LED Retrofit Project (51 posts)
From Outdated to Efficient: TRC Takes the Spotlight in LM&M’s 70th Anniversary Edition
Upgrading your lighting this year? Download the 2023 Xcel Energy LED Rebate Guide. Xcel Energy offers rebates that can help reduce the cost of your next lighting project.
September 25, 20232023 Xcel Energy Rebates in Minnesota
Upgrading your lighting this year? Download the 2023 Xcel Energy LED Rebate Guide. Xcel Energy offers rebates that can help reduce the cost of your next lighting project.
April 3, 2023
Prairie Island Ice Arena- Lighting Upgrade [Video]
A lighting upgrade at Prairie Island Ice Arena created maintenance savings, energy savings, and improved light quality.
December 28, 2022
Maintenance Savings at Red Wing Schools [Lighting Before & After Video]
District-wide maintenance savings with LED lighting upgrade at Red Wing Schools, 800,000+ sq ft and $250,000 utility rebate through Xcel.
September 30, 2022
Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities- Lighting Project (with Video!)
Retrofit Lighting & Design upgraded the exterior lighting & interior lighting at the Jerry Gamble Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities. We were able to improve the lighting quality and create a better environment for the kids, while also lowering the energy costs for the building. This upgrade created a $7,000 a year savings on an energy basis!
August 9, 2022
Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities Lighting Upgrade Sneak Peek (Video)
Retrofit Lighting & Design upgraded the exterior lighting & interior lighting at the Jerry Gamble Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities! The costs for this project were cut in half through rebates, grants, and partnerships. We were able to not only improve the lighting quality and create a better environment for the kids, but also lower the energy costs for the building.
July 27, 2022
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
25% Bonus Rebates for LED Tubes Now Available!
The One-Stop Efficiency Shop, sponsored by Xcel Energy, is now offering 25% more in rebates for LED tubes alongside their existing bonus rebates for interior DLC and DLC Premium fixtures.
July 11, 2022
Retrofit Electric – Sneak Peek of AMR Warehouse Project!
We’re not just doing lighting anymore! Check out our Retrofit Electric crew at work on an office-buildout project at the Advanced Masonry Restoration (AMR) Warehouse in St. Paul, MN!
July 7, 2022
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
Limited-Time 25% Bonus LED Lighting Rebates with Xcel Energy in Minnesota
Considering an LED Lighting Upgrade in 2022? If you are a business considering a lighting retrofit or upgrade to your facility, contact our Lighting Team to discuss how we partner with Xcel Energy and CEE for their Rebates Programs and how these 2022 Bonus LED Lighting Rebates can be utilized for your lighting project. These […]
April 11, 2022
Powerful Results of Full Color Lights in Special Ed Classrooms
Faribault Middle School, in Faribault, Minnesota, shared the powerful results of the full color tunable lights in their Special Education classrooms. Retrofit Lighting & Design upgraded the entire facility to LED lighting and installed full spectrum color tunable lights in both rooms, including a wall-mounted iPad and app based control systems. Teachers from Faribault Middle School share that they have observed reduced problem behaviors, increased patience in their students and staff, as well as more interest in their special education programs.
October 5, 2021
Warehouse Lighting Upgrade (Video)
Retrofit Lighting & Design upgraded the warehouse lighting & office lighting throughout a 30,000+ sq ft building for GNW Machine; a custom manufacturing business in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. The LED retrofit solutions have a payback on investment of approx. 1.7 years, include a large rebate from the utility company, provide increased accuracy, efficiency, overall productivity and a notable boost in employee morale.
September 3, 2021
How to Disinfect the Indoor Air at Your Business (Video)
Ventilation, air purifiers and air filtration systems are part of a safe and proactive plan to protect yourself and your business in this new age of heightened. We worked with Northern Force Dance Company in Blaine, MN to install 2 types of airborne virus and pathogen defense, killing >90% of airborne and surface viruses in 30 minutes.
December 7, 2020
Top 10 FAQ (List)
The Retrofit Companeis, Inc. had the pleasure of working with Johnson, Doerhoefer & Miner P.A. (JDM), at their Owatonna location, to improve their interior office lighting with a simple LED refresh. The Partners at JDM recognized the importance of proper workspace lighting and during, what some are calling, an economic recession, these financial gurus easily concluded that this efficient lighting was a no-brainer.
October 5, 2020
Office Lighting: Upgrading to LED During a Pandemic (Video)
The Retrofit Companeis, Inc. had the pleasure of working with Johnson, Doerhoefer & Miner P.A. (JDM), at their Owatonna location, to improve their interior office lighting with a simple LED refresh. The Partners at JDM recognized the importance of proper workspace lighting and during, what some are calling, an economic recession, these financial gurus easily concluded that this efficient lighting was a no-brainer.
September 24, 2020
Retail Lighting: Small Business Owners Support Each Other During Pandemic (Video)
TRC supports a local small business in Owatonna, MN with improved retail lighting, finding the best options for their budget, excellent rebates from local utilities, and huge savings during a tough time for businesses both small and large.
August 7, 2020
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
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
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
Tunable Lighting Improves Performance and Morale in Workplace
Advanced Masonry Restoration, of St. Paul, Minnesota, worked with TRC, custom Lighting and Design experts, to upgrade their office to the latest LED Tunable Lighting, fully equipped with customized controls in every room. Full color tuning available in every office allows employees to customize their settings to their personal preferences and increases productivity throughout the workplace.
May 5, 2020
5 Ways to Save Money When Your Building is Empty [checklist]
The Retrofit Companies, Inc., Lighting Designer and Contractor out of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Minnesota, provides suggestions on how to save money with a temporarily empty or semi-occupied building.
March 30, 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
Xcel Energy Solutions Expo 2019
Energy Champions Once again we were honored to exhibit at this year’s Xcel Energy Solutions Expo as a featured Energy Partner, sharing our knowledge and services that reduce energy usage and support customers in meeting their sustainability goals. This expo brings together energy champions in the industry to celebrate achievements in energy management, […]
November 11, 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
Annual Peacock Open 2019
TRC Keeps Company Culture and Customer Relations a Top Priority at Annual Golf Outing Southern Hills Golf Course The Retrofit Companies, Inc. has hosted an annual golf outing for nearly 20 years, bringing employees, customers and vendors together to celebrate successful partnerships. For nearly the past decade we have held our Peacock Open […]
August 30, 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
Customer Spotlight – Samaritan Bethany
PROJECT OVERVIEW Samaritan Bethany is a senior care facility in Rochester, MN. Coming up on their 100th Anniversary, Samaritan Bethany continues to serve the residents of their community by making sure their needs are met as they age. With the goal of having their facility feel like home, they strive to make the environment as […]
August 5, 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
Xcel Energy Efficiency Award Recipient – 2018
Energy Efficiency Partner Award Once again, The Retrofit Companies, Inc. is proud to accept the Energy Efficiency Partner Award as a Business Lighting Efficiency Program Winner. It is always an honor to be recognized as a top-tier trade partner and to be considered one of the most effective lighting trade allies. Thank you Xcel […]
April 29, 2019Another interview with Darin at Wausau Supplies : Exterior Lighting LED upgrade
Earlier this year, we completed his exterior lighting LED upgrade project, and Darin was nice enough to let us know how it went. “The outside of our building had traditional metal-halide bulbs on the building and on light posts. Very poor lighting and not cost effective at all…We were throwing money away!!”
September 23, 2017Interview with Darin at Wausau Supplies : HID to T8 to LED
Central Regional Manager for Wausau Supply Darin at Wausau Supplies has five locations to watch over. He “really appreciates the value of TRC doing a complete job – something you’re going to stand behind, that you’re going to do it the way that we want it, and listen to us. We’ve found that to be true with The Retrofit Companies.”
March 23, 2017Interview with Trent Lowe: Allied Parking LED Retrofit
Recently, we shared a new case study about an LED retrofit project recently completed at Allied Parking’s Gateway ramp located downtown Minneapolis. This facility is unique because the first floor is a layover terminal for MTC buses. Keep reading to find out why Trent felt that working with TRC was different than working with other contractors.
December 23, 2016Why Invest in a Lighting Study? (Video Interview)
Sweet Harvest facility manager, Brian Pleschcourt talks about his experience with an aging and inefficient lighting system, and tells us how the Lighting Redesign Study process worked for his facility. Read the interview now. Why did Sweet Harvest decide to replace the lighting in your facility? What were the issues you faced and what were some […]
November 23, 2016The Surprising Impact of Lighting Redesign
Primary issues with the old lighting, aside from being inefficient and expensive to operate, included cones of light and many shadows within the arena area. The customer began working with The Retrofit Companies to have a new lighting system designed and installed. Consultants from The Retrofit Companies designed a system where interior and exterior metal halide and incandescent fixtures were replaced with new LED fixtures.
October 23, 2016Exterior LED Lighting Upgrade
This hotel had inefficient metal halide and incandescent lamps lighting the exterior of their building, with many burned out lamps. The result was a poor quality light that demanded a fair amount of attention and money to maintain. Business managers decided to take action and develop a plan for their exterior LED lighting upgrade with help from The Retrofit Companies.
August 23, 2016Pros and Cons of T8 LED REPLACEMENTS
A couple weeks ago we shared a video showing how a T8 LED replacement bulb can catch fire if it is incorrectly installed. Because we have committed to being a vendor neutral company we thought a good approach to understanding this technology, and to help guide your decision making, would be to provide the perspective from many different angles, […]
April 23, 2016Retrofit Case Study: Interior and Exterior Lighting Upgrades
This church and school decided it was time to update the look of their facility and invest in energy-efficiency by implementing this full facility lighting upgrade and retrofit. The areas addressed in this project ranged from office and classrooms, to a gymnasium/auditorium, and a sanctuary space that required a dynamic lighting control system.
March 23, 2016Hazards of LED T8 Lamps
We believe that a lighting system should be functional and efficient. This is the obvious and most intended goal for retrofit projects we do, and we know many options are available. Knowing you have so many choices, we always share the future risks and maintenance scenarios to help our clients make informed decisions for the best long […]
March 23, 2016VIDEO of LED Motion Sensor Test in Warehouse
This space was redesigned to include energy-efficient LED fixtures on a system of motion sensors that control the on/off of fixtures as people and equipment, like the forklift seen in the video, move through the spaces. Take a look to see the both the rapid movement and slow movement tests.
February 23, 2016Instant 400 watt reduction with LED retrofit
This recent lighting retrofit case study comes from a larger project completed by The Retrofit Companies. We thought this was not only a visually impactful set of before & after photos, but energy use was reduced over 400 watts for each fixture replaced!
January 23, 2016Case Study: Test Fixtures & Exterior Lighting
For this exterior lighting project, the client is a company with facilities located nationwide. Their savings goals take into consideration the entire network of facilities, but we can see in this single project area how much of an impact that an HID to LED retrofit can make, visually and in energy savings.
January 23, 2016Lighting Redesign Using LED Technology
A lot of the time, we judge lighting projects on the very dramatic before and after photos we see. That’s certainly a very interesting and immediate way to judge success of a project, does it look better afterward? Well, not all projects look dramatically different before and after, even in the case of this lighting redesign. However, the results for this project are dramatic and easily measured.
October 23, 2015How a Single Variable Can Ruin a Lighting Project
it’s important to do your homework for every project, to look at photometrics, understand the products that are being specified in your project, and know how they will perform in real life. This knowledge is paramount to project success.
July 23, 2015Case Study: Hallway Lighting Retrofit
Deciding to take control of their maintenance costs by upgrading their hallways was a pretty simple decision for this school. An area with aging fixtures and astronomical replacement costs was a great target to start saving. The major problem? Fixture lenses were brittle, easily broken, and no longer manufactured meaning they cost a ton to replace.
October 23, 20149 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, 2014Lighting Before and After – Manufacturing Facility
Due to the nature of their business, Northern Iron & Machine required a fixture that would handle a more than 100 degree Fahrenheit ambient temperature. They wanted to redesign their lighting system with a long-term solution for optimum efficiency and minimal maintenance.
March 23, 2014My 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