LEDs Expected to Eclipse Fluorescents in Retrofits

LEDs saw a significant uptick in 2013 and are expected to outpace fluorescent lighting in 2014 for retrofit installations, according to a survey conducted by lighting manufacturer Precision-Paragon.

Responses from 5,000 lighting industry professionals suggest LED installations jumped 12% in 2013 to make up 37% of the retrofit market, and the vast majority of respondents say they expect the overall energy-efficient lighting industry to experience further growth in 2014. When asked which lighting technology will be the dominant choice for retrofit projects in 2014, 49% of respondents predicted LEDs compared to 46% who expect linear fluorescent (see LEDs: The Future Is Here). 

“Our industry has seen steady growth in LED lighting performance and sales in recent years,” stated Joe Martin, Precision-Paragon vice president and general manager, in a press release. In the past three years of issuing the survey, reported LED installations grew an average of 8% per year. Meanwhile, according to the company’s own estimations, LED installation costs have been reduced by more than 60% since 2010 due to new light-engine and heat-sink technologies. Martin concludes that the survey results show “LED technology has advanced to the point that it can compete with fluorescent lighting in many applications.”