and maximum safety in parking areas.
• Lower investment costs through retention of the existing lighting infrastructure and simple replacement of the light source.
• Sustainable solution: long service life, high recycling rate, and reuse of existing luminaires provide both ecological and economic benefits.

Key Benefits & Results

Conclusion

For more than ten years, GLT LED TUBESGLT LED TUBES have been operating in IKEA stores almost maintenance-free and without significant failures. The successful LED tube retrofit at IKEA Switzerland demonstrates how large areas such as car parks can be easily and cost-effectively converted to modern LED lighting.

With its LED retrofit design, high energy savings compared to T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes, and exceptional durability, the GLT LED TUBEGLT LED TUBE is the ideal solution for companies that value cost control, maintenance-free LED lighting, and sustainability.