LED Retrofit & System Maintenance

The most common halogen lamp in residential landscape lighting is the MR16 bi-pin, available in wattages from 10 to 75 watts. Our standard LED replacements use 2 to 7 watts to achieve equivalent light output, with a 3-watt LED producing approximately the same 200 to 250 lumens as a 20-watt halogen, a 5-watt LED matching a 35-watt halogen, and a 7-watt LED replacing a 50-watt halogen. These replacements use the same GU5.3 bi-pin base, dropping directly into existing halogen sockets without modification. The reduced heat output of LEDs also extends the life of fixture gaskets, lenses, and housing finishes that degraded rapidly under halogen's intense thermal output.

Transformer compatibility is the most critical technical consideration in any LED retrofit. Older magnetic transformers rely on a minimum load to maintain stable voltage regulation, typically requiring at least 50 to 60 percent of rated capacity. A 600-watt transformer that previously powered 400 watts of halogen may receive only 60 watts from LED replacements, well below its minimum threshold. Symptoms of transformer underloading include audible buzzing, LED flickering, and erratic dimming behavior. We resolve this by either replacing the transformer with a properly sized unit, adding a minimum load resistor, or consolidating multiple underloaded transformers into a single appropriately rated unit.

Voltage drop across long wire runs affects LED performance differently than halogen. While halogen lamps tolerate a wider voltage range, dimming gradually as voltage decreases, LEDs have a narrower operating window and may flicker, change color, or shut off entirely if voltage drops below their minimum threshold. We measure voltage at the beginning and end of every wire run and calculate drop based on wire gauge, run length, and total connected load. Where drop exceeds acceptable limits, we install hub or tee wiring configurations that shorten individual run lengths, or upgrade wire gauge to reduce resistance. This ensures every fixture in your system receives stable, adequate voltage.

Integrated LED fixtures represent an alternative to lamp-based retrofits for systems where the original fixtures are severely degraded or use non-standard lamp bases. Integrated units contain the LED light engine, driver electronics, and optics in a sealed, weatherproof assembly rated for 50,000 hours or more. They eliminate the lamp socket as a potential point of failure and typically offer superior optical control compared to retrofit lamps installed in housings designed for halogen. The trade-off is that when the LED eventually reaches end of life, the entire fixture must be replaced rather than simply swapping a lamp. For new installations and heavily damaged systems, integrated fixtures are often the most reliable long-term choice.

How much energy will I actually save by switching from halogen to LED landscape lighting?

The energy savings from an LED retrofit are substantial and immediate. A typical residential landscape lighting system with twenty halogen fixtures using 20-watt MR16 lamps consumes 400 watts during operation. The same twenty fixtures with 3-watt LED replacements consume only 60 watts, a reduction of 85 percent. If your system runs six hours per night, that translates from approximately 876 kilowatt-hours per year down to about 131 kilowatt-hours. At current electricity rates in the Lake Wylie and Charlotte area, most homeowners see a return on their LED investment within two to three years through energy savings alone, with the additional benefit of far fewer lamp replacements.

Can I replace halogen MR16 lamps with LED myself, or do I need a professional?

While physically swapping an MR16 bi-pin lamp is straightforward, a professional retrofit addresses critical issues that a simple lamp swap ignores. Your transformer may not regulate properly at the reduced LED load, causing flickering or premature failure. Voltage drop characteristics change with LED loads, potentially causing fixtures at the end of long wire runs to perform poorly. A professional also tests your wiring integrity, identifies corroded connections that could cause intermittent problems, and ensures all fixtures receive stable voltage within the LED manufacturer's specifications. The cost of professional service is modest compared to the risk of damaging new LED lamps by installing them in an incompatible system.

Will LED replacement lamps look the same as my existing halogen lamps?

Modern LED MR16 lamps at 2700K produce a warm white light that is virtually indistinguishable from halogen to most people. Halogen lamps naturally produce light at approximately 2800K to 3000K, so a 2700K LED is actually slightly warmer in tone. The biggest visual difference most homeowners notice is that LED light is more consistent, as every lamp produces the same color temperature and brightness, whereas aged halogen lamps often vary in color and output. LED beams tend to have slightly sharper edges than halogen, but this is only noticeable in side-by-side comparison on a flat wall. In actual landscape applications illuminating trees, facades, and gardens, the difference is imperceptible.

What happens to my transformer when I switch to LED?

This is one of the most important aspects of a professional LED retrofit. Your existing transformer was sized for the wattage of your halogen system. When you dramatically reduce the load by switching to LED, the transformer may operate below its minimum load threshold. Magnetic transformers, the type used in most halogen-era installations, typically need at least 50 to 60 percent of their rated capacity to regulate voltage properly. Below that threshold, they can buzz, overheat, or deliver unstable voltage that damages LEDs. We evaluate your transformer during the retrofit and either adjust it, add load compensation, or replace it with a properly sized unit designed for LED loads.

How long do LED landscape lighting lamps last compared to halogen?

LED landscape lamps are rated for 25,000 to 50,000 hours of operation, compared to 2,000 to 5,000 hours for halogen MR16 lamps. For a system that runs six hours per night, a halogen lamp lasts approximately one to two years before needing replacement, while an LED lamp lasts eleven to twenty-two years. This difference is especially significant in landscape lighting, where lamp replacement requires locating fixtures in garden beds, removing stakes or housing covers, and potentially disturbing plantings. Over a ten-year period, a twenty-fixture system would require approximately 100 to 200 halogen lamp changes versus zero to two LED replacements, representing substantial savings in both parts and labor.

My landscape lighting has some fixtures that are dim and others that are bright. Can a retrofit fix this?

Uneven brightness is one of the most common problems in aging halogen systems and typically results from voltage drop across long wire runs, corroded connections increasing resistance, or a mix of new and old lamps with different output levels. An LED retrofit combined with a wire and connection inspection is the ideal solution. LED lamps are less sensitive to minor voltage variations than halogen, producing more consistent brightness across your system. We also address the root causes by repairing corroded connections, upgrading wire gauge on long runs, and ensuring your transformer delivers proper voltage to every zone. After our retrofit, you should see uniform brightness and color across every fixture.

What is the difference between an LED retrofit and a complete system replacement?

An LED retrofit preserves your existing fixtures, wiring layout, and design while upgrading the lamps and addressing any component issues. It is the most cost-effective option when your fixtures are in good structural condition and properly positioned. A complete system replacement involves removing the existing system and installing new fixtures, wiring, and transformers from scratch. This is recommended when fixtures are severely corroded, wiring has extensive damage, or the original design no longer suits your property due to landscape changes. Many projects fall somewhere in between, with some fixtures retrofitted, some replaced, and select wire runs upgraded.

Do you service landscape lighting systems that were installed by other companies?

Absolutely. A significant portion of our retrofit and repair work involves systems originally installed by other companies, some of which may no longer be in business. We work with all major fixture manufacturers and are experienced with the various wiring methods, connector types, and transformer brands used across the industry. During our initial assessment, we identify all components in your system regardless of origin and develop a retrofit plan using compatible, high-quality replacement parts. If your original installer is no longer available, we are happy to become your ongoing service provider with annual maintenance plans that keep your system performing optimally.

How long does an LED retrofit take to complete?

Most residential LED retrofits are completed in a single day. A typical twenty-fixture system with lamp replacement, connection inspection, and transformer adjustment takes four to six hours. Systems requiring wire replacement or fixture upgrades may take one to two days depending on the extent of the work and the amount of trenching needed for new cable runs. We schedule the initial assessment and nighttime calibration as separate visits, with the assessment typically taking one to two hours and the night calibration about an hour. We provide a detailed timeline with your proposal so you know exactly what to expect. Emergency repairs for failed systems can often be completed same-day or next-day.

What warranty do you provide on LED retrofit work?

Fireflies Landscape Lighting provides a lifetime warranty on all workmanship, covering the installation labor for any components we install or repair. LED lamps and fixtures carry the manufacturer's warranty, which is typically three to five years for lamps and five to fifteen years for fixtures depending on the brand. Transformers carry manufacturer warranties of three to ten years. If any component we installed fails within its warranty period, we handle the replacement at no labor cost to you. We also offer annual maintenance plans that include proactive inspection and testing to identify potential issues before they cause failures, extending the practical life of your system well beyond warranty periods.

Should I retrofit my halogen system or wait and replace the whole thing later?

In most cases, retrofitting sooner is more economical than waiting. Every month your halogen system operates, you are paying significantly higher electricity costs and risking lamp burnouts that leave parts of your property dark. A phased approach is also an option, where we retrofit the lamps and address critical repairs now, then plan a more comprehensive upgrade for fixtures and wiring over the following year or two. This spreads the investment while capturing the energy savings immediately. During your free assessment, we provide honest recommendations based on the actual condition of your system. Call (803) 889-0096 to schedule your evaluation.

Can you add new fixtures or zones to my system during the LED retrofit?

Yes, and the retrofit is actually the ideal time to expand your system. Because LED lamps draw so much less power than halogen, your existing transformer and wiring often have capacity for additional fixtures that would not have been possible with the original halogen load. A transformer that was fully loaded with twenty halogen fixtures at 400 watts can potentially support forty or more LED fixtures at the same total wattage. We can add new zones for areas of your property that were never illuminated, fill in gaps where previous fixtures were removed, or add smart controls and dimming capability that were not available when the original system was installed.