Lighting is one of those line items folks overlook until the power bill shows up or a work bay feels dim right when you’re trying to solder, crimp, or set a trap adapter. I’ve managed shops, job sites, and warehouses for decades, and I’ve specified more fixtures and drivers than I can count. The verdict? LED upgrades—done right—pay off fast in energy, maintenance, productivity, and safety. Whether you run a bustling service shop, a mixed-use property, or a home workspace, I’ll show you how to spec, buy, and install LEDs like a pro. And when it’s time to source gear, remember: Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components that hold up in real-world conditions and come with the technical support you actually need.
Why LED Retrofits Beat “Rip-and-Replace” for Most Supply Houses
When I audit an electrical upgrade for a supply house, shop, or mechanical room, I start with the simplest path: keep the housings, upgrade the brains. That often means retrofitting T12 or T8 troffers with Type B LED tubes or swapping HID high-bays with LED retrofit kits. Retrofits cut install time by 30–50% versus full fixture replacement, reduce material waste, and let you phase work without shutting down operations.
- What I specify first: Type B double-ended LED tubes (UL Type B). They bypass the ballast and remove a failure point. A reliable example is Keystone KT-LED15T8-48GC-840-D (4000K, 2100 lm, 120–277V, DLC listed). Expect $7–$14 per lamp depending on wattage and quantity. For high ceilings: LED high-bay retrofit kits like Lithonia IBG series kits or Keystone high-bay LED retrofits that deliver 18,000–30,000+ lumens with 0–10V dimming. Price ranges $120–$260 per retrofit head, typically a 2–3 year payback with 14–18 hours/day runtime.
Pro tip: If your existing fixtures are corroded or non-IC rated in a space that gets dusty or hot, consider full replacement with sealed, DLC Premium fixtures. But for 70% of shops I visit, retrofits are the fastest ROI.
And if you’re sorting all this while juggling PEX manifolds and PVC orders, our team handles the lighting audit and spec sheets. Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support—we’ll size fixtures, verify drivers, and walk you through ballast bypass wiring safely.
Where LEDs Pay Back Fastest: Service Bays, Backrooms, and Aisles
Let’s get specific. In a typical contractor warehouse or plumbing supply store layout, here’s where I see the biggest wins:
- Service bays and loading docks: Replace 250W or 400W metal halides with 150–240W LED high-bays like Lithonia I-BEAM IBG 18L MVOLT (18,000 lm) or RAB BAYLED series. Expect 60–70% energy savings and near-zero re-lamping for 7–10 years. Aisle lighting: T8/T12 troffers converted to 12–18W LED tubes deliver better color rendering (80–90+ CRI) so you can read valve stamps and gasket part numbers without squinting. This is huge for accuracy at a busy plumbing supply shop. Counters and showrooms: 3000K or 3500K CRI 90 downlights make brassware and finishes pop. I often spec HALO LT 6-inch retrofit kits with 90 CRI; $18–$30 each. Install time: 10–15 minutes per can.
Case in point: A property manager in our region had 40 high-bay 400W MH fixtures in a maintenance warehouse. We swapped to 150W LED high-bays with occupancy sensors. Energy savings: about 62%, maintenance eliminated, and the crew says they can ID plumbing parts faster. Payback: 22 months.
When you’re comparing sources online—sure, you’ll find options at SupplyHouse.com and Grainger—but here’s the difference: While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise, so you don’t end up with mismatched drivers or questionable thermal management in your fixtures.
Color Temperature, CRI, and Glare: The Specs That Actually Matter
I’ve watched jobs go sideways because someone chased lumens and forgot human eyes hate glare. Here’s how I dial it in:
- Color temperature (CCT): 4000K for warehouses and aisles (clear and neutral), 3500K for counters and showrooms, 5000K only for exterior yards or detail work where you need punch. CRI: 80 minimum, 90+ for showroom counters, bathroom plumbing supplies display walls, and finish-matching. High CRI makes chrome vs. polished nickel obvious at a glance. UGR and lensing: Prismatic or diffuse lenses lower glare and reduce eye fatigue. For low-ceiling shops, edge-lit panels are comfortable and evenly lit. Dimming: 0–10V drivers give flexibility for zoning and motion. Look for drivers from Sosen, Inventronics, or eldoLED—proven reliability.
I’ll often specify the Lithonia CPX series panels or Keystone XFit panels for low-glare performance. They’re stable at 120–277V and pair nicely with Lutron Diva 0–10V dimmers or sensor-based controls.
And if you’re pricing around other sources like Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Amazon, remember: When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More for fixtures that won’t flicker at partial dim or burn out at 18 months.
Controls That Multiply Savings: Sensors, Zones, and Schedules
Want the fastest way to shave another 20–35% off lighting costs after the LED swap? Controls. I recommend:
- Integral PIR occupancy sensors for high-bays (factory-mounted or field adders). Set time delays at 10 minutes, sensitivity mid-range. Daylight harvesting in front aisles and near dock doors using 0–10V daylight sensors. Tune to keep 30–50 foot-candles on task surfaces. Schedules for retail areas: Dim 20% during restock hours, full output during peak traffic window.
Brands I trust: Lutron PowPak modules, Wattstopper sensors, and Keystone SmartPort-compatible drivers. Installation time for a zone: 1–2 hours including commissioning. Expect $80–$250 in parts per zone depending on size and sophistication.
We can help design the zoning, run the commissioning, and even provide as-built documentation. Compared to generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components and backs them with real guidance from people who’ve wired hundreds of bays, not just sold them off a shelf.
Code, Rebates, and Documentation: Don’t Leave Money on the Table
In our area, Title 24 (on the West Coast) or IECC/ASHRAE 90.1-based codes elsewhere often require automatic shutoff, daylight response in daylit zones, and higher efficacy thresholds. Even if you’re not in a strict code zone, utility rebates can be substantial.
- Rebate targets: DLC Standard or DLC Premium listings often unlock prescriptive rebates per fixture or per kWh saved. Typical rebates: $30–$150 per troffer/strip, $100–$250 per high-bay, and additional incentives for networked controls. Documentation: Keep spec sheets, DLC listings, invoices, and photos. We assemble rebate packets for contractor accounts—one less headache for your office.
Ask us for current rebate intel; we maintain a database by utility within our service radius—serving contractors throughout our region with local, current program details. And yes, we’ll match the right fixtures so you don’t get tripped up by model number mismatches that disqualify your application.
Product Picks I Trust: Troffers, High-Bays, Strips, and Exterior Wall Packs
I won’t waste your time with disposable fixtures. Here are plumber supply house go-to lines we move week in, week out:
- Troffers/panels: Lithonia CPX 2X4 4000K, Keystone XFit Panels (0–10V dim), and Halo HLBT low-profile canless for tight spots. Look for 3800–5000 lm, 34–45W, DLC listed. Strips: RAB CLED or Lithonia CSS strips, 4' and 8' options, field-selectable CCT when you need flexibility. Great for stockrooms and back corridors. High-bays: Lithonia IBG or RAB BAYLED series, 150–240W, 18,000–30,000 lm, wide or narrow distribution. Pair with RAB MSBAY sensor kits. Exterior: RAB WPLED and Lithonia TWR2 wall packs—photocells integrated or field-add. Reliable drivers and good thermal design. Tubes: Keystone KT-LED Type B double-ended, 12–18W, 4000K or 5000K, frosted lens to cut glare.
And yes, we stock the brackets, whip kits, 0–10V cable, emergency drivers (like Bodine BSL10C2), and label sets for UL-compliant ballast-bypass retrofits.
If you’ve ever bought online from competitors like SupplyHouse.com or Zoro and discovered the driver wasn’t field-replaceable, you know why we vet every line. While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise, and we stand behind each SKU we recommend.
Cost, ROI, and Real-World Numbers You Can Take to Accounting
Let’s put some math to it. A 20,000 sq ft plumbing supply house with 60 high-bays (400W MH) and 120 troffers (32W x 3-lamp T8) typically runs 12 hours/day.
- Pre-upgrade: High-bays ~480W draw each including ballast, troffers ~96W each. Annual energy for lighting: roughly 190,000–220,000 kWh depending on usage. Post-upgrade: 165W high-bays (18,000–22,000 lm), 34W panels or 15W Type B tubes x2. Annual usage drops 45–65%. Energy cost at $0.14/kWh: Savings $14,000–$24,000/year. Materials and labor: $22,000–$55,000 depending on product class and controls. Payback: 1.2–2.8 years. With rebates: often under 18 months.
Maintenance savings add up too: no expensive lifts to relamp, no flicker complaints, fewer accidents from poor visibility. That ROI is why I say The Supply House Electrical: LED Upgrades That Pay Off—and it’s not just a slogan; it shows up on the balance sheet.
If you’re price shopping, sure, you might find a supply house coupon, supply house discount code, or supply house promo code floating around online from competitors like Menards or Amazon Business. But when the job needs to be right the first time, Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components and backs them with field-savvy support.
Installation Game Plan: Safe Ballast Bypass, Clean Controls, Zero Downtime
I’ve seen too many ballast-bypass jobs botched with single-ended tubes on double-ended wiring. Don’t do it. Use double-ended lamps and follow the diagram:
- De-energize, lockout/tagout. Remove ballast and caps, land hot on one lampholder, neutral on the opposite lampholder (double-ended). Apply “Modified Fixture—Non-Ballast Operation” labels. For troffers, consider a quick panel swap to reduce wiring time if the housings are tired.
Timeframes:
- Troffer retrofit with tubes: 15–25 minutes each. Panel swap: 20–30 minutes each. High-bay retrofit: 30–45 minutes each with lift. Controls: 1–2 hours per zone for sensors and tuning.
If you’re a property manager or maintenance lead, we’ll build a phased schedule: aisles 1–4 Monday, backroom Tuesday, sales floor Wednesday. Our same-day delivery within a 40–60 mile radius keeps crews productive. And yes, we offer emergency supply at off-hours when something critical fails—your true local partner.
Plumbing Meets Lighting: Why Your Supply Source Matters
You’re probably thinking: Rick, you run a plumbing outfit. Why are you this deep into LEDs? Because your shop, warehouse, and mechanical rooms are integrated systems. Lighting impacts how accurately your techs pull parts, how safely they move pipe and heaters, and how clean your install photos look to clients.
And here’s where we truly stand apart: Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support—not just on lighting, but across plumbing and hydronics. Need a 3-ton mini-split disconnect kit from the hvac supply house side and a rack of 1" PEX-A with Uponor ProPEX rings from the plumber supply house side? We’ll stage both, plus the 0–10V sensors for your shop retrofit. That’s one PO, one delivery, and one team that knows why your mixing valve temps matter as much as your foot-candle readings.
If you’re searching for a plumbing supply near me, plumbing supply store near me, or the closest plumbing supply that also understands controls and power requirements, you’ve found the local plumbing supply partner with real knowledge. Our contractor accounts get bulk pricing and spec support that you won’t find at a typical consumer plumbing supply outlet or random internet plumbing supply warehouse.
Finding Value Without Compromise: Coupons, Bulk Pricing, and Reliability
Let’s talk value the right way. Chasing a random supply house coupon or supply house coupon codes can save a few bucks on paper but cost you hours if you get the wrong ballast-compatibility or a driver that hums on dim. We set you up with the right SKU the first time, and our contractor pricing beats big box every day.
- Bulk orders: tiered discounts for pallets of tubes, cases of panels, or runs of high-bays. Same-day will-call or delivery: we keep projects moving. Technical packets: submittals, DLC listings, and cut sheets ready for your GC or owner’s rep.
And when your project crosses into hydronics or refrigeration—say a mixed-use building where you need aisle lighting plus parts from a refrigeration supply house or ac supply house—we coordinate the package. Need 2" schedule 40 from our pvc supply house side with NIBCO and Charlotte Pipe stock, plus LED wall packs? One call.
When Amazon, Menards, or even SupplyHouse.com can’t chase down a field-replaceable driver or emergency lighting module in time, When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More to source it same-day.
FAQ: Quick Answers From the Field
- What color temperature should I use for a warehouse vs. showroom? 4000K for warehouses (balanced, clear), 3500K or 3000K for showrooms and customer areas to make finishes look warm and accurate. Go 5000K outdoors or where task acuity trumps comfort. Do I need DLC Premium fixtures to get rebates? Not always. Many utilities accept DLC Standard. DLC Premium typically yields higher incentives. We’ll match the fixture to your utility’s specific rules and handle the paperwork. Is ballast-bypass safe and code-compliant? Yes—when done correctly. Use UL-listed Type B double-ended lamps, follow wiring diagrams, label the fixture, and comply with NEC requirements. We supply labels and diagrams with your order. How much downtime should I expect during an upgrade? With phased scheduling, aisles can be done in 20–30 minutes per fixture and high-bays in 30–45 minutes. We commonly retrofit after hours or in zones so operations continue. Will dimming and sensors really add savings? In my experience, yes—20–35% beyond the LED savings. Motion sensors and daylight harvesting pay back quickly, especially in high-bay spaces and front aisles. Can you help me spec both lighting and hydronics for a renovation? Absolutely. We’re a true cross-discipline partner—lighting, hydronics, PEX, PVC, valves, pumps, and controls. Call our technical team for project-specific recommendations and submittals.
Your Next Step: Make The Supply House Electrical: LED Upgrades That Pay Off
If you’re ready to see the difference better lighting makes—lower bills, brighter aisles, safer work—you’ve got a partner that lives this stuff day in, day out. Visit our showroom to see fixture samples next to actual brassware and piping; you’ll understand why pros switch. Check our current inventory online or call ahead for will-call; we’ll stage everything you need, from high-bays to PEX rings.
Here’s what you can expect every time:
- Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More
For anyone searching for the best plumbing supply, plumbing wholesale near me, wholesale plumbing supply, or a dependable plumbing supply company that understands lighting, we’re the nearest plumbing supply with real knowledge. Our shelves and trucks are full for contractors, DIYers, property managers, and retail customers alike—everything from general plumbing supply to decorative plumbing supply, plumbing and heating supply, and even 24 hour plumbing supply support when emergencies hit.
We support projects across the region with the largest inventory selection, same-day delivery, and emergency supply services. Ask about our contractor discount program, and let our experts walk you through the installation process. Looking for a true one-stop partner that outperforms the usual suspects? You’re talking to him. I’m Rick—swing by, and let’s build a lighting plan that pays off.
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