LED retrofit — energy savings that actually show up.
Switching incandescent and halogen to LED saves 70-85% of lighting energy use and extends bulb life 5-25×. The retrofit pays back in 1-3 years for most Marin homes. The technical execution — dimmer compatibility, color temperature, fixture-appropriate LEDs — determines whether the retrofit feels like an upgrade or a downgrade.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
LED retrofit in residential settings cuts lighting energy use 70-85% with comparable or better light quality when done properly. Marin retrofit cost: $0 for simple bulb swaps (DIY), $40-$120 per fixture for retrofit including dimmer upgrade where needed. Payback typically 1-3 years through energy savings. Common pitfalls: wrong color temperature, incompatible dimmers, low-CRI bulbs.
01Three approaches to LED retrofit.
Bulb-only swap
Replace incandescent/halogen bulbs with LED equivalents. Cheap and DIY-able. Works for non-dimmable fixtures or LED-compatible dimmers already in place. $5-$15 per bulb. The basic approach.
Fixture + dimmer retrofit
Replace fixture AND dimmer when existing dimmer isn't LED-compatible. Required for older incandescent dimmers (1980s-2000s) being upgraded to LED. $80-$220 per fixture/dimmer combination.
Full fixture replacement
Replace older fixtures with new LED-integrated fixtures (wafer cans, modern pendants, LED tracks). Better aesthetics and integrated dimming. $180-$420 per fixture installed.
02Common retrofit mistakes.
Wrong color temperature is the #1 mistake. Replacing warm 2700K incandescents with 5000K LEDs makes the home feel like a hospital. Most Marin homes should stay at 2700K or 3000K LED for living areas, kitchens, bedrooms. 4000K is acceptable in workshops and garages. 5000K is rarely the right answer for residential interiors.
Low-CRI LEDs is mistake #2. CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how accurately the light shows colors. Quality LEDs are CRI 90+ (excellent), acceptable LEDs are CRI 80+ (good), cheap LEDs are CRI 70-80 (visibly muted colors, food looks off, art looks wrong). The cost difference between CRI 80 and CRI 90+ is minor; the visible difference is substantial. We always spec CRI 90+ for retrofit projects.
Incompatible dimmers is mistake #3. Old incandescent dimmers don't work properly with LEDs — flicker, buzz, limited dim range. Replacing bulbs without replacing the dimmer creates this issue. Solution: upgrade dimmer to LED-rated (Lutron CL series, Leviton Decora Smart) at the same time as bulb swap.
03Typical ROI math.
Marin home with 40 active lighting fixtures, average 4 hours/day usage, PG&E rate ~$0.36/kWh (varies by tier and time of day): switching from incandescent (60W) to LED (9W equivalent) saves about $260-$340/year in energy. Total retrofit cost (bulbs only): $200-$600. Payback: 8-24 months. Switching from halogen (45W) to LED saves slightly less but still pays back in 1-2 years.
Beyond energy savings: LED lifespan is 25,000-50,000 hours vs incandescent 1,000-2,000 hours. At 4 hours/day, LEDs last 17-34 years vs incandescents at 0.7-1.4 years. The bulb replacement cost savings alone often justifies retrofit over 5-year horizon, before any energy savings.
Common questions.
Should I retrofit all my lights at once or gradually?
Either approach works. All-at-once gets you full energy savings immediately and consistent color temperature across the home — single project, one decision. Gradual retrofit fits tighter budgets and lets you live with smaller test groups before committing whole-house. Most Marin customers do a hybrid: retrofit major areas (kitchen, living, primary bedroom) at once, then handle remaining spaces as time/budget allow. Both fine.
Will my existing fixtures work with LED bulbs?
Most yes, with caveats. Standard incandescent fixtures (table lamps, ceiling fixtures, most pendants) work fine with LED bulbs. Halogen fixtures often need fixture-specific LED bulbs (MR16, MR11, GU10) which exist for most halogen types. Enclosed fixtures need LEDs rated for enclosed use (most modern LEDs are; check spec). Older fluorescent fixtures (T8, T12 tubes) work best with full fixture replacement rather than bulb-only retrofit.
Are LEDs really cheaper long-term?
Yes, substantially. Cost analysis for typical 60W incandescent vs 9W LED equivalent over 5 years (4 hrs/day usage, PG&E rate $0.36/kWh): incandescent $4.20 bulb cost + $158 energy = $162 total over 5 years. LED $8.50 bulb cost + $24 energy = $33 total. Savings: $129 per fixture over 5 years. Across 40 fixtures: $5,160 savings. The math is overwhelming.
Will LED retrofit hurt my home's resale value?
Improves it, slightly. Marin buyers generally see LED lighting as a feature, not a detractor. Quality LED retrofit (warm color temperature, dimming working properly, CRI 90+ bulbs) reads as 'efficient and updated.' Bad LED retrofit (cool 5000K everywhere, flickering dimmers, off-color light) reads as cheap. The retrofit quality matters; the technology choice itself is a small positive.
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.