The fastest return in commercial energy investment.

With saveONenergy Retrofit Incentive Program funding, commercial LED retrofits in Ontario typically achieve payback in one to three years. Without incentives, payback is typically two to five years depending on current fixture type, operating hours, and local electricity rates. The fastest payback is in facilities with the oldest, highest-wattage legacy fixtures running the longest hours — which describes most large manufacturing and warehouse environments. LED retrofits consistently deliver the shortest payback of any commercial energy measure.

The IESO saveONenergy Retrofit Program provides incentives for commercial LED lighting upgrades in Ontario through two primary approaches: Prescriptive incentives: Fixed incentive amounts based on approved fixture and retrofit types Custom incentives: Calculated based on verified reductions in electricity consumption (kWh) and electrical demand (kW) for more complex or larger-scale projects Most straightforward LED retrofit projects qualify under the prescriptive stream, while facilities with more advanced lighting systems, controls strategies, or larger energy reductions may benefit from a custom engineering approach. Incentive amounts vary based on fixture type, operating hours, project scale, and the total energy and demand reductions achieved. GI manages the full incentive process as part of the project scope—including eligibility review, application preparation, supporting documentation, submission coordination, and final incentive payout support.

Commercial LED lighting retrofits can be disruptive if they are not properly planned—but experienced project coordination significantly reduces operational impact. Most commercial and industrial LED retrofit projects are completed in phases, with installation scheduled around production hours, shift changes, occupancy schedules, and operational requirements. Work can often be completed area-by-area without requiring a full facility shutdown. For manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centres, and 24/7 operations, careful sequencing is critical. Temporary lighting, lift coordination, electrical shutdown planning, and safety procedures all need to be managed to maintain productivity and site safety throughout the retrofit process. GI has completed LED retrofits in active commercial and industrial environments ranging from warehouses and food manufacturing facilities to complex operating facilities with continuous production requirements. The installation approach is developed around the facility. In most cases, the largest operational risk is not the installation itself, but poor planning and coordination. A properly managed retrofit minimizes disruption while improving lighting quality, reducing maintenance requirements, and lowering ongoing electricity costs.

LED lighting systems use significantly less electricity than traditional fluorescent fixtures while delivering the same—or better—light output. In most commercial and industrial facilities, LED retrofits reduce lighting energy consumption by 40–70%, while also lowering maintenance requirements and improving overall lighting quality. One of the biggest differences is system lifespan. Industrial-grade LED fixtures commonly operate for 50,000–100,000+ hours, compared to roughly 10,000–20,000 hours for fluorescent systems. This substantially reduces lamp replacements, ballast failures, maintenance labour, and lift rental costs in high-bay or difficult-to-access environments. LED systems also perform better in demanding industrial conditions, including: Cold storage and low-temperature environments Facilities with vibration or mechanical movement Long operating-hour applications Warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centres requiring consistent illumination levels Unlike fluorescent fixtures, LED systems maintain more stable light output over time, reach full brightness instantly, and integrate more effectively with occupancy sensors, daylight controls, and advanced energy management strategies. For many industrial facilities, the upgrade is not just about energy savings—it is also about improving visibility, safety, maintenance efficiency, and long-term operating costs.

Yes — LED fixtures draw less power than the legacy fixtures they replace, which reduces the facility’s electrical demand in real time. In facilities where lighting operates during peak demand windows, the reduction in lighting load contributes directly to a lower demand figure and a lower monthly demand charge. For facilities where lighting represents a significant share of total load, the demand saving can be material.

Yes — LED retrofits reduce baseline consumption before a solar system is sized. A smaller solar system sized to a lower, optimised baseline costs less in capital and achieves better performance across its operating life. The saveONenergy Retrofit Incentive Program for LED and the solar incentive program can be stacked on the same project — reducing the upfront cost of both investments simultaneously.