TRC Blog

LED Lighting Facts (24 posts)

A Cannabis grow farm with Retrofit Electric's logo and a note that says Let's Grow Together.

Electrical Solutions for Cannabis Facilities – Powering the Green Rush

At Retrofit Electric, we are a full-service woman owned electrical contractor with over 32 years of experience in lighting and electrical services. We can help Minnesota’s new commercial cannabis growers with all aspects of electrical work needed to build out their indoor facilities. From standard lighting and grow lighting, to dehumidification and HVAC systems specifically designed to maximize crop yields, we’ll make you glad you hired us.

September 6, 2024
Thank You, Xcel Energy, for recognizing Retrofit Electric as an Energy Efficiency Partner in 2024

Retrofit Electric Earns Xcel Energy’s 2024 Trade Partner Energy Efficiency Award

Retrofit Electric is thrilled to announce that we have once again been recognized by Xcel Energy and awarded the 2024 Trade Partner Energy Efficiency Award. This honor reaffirms our commitment to leading the way in sustainable electrical solutions.

September 6, 2024
business go green tips

5 Tips to Help Your Business Go Green!

Sustainability and green business practices are becoming increasingly important to customers. Check out our 5 tips to help your business go green!

December 12, 2022
WHY SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR METAL HALIDES WITH LED LIGHTS?

Why Should You Replace Your Metal Halides with LED Lights?

Making the switch from metal halides to LED can create huge energy savings and improved light quality.

November 16, 2022

Benefits of having LED Exterior Lighting during the Winter

Extreme weather and dark days make exterior lighting extra important during the winters, especially in Minnesota.

October 31, 2022
Double Bonus Rebate Dollars on Tubes

Double Bonus Rebate Dollars on Tubes for Limited Time!

Xcel is now offering double bonus rebate dollars on tubes for a limited time! If you have been thinking about upgrading your tube lighting, now is the time!

July 22, 2022
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING COMPANY NEAR ME – EVENTS ALL SEASON LONG (VIDEO)

Electronics Recycling Company Near Me – Events All Season Long (Video)

Electronics Recycling Events in Washington County, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Nebraska and more!

April 20, 2022
Iowa energy rebates increase by 50% starting July 1st, The Retrofit Companies, Inc.

Iowa Rebates Increase by 50% Effective July 1, 2020

Special recovery rebates from Xcel Energy for damaged businesses in Twin Cities, Minnesota. Learn if you qualify and The Retrofit Companies, Inc. can process these rebates and install your lighting upgrade for your business.

July 2, 2020
Recovery rebates from Xcel Energy for damaged businesses in Twin Cities, Minnesota

Special Recovery Rebates for Damaged Twin Cities Businesses

Special recovery rebates from Xcel Energy for damaged businesses in Twin Cities, Minnesota. Learn if you qualify and The Retrofit Companies, Inc. can process these rebates and install your lighting upgrade for your business.

July 1, 2020
LED Lighting Myths Minneapolis Minnesota

Myths about LED Lighting and LED Light Bulbs

LEDs are the new standard in efficient lighting. Here we explore some of the LED lighting myths you’ve heard about and discover the truth about this lighting option. Are they too expensive? Do they really last forever? Is every LED created equal? The Retrofit Companies, Inc. in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota, shares their expertise and solutions to these common lighting myths.

May 12, 2020

Advanced Lighting Controls: CLCP Certified

TRC’s Team of Lighting Professionals Recognized by NALMCO   CLCP Official! TRC’s entire Project Development team has received their Certified Lighting Controls Professional (CLCP) designation, placing them at the top of the competitive market within the lighting professionals industry.   As lighting and controls become increasingly complex, TRC is proud to provide our customers with […]

March 13, 2020

5 Things You Should Know About 2020 Energy Rebates in Minnesota

Minnesota rebate programs have been busy rolling out major updates to their 2020 rebate terms. Updates include “bonus rebates,” extended timelines, and newly qualifying lamps/tubes/fixtures.   This is big news for businesses that are considering a lighting retrofit or have been waiting for more incentives to support their lighting upgrade projects. LED lighting upgrades in […]

March 2, 2020

Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives Renewed Through 2020

An enormous and much needed boost to domestic green buildings was just pushed through congress, most notably supporting energy efficient commercial buildings.

January 20, 2020

5 Ways Lighting Reduces Operating Costs

Reducing Operational Costs Through Lighting Plans By: Bret Wobschall   Despite cost savings being just one of the many benefits of an LED retrofit, it is typically the primary justification of an organization doing an LED retrofit.  What many people don’t know is that there are still many cost savings that are not typically accounted […]

November 6, 2019

Importance of Proper Light Levels

Whether in industrial or office settings, lighting in your workplace is very important. Believe it or not, proper light levels may increase productivity and alertness in the workplace, whereas poor light levels could cause less productivity, along with health concerns. The perfect level of light can be measured by using foot-candles. Making sure the light-levels […]

September 16, 2019

Difference Between Residential and Commercial Grade Lighting

When shopping for light bulbs it is often hard to know the difference between one another because they all look so similar. You may wonder, “if they all look the same, do they all work the same?” The answer is no. Light bulbs come in all shapes and sizes but what you don’t see are […]

September 10, 2019

Flicker Effect with LED Lights

Thought the days of flickering lights were over? As lighting sources have evolved from fluorescent lighting systems to the highly efficient LED lighting systems, many thought the days of light flickering were over, but that’s not the case. Although LED lights have less flickering than fluorescent lighting systems, there are so many different LED tubes […]

September 3, 2019

LED Lighting – Understanding Color Temperature

Have you ever noticed multi-colored light coming from a light fixture and wonder why part of the fixture is yellow and part is blue, or white?   Being in the lighting industry, the staff here at The Retrofit Companies, Inc, notices far too often, that the color temperature of lighting solutions is overlooked. Lighting color […]

August 16, 2019

Understanding Energy-Efficient Product Certifications

What are Energy Star and DLC? On the packaging of many different energy efficient light bulbs and products, you may notice some approved by Energy Star, whereas others may be approved by the DLC. It is common for many consumers to be unaware of what these logos mean. We break down the two to give […]

August 1, 2019

Supporting The Interior Lighting Campaign

The Interior Lighting Campaign (ILC) is a recognition and guidance program from the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help facility owners and managers take advantage of energy-saving opportunities from high-efficiency interior lighting solutions. TRC is a proud supporter of this campaign!

May 20, 2019

Customer Spotlight – Amesbury Truth

Customer Spotlight featuring TRC’s Carl Murray, discussing the recent lighting upgrades at Amesbury, Truth in Owatonna in both their office spaces and their production areas.   PROJECT OVERVIEW Amesbury Truth, a leading provider of window and door components, has a rich history dating back to as early as 1914 where Truth Hardware began in a […]

May 1, 2019

LED Tunable Lighting – 3 Types

LED TUNABLE LIGHT LED Lighting continues to offer consumers more than just energy efficiency, and with new types of tunable lighting technology becoming more readily available, there are a variety of additional benefits. LED Luminaires, with the ability to deliver varying light color, have been on the market since early days of LED lighting, but the […]

December 24, 2018

9 Signs You Should Invest in LED Lighting

Deciding to invest in energy-efficiency is a decision that every company or business must come by on their own. Oftentimes, an investment in energy-efficiency will yield more than a return on investment. Let’s look at 9 signs that could be telling you it’s time to consider investing in LED Lighting

October 23, 2014

My T12 Lights Still Work – Why should I replace them?

Since 2005, starting with T12 magnetic ballasts, T12 lighting technologies have been slowly phased out. On July 14, 2012 the manufacturing of T12 lamps ceased for distribution. Along with the final phase out date came the end of some of the sweet-spot utility rebates that were being offered to utility customers who upgraded from inefficient T12 lighting to something better, like T8 or T5 lamps and ballasts.

February 23, 2014