Question 1

Can you replace existing exit and emergency signs without rewiring everything?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As an Atlanta outdoor lighting company and licensed contractor, Lights Over Atlanta can often replace exit signs and emergency lights using your existing wiring. We match the voltage and circuit, swap the fixture, and test battery backup. Rewiring is only needed when wiring is damaged or unsafe.

You can usually replace existing exit signs and emergency lights without rewiring everything. Most units are powered from normal building circuits, even when they have an internal battery for emergency operation.

On a typical replacement, Lights Over Atlanta verifies the circuit voltage, checks the junction box and mounting style, then swaps the fixture and tests charge and emergency mode. If you want an efficiency upgrade, we can convert existing fixtures to LED where appropriate, which helps cut service calls and keeps light output crisp.

You will only need new wiring when the existing conductors are damaged, unsafe, or not compatible with the new fixture, or when an inspection calls for a correction. That is where working with a licensed general electrical and low voltage contractor matters.

If you are planning broader improvements, we can bundle exit and emergency work into Commercial Lighting Installation, LED Retrofit and Conversion, or ongoing Lighting Maintenance, along with parking lot lighting and warehouse lighting support, so your property stays consistent and supports compliance expectations with less downtime.

Question 2

Can you retrofit existing parking lot pole lights to LED without replacing the poles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Lights Over Atlanta can retrofit your existing parking-lot poles with high-efficiency LED fixtures, so you keep the poles you already own. Our technicians remove old HID heads, install purpose-built LED luminaires or retrofit kits, match drivers to existing wiring, and bring everything up to code—saving you time, money, and disruption.

Upgrading your lot lighting doesn’t require tearing out sturdy steel poles. We specialize in LED outdoor lighting conversion across the greater Atlanta area for commercial and HOA properties, and many projects we complete reuse the original poles and underground wiring.

First, a certified technician inspects each pole for structural soundness and checks voltage, grounding, and fixture-mounting patterns. If the pole passes, we simply swap the outdated metal-halide or high-pressure-sodium heads for full-cutoff LED luminaires—or, when budget requires, insert an LED retrofit kit into the existing housing. We supply new drivers, photocells, or smart timers matched to your circuit so the system meets current energy and dark-sky guidelines. Because LEDs draw up to 70% less power and last 50,000+ hours, you’ll enjoy dramatic utility and maintenance savings without the capital expense of new poles or trenching.

The process is fast and turnkey. Every fixture carries a lifetime warranty, and our outdoor lighting maintenance program keeps your lot safely illuminated year-round.

With Lights Over Atlanta handling design, installation, and future service, you get brighter, safer, and more inviting parking without the hassle.

Question 3

How long does a typical commercial LED conversion project take?

Accepted Answer

Every commercial LED conversion is different. Timelines depend on both the scale (how large the property is) and the scope (how much work is included—simple fixture swaps vs. broader upgrades, controls, and permitting). Some projects can be completed in as little as a couple of weeks, while others take longer due to the size of the site, the complexity of the work, and scheduling or material availability.

There isn’t a single “standard” timeline for a commercial LED conversion, because no two properties are exactly alike. The total schedule depends on:

Scale: A single storefront, small lot, or one-building property typically moves faster than a multi-building campus or large parking area.
Scope: A straightforward low-voltage LED retrofit can be quicker than a project that includes a mixture of high and low-voltage fixture upgrades, lighting controls, or broader coverage improvements.

Most projects follow the same general stages:

Planning and coordination
After you approve the quote, we coordinate scheduling, confirm fixture selections, and handle any required permitting (if applicable). If specialty fixtures or controls are needed, lead times can also affect the schedule.
On-site installation
The on-site portion varies widely. Some sites can be upgraded with minimal disruption in a short window, while larger properties or more involved scopes may require additional time or a phased approach to keep key areas safely lit and accessible.
Final verification
Once installation is complete, we confirm the lighting is performing as intended—focused on consistent coverage, appropriate brightness, and a clean finished look.

If you want the most accurate estimate, the best next step is to contact our team. That allows us to size the project correctly, identify any constraints, and give you a timeline that fits your specific property and goals.

Question 4

Is it worth replacing high-pressure sodium (HPS) warehouse lights with LED?

Accepted Answer

For most warehouses, yes. Replacing High Pressure Sodium (HPS) high bays with LED high bay fixtures typically cuts energy use, gives instant-on brightness, and delivers more even light with fewer shadows. You also reduce lift calls and lamp changes at height, which improves uptime and safety.

Replacing HPS warehouse lights with LED is usually worth it because you get better light where work happens and you stop paying for warm-up time and frequent relamping. Older HID high bays can run hot, take time to reach full output, and fade as they age, which leads to shadows on aisles and rack faces.

Lights Over Atlanta designs Warehouse High Bay Lighting upgrades that focus on uniform brightness and glare control. We commonly use UFO round high bays for open areas and linear high bays for long aisles, conveyors, and pick paths. LEDs are instant-on, so they pair well with occupancy sensors and zone switching to cut wasted run-time without sacrificing safety.

Our Commercial LED Retrofit and Conversion process is simple: we start with a consultation to review ceiling height, rack layout, and task zones, then build a fixture and layout plan, coordinate lifts and install windows, and finish with final aiming and testing. If you want one partner for the whole site, we can also address Parking Lot Lighting, Emergency and Exit Lighting, and more to keep performance consistent.

Question 5

What areas of a commercial property are best candidates for LED retrofits?

Accepted Answer

Prime retrofit zones include high-burn fixtures that run all night: parking-lot poles, wall packs around doors, canopy lights, monument signage, façade accent uplights, pathway bollards, and landscape spotlights. Swapping these to LEDs slashes energy costs, boosts safety, and refreshes your brand curb appeal.

Commercial outdoor lighting Atlanta spaces shine brightest—and earn the fastest payback—when you begin your LED conversion with the fixtures that use the most power or affect customer safety.

Start at the curb. Parking-lot pole lights, garage fixtures, and canopy lights over drive-thru lanes burn dusk-to-dawn, so switching them to high-output LEDs can cut utility bills by up to 70% while delivering clearer, uniform light that helps cameras capture detail. Next, look at wall packs and doorway sconces that guide guests to your entry. Modern LED wall fixtures give instant-on security with no buzz or warm-up delay.

Your brand touchpoints come next. Monument signs, channel letters, and window display lights sell for you every night; retrofitting these with narrow-beam LEDs keeps colors true and draws the eye from the street. Follow the path farther in: walkway bollards, stair lights, and landscape uplights around trees and architectural columns create a welcoming mood and reduce trip hazards.

Lights Over Atlanta’s certified team handles every step so you enjoy a turnkey, warranty-backed upgrade. So you gain lower overhead, greater safety, and a property that looks as polished at 10 p.m. as it does at noon.

Question 6

What is a commercial LED retrofit, and how is it different from a full lighting replacement?

Accepted Answer

A commercial LED retrofit updates your existing commercial lighting by converting current fixtures to LED lamps, drivers, and controls, often reusing housings and mounting points. It is faster and less disruptive than a full replacement. Full lighting replacement removes old fixtures and installs new ones, sometimes changing layout and wiring.

Commercial LED retrofit is a smart way to upgrade commercial outdoor lighting without tearing everything out. With Lights Over Atlanta’s Commercial LED Retrofit & Conversion service, the upgrade might be a simple lamp swap, or a fuller conversion of housings, drivers, optics, and controls to match how your site is used. It all depends on the needs and goals of your business.

Retrofits are common for parking lots and exterior pole lights, parking garages, entrances and breezeways, and warehouses. Because you reuse much of the existing infrastructure, you typically get a faster install and less disruption to tenants, traffic flow, and daily operations, while gaining more uniform brightness, fewer dark pockets, and lower energy use.

A full lighting replacement is different. It means removing old fixtures and installing a brand-new system, often because the existing equipment is too outdated or inconsistent, or because you want a new lighting layout and look.

We’ll start with a consultation, build a clear plan with recommended fixture types and target coverage, install cleanly, then fine-tune aiming and testing on-site. If replacement makes more sense, we’ll say so and can support it through our Commercial Accent Lighting and LED Conversion services.