British LED lighting manufacturer Acrospire is encouraging local authorities and contractors to consider LED retrofit projects as an alternative to replacing structurally sound street lighting lanterns.
The company has launched a lantern appraisal service that allows existing lighting assets to be assessed for retrofit suitability, helping organisations determine whether upgrades can be completed without replacing the entire lantern.
The initiative forms part of Acrospire’s wider focus on extending the lifespan of lighting infrastructure through LED retrofit technologies.
Built around the principle of upgrading internal components rather than replacing complete units, the company’s retrofit offering includes LED gear trays and optic assemblies designed to fit within existing lantern housings.
According to Acrospire, the approach can be used across both functional and decorative lighting schemes, helping local authorities improve energy efficiency while reducing material consumption and preserving the appearance of existing installations.
Assessing when retrofit is the right option
Acrospire says retrofit solutions can often be installed in less than 10 minutes per lantern, reducing disruption, traffic management requirements, and installation times compared with full replacement programmes.
The systems are compatible with a range of commonly installed lanterns, including heritage lighting stock.
One example is a project in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, where approximately 500 existing lanterns are being upgraded through a retrofit programme intended to retain the area’s existing streetscape while reducing energy consumption and maintenance requirements.
Tim Barker, Managing Director at Acrospire, says, “In many cases, existing lanterns still have years of structural life remaining, making retrofit a viable option for LED upgrades.
“However, every scheme is different. Some assets are well suited to retrofit, while others may be better suited to full replacement depending on condition, performance requirements, and long-term maintenance considerations.
“That’s why we encourage local authorities and contractors to involve our engineers early in the process. By assessing the existing lantern stock, we can help determine the most practical and cost-effective approach for each project.”
Acrospire says its appraisal service is intended to help local authorities identify the most appropriate upgrade path based on the condition and performance requirements of existing lighting assets.
Where lantern housings remain structurally sound, the company argues that retrofit can provide a lower-carbon and less disruptive route to LED lighting upgrades.
For more from Acrospire, click here.