Specialty Electric retrofits commercial lighting to LED for businesses across San Diego County. California's Energy Code (Title 24) matters here: when a retrofit alters enough of the fixtures in a space, its lighting power and controls requirements apply, while jobs limited to replacing lamps, ballasts or drivers, or adding controls, are exempt. When the job needs a permit, we pull it. Quotes are free.
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What we do
We retrofit commercial and industrial lighting to LED, including Envision fixtures. LED fixtures can work with lighting controls such as dimming and occupancy sensors. For the rest of our commercial work, see commercial electrical services.
Title 24 lighting requirements for retrofits
California's Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) has rules for lighting alterations in nonresidential buildings. When an alteration includes enough of the luminaires in an enclosed space, the altered lighting has to meet the code's lighting power limits and controls requirements. Alterations limited to adding lighting controls or replacing lamps, ballasts or drivers are exempt. Which side of the line your project falls on depends on its scope, so we tell you when we quote. Our guide to Title 24 lighting requirements covers more.
What to expect
- Permits
- When your job needs a permit, we pull it.
- Time on site
- It depends on the job. We give you the expected time with the quote.
- Price
- Every job is quoted before we start. The price depends on how difficult the labor is, how long it takes, and the cost of materials.
- Brands we install
- Envision
- Guarantee
- We guarantee our labor for life. Period.
Frequently asked questions
Does an LED retrofit have to meet Title 24?
It depends on the scope. When a lighting alteration includes enough of the luminaires in an enclosed space, California's Energy Code lighting power and controls requirements apply. Alterations limited to adding controls or replacing lamps, ballasts or drivers are exempt.
What lighting controls might a commercial retrofit need?
That depends on the space and on how much of the lighting is altered. The Energy Code sets the controls required for a lighting alteration; LED fixtures can work with controls such as dimming and occupancy sensors. We tell you what your project needs when we quote.
What brands do you install for commercial lighting?
Envision is more of our commercial brand, and it covers recessed lighting of all kinds. Tell us what your project calls for when you ask for a quote, and we tell you what the retrofit involves before any work starts.
How much does a commercial LED retrofit cost?
Every job is quoted before we start, and quotes are free, so we don't publish a flat price. Three things set it: how difficult the labor is (for example, ceiling height and access), how long the job takes, and the cost of the fixtures and materials.
Do you pull the permit for a commercial lighting retrofit?
When the job needs a permit, we pull it. In the City of San Diego, adding to or altering wiring needs an Electrical Permit, and the City issues it only to a licensed contractor or the property owner. We tell you when we quote.