Lighting is more than just a practical necessity. Lighting sets the tone of a space, shapes the atmosphere, and in many cases serves to provide an essential escape route during emergency situations.
As energy costs rise and sustainability becomes a bigger priority, many people face a difficult choice: keep the charm of their existing fittings, or replace them with something more modern. Retrofitting offers a better way forward, by allowing a perfectly good base to remain in place, saving any additional wiring and decoration. The addition of LED technology to this base provides a further five to seven years of functionality with the added benefit of increased efficiency.
At Coughtrie, we’ve been helping customers across homes, heritage projects, and commercial spaces make that transition without compromise. From stately homes to industrial interiors, our retrofitting service brings decades-old fittings back to life, giving them a sustainable, stylish future.
What does retrofitting mean?
To retrofit anything means to update the existing product with modern tech. In antique stores you might see a few wartime radios with bluetooth connection, for example, or dial telephones with a USB port for your mobile.
In our case, Coughtrie takes classic light fittings and upgrades them to include environmentally friendly LED light technology. It means you don’t have to sacrifice a style or an individual light fixture that might have been around for decades, if you find it’s no longer working as needed.
This is an important thought when it comes to heritage projects, stately homes, and character buildings – or just if you want to add a bit of character to your home.
Our website and socials are filled with examples, such as Daldowie Crematorium, who asked us to retrofit their original lighting with energy efficient LED light technology.
Why LED lights?
There are a lot of reasons why LED lights are famously the more environmentally friendly option. LED lights are famously the more powerful option, and that does factor into its impact on the environment.
In being a lot more powerful, they can be tweaked to fit into styles. They don’t have to be harsh or clinical, but can replicate the warmth or dim light of antique lighting. In turn, they use less energy.
On top of that, compared to traditional bulbs, LED lights use up to 80% less energy and only need to be upgraded every five to seven years.
Not to mention LED lights are pretty versatile. They can be programmed to dim, come in cool or warm tones, and can be designed to suit both industrial and elegant interiors.
What are the environmental benefits?
Not only are LED lights good for lowering your carbon footprint, but a lot of elements of retrofitting are.
Retrofitting is like the lighting equivalent of going to the thrift store, or sewing up your clothes rather than replacing them. You avoid waste by using and appreciating what you have, and fixing what isn’t working anymore. Not to mention, it’s more affordable.
Keeping the core materials, such as aluminium, brass and steel, and upgrading the tech means that these raw materials stay in circulation, rather than getting sent to the landfill, lowering manufacturing emissions and waste.
Where can I use retrofitted LED lights?
Just about anyone can opt for retrofitting rather than replacing. Some examples include:
- Residential:
Homeowners or renters can enjoy hallway ceiling lights, pendant lights, wall lights, etc. with energy efficiency and style. You can use lighting that has been with your home for decades, retrofitted with modern tech to dim, motion detect, and save energy.
- Heritage and stately homes:
Antique brass ceiling lights, swan neck light fittings: we have everything you need to preserve history in your latest heritage project. If other stores don’t fit the aesthetic, we can restore your original light fixtures rather than trying to look for something new.
- Commercial and industrial:
Coughtrie is an industrial lighting company first, so whether you’re kitting out a tower block or the hottest new restaurant, we can offer reliability with efficiency. If you have lights you’d like updating, we can help.
- Outdoor and security:
Our retrofitted lights can be upgraded to be motion sensor lights.
Case Study: Daldowie Crematorium
An example of our retrofitting expertise can be found at Daldowie Crematorium. In 2021, Coughtrie had the privilege of enhancing the calm atmosphere of Scotland’s busiest crematorium with our bespoke restoration service.
In a bid to cut energy costs and restore the building to its original glory, Coughtrie was approached to renovate and refurbish the existing lighting fixtures.
Our team stripped back, rebuilt and refinished the existing light fittings, which gave a certain Macintosh charm, in a matter of weeks. We made sure the new lighting had warm tones and dimmed LED boards. New diffusers were designed and formed to replace broken glass diffusers to help maintain the charm of the original fittings.
The result is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, lighting the way for countless families during their moments of remembrance.
It’s just one example of Coughtrie’s customer-focussed approach. As a company, we appreciate original light fittings and aim to refit rather than replace.
Why choose Coughtrie?
Coughtrie has over 80 years of experience in lighting solutions. Over that time, we have accumulated a customer-focussed ethos that is baked into everything from our designs to our tailored solutions to any situation.
Like our own business, we know how to grow with the times while still keeping traditional values. We can keep original aesthetics while tailoring a product to fit your needs with modern technology.
Conclusion
The benefits of retrofitting are as much about the wider picture as it is about getting you a great, reliable, product. Not only will you save money, but also energy, and lower waste.
Keep your project’s original style, with modern dimmers, sensors, and LED technology. Contact Coughtrie today to see how we can help you with retrofitting lighting solutions. Call one of our team to see how we can transform your space.