Relamping is now emerging as one of the fastest, most effective, and most cost-efficient ways to reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings, industrial sites, and public facilities. As decarbonization intensify and regulations become more stringent, modernizing lighting is no longer simply a technical undertaking; it's a genuine driver of energy performance.
In this article, we revisit the definition of relamping, its concrete benefits for organizations, the regulatory obligations to be aware of, the existing financial aid, and the major steps of a successful project.
What is relamping?
Relamping, in French, means replacing old light sources with more efficient technologies, most often LED lamps. It is a term widely used in the field ofenergy efficiency, particularly for commercial, industrial, and public buildings. Relamping involves removing old bulbs (halogen, compact fluorescent, neon, sodium, etc.) and installing more energy-efficient and longer-lasting LEDs in their place.
Relamping: why is it a key issue for renovation and decarbonization?
According to Philippe Pelletier, president of the Sustainable Building Plan, "buildings are a key sector in our country's ecological transition." The commercial building sector is heavily involved, with ambitious targets set out in the tertiary sector decree: a 60% reduction in final energy consumption by 2050.
Lighting alone accounts for approximately 20% of this electricity consumption. Modernizing this area is therefore one of the first steps towards energy efficiency. As Philippe Pelletier points out, modernizing lighting, particularly by incorporating presence detection and automated management, can halve lighting-related energy consumption, resulting in an immediate reduction of around 10% in a building's overall energy bill.
Relamping is therefore a priority action: it provides quick, measurable results, and constitutes a first step towards a more comprehensive energy saving plan.
Objectives of relamping: savings, comfort and regulatory compliance
The benefits of relamping are numerous and measurable.
First, it allows energy consumption to be reduced by up to 70 to 80% depending on the technologies replaced.
Beyond the savings, relamping significantly reduces maintenance costs : LEDs have a lifespan of between 30,000 and 70,000 hours, which represents several years of peace of mind, even in intensive operation.
Visual comfort is also improved: more stable, flicker-free, more homogeneous light, better suited to uses, increases productivity and reduces eye strain.
Finally, relamping makes it possible to comply with increasingly strict regulations, whether it be the progressive ban on energy-intensive lamps, the lighting standards of the Labor Code or the requirements of the tertiary decree.
Where do they do relamping?
Offices
Office lighting is a major issue. According to ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), annual energy consumption for lighting in commercial reaches 7 TWh, representing 18% of their total electricity consumption. Effective lighting renovation can generate, per square meter renovated and per year:
- 39 kWh of energy saved,
- 2.6 kg of CO₂ avoided,
- €5 savings on your electricity bill,
- €3 maintenance savings,
- that's an overall saving of €8 per m² per year.
Warehouses and industrial sites
Industries workshops, production areas, and warehouses require powerful lighting, often used for extended periods. In these environments, the benefits of relamping are particularly noticeable: reduced operating costs, improved safety, better equipment durability, and fewer maintenance interventions at height (which are often costly and complex).
Communities (schools, gymnasiums, public buildings)
Local authorities have immense potential for savings. According to La Gazette des Communes, 40% of French public lighting is over 25 years old. Relamping therefore not only improves energy efficiency but also enhances comfort and safety in public buildings.
The benefits are just as significant in retail, outdoor parking lots or healthcare.
Regulatory Focus: What the Law Requires Regarding Lighting
Professional lighting is subject to numerous regulations.
The French Labor Code defines minimum lighting levels in workplaces (for example, 120 lux for work areas, 40 lux for internal circulation areas, and 200 lux for windowless rooms). It also mandates a maintenance manual detailing operation and maintenance procedures.
Thedecree of December 8, 2014 sets out requirements for enhanced lighting in public establishments and facilities open to the public, particularly for sensitive areas or circulation areas.
Thedecree of May 3, 2007, amended in 2017, imposes performance levels during renovations: absence detection, automatic dimming according to the amount of daylight, limits on installed power, etc.
Finally, the tertiary decree included in the Building Code obliges tertiary buildings to significantly reduce their energy consumption by 2030, 2040 and 2050, which inevitably involves modernizing lighting.
Why have LEDs become the standard?
LEDs have become ubiquitous because they combine energy efficiency, longevity, and lighting quality. They offer a lifespan of 30,000 to 70,000 hours(equivalent to 16 hours of operation per day, 5 days a week, over 12 years), instant start-up, no mercury, and very low energy consumption. They also generate very little heat, thus reducing the need for air conditioning.
For businesses, this is the most effective solution for reducing operating costs, especially when combined with intelligent management systems: presence detection, automatic variation, time programming, etc. These devices make it possible to simultaneously reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs.
How does a relamping project unfold?
A relamping project follows several structured steps.
It all starts with the diagnosis : analysis of the premises, the activity, the existing installation and the constraints. This step allows for the establishment of a clear set of specifications.
Next comes the project design phase, where the design office or lighting designer defines the appropriate lighting solutions: lighting levels, lighting atmospheres, type of luminaires, management systems, programming and maintenance plan.
The third step involves the removal and recycling of the old equipment. The removed light fixtures and tubes must be recycled through an approved channel such as ecosystem, which covers the processing costs and provides the necessary regulatory documentation.
Finally, theinstallation of the new equipment is carried out, followed by a check of the lighting levels, verification of the management system and the handing over of the maintenance booklet in accordance with the Labor Code.
Financial assistance available for a relamping project
Several mechanisms can be used to reduce investment costs.
The most common method is Energy Savings Certificates (CEE), particularly through the BAT-EQ-127 form dedicated to LED lighting. The grant depends on the number of lights installed and can cover a significant portion of the project.
The Eco-Energy Loan (PEE), offered by Bpifrance, supports very small and small businesses in their energy efficiency projects, with attractive conditions (subsidized rate, no personal guarantee, deferred repayment).
Other solutions exist: traditional bank financing, energy performance contracts, ACTEE schemes for local authorities, “lighting rental” solutions (LaaS – Light as a Service)…
How Powesco can support your relamping project
Powesco provides its expertise to support businesses (service and industrial sectors) and local authorities in their relamping projects, with:
- an energy audit to identify potential savings related to lighting;
- the design of an LED relamping plan (study of luminaires, choice of LED modules, optimization of layout, dimming, presence detection, etc.);
- a financial arrangement to maximize available aid (CEE, third-party financing, subsidies, etc.) and make the project profitable;
- a technical implementation, with qualified service providers to install the new lighting systems without disrupting your activities;
- performance monitoring ( consumption, maintenance, return on investment, ESCO energy performance contract ), to measure savings and adjust if necessary.
In summary
Relamping is a concrete, quick, and cost-effective way to modernize your lighting systems: it can generate significant savings, improve comfort and sustainability, while also meeting regulatory and environmental objectives. Thanks to partners like Powesco, businesses and local authorities can take the plunge without bearing all the risks alone.
FAQ: What is the environmental and economic impact of relamping?
Relamping is an effective way to reduce energy consumption and limit greenhouse gas emissions . By replacing incandescent, halogen, or compact fluorescent bulbs with energy -efficient LED bulbs , buildings can achieve a significant reduction in electricity bills , while contributing to the energy transition and compliance with the Grenelle Law .
Theeconomic impact is twofold: the initial investment cost is quickly offset by energy savings and reduced maintenance costs, thanks to the long lifespan of LEDs. Optimizingluminous flux, choosing the lighting system , and evaluatingluminous efficacy also improve lighting quality, whether in offices, common areas, or private residences.
Finally, relamping allows for the renewal of lighting fixtures without generating unnecessary waste, thanks to the recycling of old bulbs and light fixtures. This energy optimization helps reduce thecarbon footprint and integrates the building into a sustainable process, whereenergy efficiency and visual comfort go hand in hand with economic and environmental benefits.
Sources:
https://www.anem-mutualite.fr/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Ademe-renover-eclairage-tertaire.pdf
