High-bay LED: 50-70% energy savings.
LED high-bay fixtures replace metal halide and HID lighting in warehouses with massive energy savings, longer life, instant-on operation, and improved light quality. Standard upgrade for any pre-2018 warehouse.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
High-bay LED scope: fixture selection (linear LED or UFO/round LED) sized for ceiling height and target footcandles, fixture spacing per photometric analysis, mounting and electrical connection (often retrofit to existing conduit), motion or daylight sensor integration optional, controls integration with building management. Typical Marin warehouse retrofit (50-200 fixtures) $18,000-$80,000 depending on scope. ROI from energy savings: 2-4 years typical, plus reduced maintenance.
01Why LED high-bay dominates new installs and retrofits.
Metal halide and HID high-bay fixtures (the previous standard) have major drawbacks: high energy consumption (400W-1,000W typical for 4ft fixture equivalent), slow warm-up time (5-15 minutes from cold), short lamp life (10,000-20,000 hours), light degradation over life, poor color rendering. LED high-bay fixtures address all of these: 50-70% lower power consumption, instant-on, 50,000-100,000 hour life, minimal degradation, excellent color rendering (CRI 80+).
Energy savings ROI is compelling. Typical warehouse with 50 metal halide fixtures (400W each plus ballast losses) consumes ~25,000W when lit; equivalent LED fixtures consume ~7,500W. At commercial PG&E rates ($0.18-$0.28/kWh including demand), the savings on 12-hour daily operation amount to $15,000-$28,000 annually. ROI on $25,000 retrofit is 1.5-3 years. Maintenance savings (LED life 10x longer than metal halide) extends ROI advantage further.
02Fixture selection.
Linear LED high-bay
4-8 foot linear fixtures, often with multiple lamp tubes. Replaces fluorescent strip lighting in lower-ceiling warehouses (12-18 feet) and aisle lighting in racked warehouses. Cost $200-$500 per fixture installed.
UFO/round LED high-bay
Round downlight fixtures for 18-40+ foot ceilings. Higher lumen output per fixture. Better for open warehouse floors and high-ceiling spaces. Cost $250-$600 per fixture installed.
Wattage and lumen output
Typical: 100-150W LED for 20-30 foot ceilings, 150-240W for 30-40 foot ceilings, 240W+ for very high ceilings. Lumen output 15,000-32,000 lumens per fixture typical. Photometric analysis determines spacing for target footcandles.
03Controls integration.
Modern high-bay LED installations commonly include motion sensors and daylight sensors. Motion sensors keep lights at low level (10-30%) in unoccupied areas, ramping up when motion detected. Daylight sensors dim or turn off lights in areas with adequate natural light from skylights or windows. Combined motion + daylight reduces lighting energy 30-50% beyond LED savings alone. Adds modest cost ($50-$150 per fixture for integrated sensors).
California Title 24 requires automatic lighting controls in commercial spaces — occupancy sensing and daylight harvesting both mandated in many applications. Compliance with Title 24 is build/permit requirement for new construction and major retrofits. Most modern high-bay LED fixtures have integrated 0-10V dimming and sensor compatibility, simplifying compliance.
Common questions.
Can existing fixtures be retrofitted vs replaced?
Both approaches exist. LED retrofit kits replace lamps and ballast inside existing fixture housings — lower cost, faster install, but limited to certain fixture types and may have warranty implications. Full fixture replacement gives access to modern fixture design (better optics, integrated sensors, current warranty) — higher upfront cost but typically better long-term value. Most Marin warehouses choose full replacement; retrofit kits are stopgap for budget-constrained scenarios.
What about utility rebates?
PG&E offers commercial lighting rebates for qualifying LED upgrades. Rebate amounts vary by fixture type and program; typical: $50-$200 per fixture for high-bay LED. Programs change annually; we verify current programs at quote time and assist with rebate application. Rebates reduce effective install cost 10-25% typically — meaningful for larger projects.
How long does warehouse lighting retrofit take?
Project timeline: 2-8 weeks depending on fixture count and any electrical infrastructure changes. Install rate: 10-25 fixtures per day depending on access, height, existing electrical condition. Most retrofits don't require service shutdown — work occurs zone by zone with temporary lighting if needed. Schedule around operations: night work, weekend phases, sequential zone work.
Are there color temperature considerations?
LED fixtures come in 3000K (warm white), 4000K (neutral white), and 5000K (cool white/daylight) typically. Warehouse and industrial: 4000K-5000K standard for good visibility and color rendering. Retail and customer-facing: 3000K-4000K for warmer feel. Color temperature affects perceived environment — we discuss preference during quote. Modern fixtures sometimes offer field-selectable color temperature, providing flexibility.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Talk to a licensed electrician in Marin.
Family-run, C-10 #989290, 20+ years in the trade. Honest scoping, fair pricing, work that lasts.